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The Austin 152 and its Morris J2 twin deserve to be remembered for many reasons. In 1956, they were BMC’s first unitary-construction vans and familiar sights long after production ended in 1967. And they also provided the basis for some delightful motor caravans, such as Steve’s Paralanian motor home

Central Garage Ltd. of Bradford introduced the Paralanian in 1957; the name derives from their operations in Parrys Lane. The coachwork was inspired by the Works’ Director Clifford Hobson, who applied his wartime experience with Motor Torpedo Boats to the project. The company’s goal was to create ‘The Aristocrat of Camper Vans’ and their secretary even advised on interior fabrics.

As Central had been Austin dealers for many years the logical choice of base vehicle was the 152. ‘Your Car and Mobile Home Rolled into One’ was rather an expensive prospect at £1, 150, but a 1958 change in the law meant that campers were now exempt from Purchase Tax. Besides, the elaborately furnished interior helped to persuade buyers that this was no mere utility vehicle but a home from home.

Advertisements for the Paralanian rather wonderfully promised ‘dignity and luxury’ plus ‘Every amenity for gracious living’. This was not so far from the truth for as Steve points out of his Austin - ‘everything is there - sink cooker and a ’fridge’. The last-named item was by no means guaranteed in a domestic kitchen in the early 1960s. You could even specify an optional bath.  

Central Garage changed hands in 1965, and any surviving Paralanian is now a most desirable machine. Steve came by his example in March 2018:

“We had seen one at Ace Classics in Leeds and, unbeknownst to me, my wife trawled websites to find one. There was about half a ton of spares in the back, and it was running from a fuel can on the passenger seat. The seller was able to deliver her to us; he bought her from the auction in Bicester.”

As for the Austin’s road manners, Steve finds driving it to be ‘an “experience”. Someone quipped “bet it’s not good on corners”. Well, it’s not brilliant on the straight either. However, “to be fair, once motoring it’s not too bad”. The unorthodox transmission presented one slight challenge – “the gears are the wrong way round which I didn’t know initially”. 

BMC never intended the J2 to offer brisk performance, but the post-1961 models are powered by the 1,622cc B-Series engine rather than the 1,489cc plant of the earlier models. However, Mr. Tennick still does not wish to attempt more than 50 mph in his Paralanian.  Fortunately, he is guaranteed warmth when the 152 is in motion due to an engine bay located between the front seats.

Steve has not yet enjoyed the delights of Paralanian holiday accommodation; one of his tasks for this year will be preparing it for use as a camper. “She went to several shows in 2018 including event city in Manchester where we got Edd China to sign the dashboard; no way could he get in though”.

Ultimately, the Paralanian’s main appeal is 1963-vintage history on wheels; an Austin that represented freedom to many Britons. After all, who would opt for the typical seaside boarding house when they could holiday in a mobile front parlour? Especially one decorated in the manner of a semi-detached villa somewhere in Woking.

WITH THANKS TO: STEVE TENNICK

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