Wildgoose flying low: the upper floor is pulled in for the journey
Source: dpa-tmn / Bernhard Filser
The Wildgoose is based on the classic mini van. When it premiered in the 1960s, it was one of the smallest motorhomes ever. Even today, the vintage camping car surprises with its maximum use of space.
Von because of California Dreaming! Of course, everyone thinks of the VW Bulli when they hear old-timers camping and thinks they are listening to hippie music on the Pacific beach. But today the journey through time does not take place in the legendary Samba bus from Wolfsburg. Because we are sitting in the Wildgoose from Worthing.
The wild goose is based on a Mini and when it premiered in the 1960s was a hot candidate for a Guinness Book entry as the world’s smallest motorhome.
“The popularity of the Mini went through the roof at the time,” write the official works chroniclers. “That is why the small car has conquered all areas of mobility – right up to the campsite”.
The Wildgoose was based on the classic Mini Van and was intended for adventurous customers who wanted to push the idea of efficient travel to the max, Mini continues.
Mini Wild Goose is a tiny house on wheels
The new Wildgoose from the county of Surrey cost 998 pounds at the time. But there was also a do-it-yourself version for Knauser for those who didn’t want to part with their little van. Even with the camping structure barely longer than the current Mini, the one-room apartment on wheels is pretty tranquil.
“But basically the Wildgoose embodies exactly that spirit of maximum space utilization that made the Mini famous,” write the British in their Time.news and rave about the fact that this motorhome, like the car, was designed for four people.
The Wildgoose was intended for retirees who wanted to have a good evening in the country. Even their grandchildren will find it difficult to fall asleep on the beds over the fenders. In general, the furniture.
Efficient use of space also applies to the Mini Wildgoose
Source: dpa-tmn / Bernhard Filser
After a few turns of the crank behind the driver’s seat, the roof hums up electrically on chains at the push of a button. So it actually creates headroom in the cabin.
And the front and rear walls then fall into place as if by themselves. But at the latest when setting up, a nerve-wracking puzzle begins with half a dozen cushions, which are sometimes a table and bench and sometimes a bed.
The tea pot is probably one of the most important items on board a British camper like the Wildgoose
Source: dpa-tmn / Bernhard Filser
It’s good that there is at least no luggage in the way. Because that is what the Wildgoose tows on a roof rack above the driver’s cab. On the other hand, kitchen service is almost child’s play.
Because on the left of the built-in cupboard there is a gas burner with the indispensable tea kettle. The British even installed a small sink on the right. The right dishes can be found in the compartments below.
Comfortably out and about in the Wildgoose
In short: Living in the Wildgoose requires certain concessions. And that also applies to driving. Because the Wildgoose not only looks like a mini with a snail shell on its back – it also moves like that.
It is quite possible that the Classic Mini was the king of the curves. But the legendary go-kart feeling cannot be felt in the Wildgoose. This migratory bird loves the long straights, savoring each of them with relish and, above all, for a long time.
But what do you want to expect? A just 0.8 liter four-cylinder with a measly 25 kW / 34 PS is suddenly supposed to drive a car that stretches more area towards the wind than the sailing ships in front of the White Cliffs of Dover?
The motto of the Wildgoose is the maximum amount of space that can be built in a minimum of space
Source: dpa-tmn / Bernhard Filser
And the penthouse has long since been drained and the bungalow above the rear axle has been degraded to a doghouse again, from which the mini-snout peeks out like the head of a British beagle.
The 90 miles per hour, which mark the top in the speedometer, can therefore not be achieved in a dream. And even up to 50 km / h you need so much patience that you almost want to make some tea in the back of the small kitchen.
Only about 60 wildgoose built
Wherever the Wildgoose appears today, it is the absolute eye-catcher – whether on the campsite or in city traffic. And even the shortest photo trip around the BMW Classic Collection in Munich is not possible without a police check, because law enforcement officers are not immune to curiosity.
Who can blame them? After all, the quirky camper is rarer than any super sports car. “Because the Wildgoose did not build much more than 60 copies,” says mini spokesman Andreas Lampka.
His colleague from the Classic workshop knows of just six cars that have survived to this day. That is why the Wildgoose is not only a rarity on the street, but also in the collectors’ fairs and on the used car portals.
The Mini Wildgoose wants to be conducted with care
Source: dpa-tmn / Bernhard Filser
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