In 1947 the Dutch company Ames (Ames Campers Dordrecht) , started to import Volkswagen’s in to Holland, primarily for sales; however they also had commercial vehicle workshops in order to fulfil customer requirements in terms of customisation of the interiors of VW buses. As demand for the new Bay Window Westfalia camping conversion started to rise, Ames realised that they covert standard Volkswagen transporters to campers cheaper than importing the expensive Westfalia (westy).
Ames called there new VW creation the Amescador and built it (as far as we can tell), from 1968 through to 1978. The Amescador was available with several different roof styles including the standard Westfalia pop-top and a fixed high-top roof which ran for two-thirds of the length of the vehicle.
Now the funny part of the conversion (which had me in tears),is the extremely strange sleeping arrangements. As usual there was a double bed that was made by placing various boards over the main living area (not a rock & roll bed), and then rearranging the seating cushions for a mattress. However, the unique feature was that there was two double beds; the second of which was made by opening the tailgate hatch, and pulling out an extension board. We know what you are thinking , that means that you would be hanging out of the vehicle. Well the Ames Amescador got around this by having a very strange tent arrangement that clipped on to the rear end of the bus. So the user slept half inside and half outside!
The hob and sink unit was behind the passenger seat, next to the sliding door and extra storage such as cupboards and wardrobe where one this side as well just further towards the rear of the vehicle. Its not the greatest pic, but just look at that tent!
©Class Campers 2007