Transformers still the name of the game

Children of the 80s will remember Transformers, the vehicles that turned into robots.

But in the world of commercial vehicles there’s still a fascination with Transformers – this time the variety turned out by Special Vehicle Projects at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Transformers first spread from the Island when Island Plastics as SVP once was, came to the rescue of the AA by creating a bespoke breakdown vehicle on the Vauxhall Brava pick-up. And since then they have helped transform the Island economy with production just passing the 3,500 mark.

More than 2,000 of these vehicles took to the roads in AA colours and many are still being used by other operators, frequently resprayed to disguise their origins but still giving sterling service.

“Fitting a Transformer can actually enhance resale values of trucks,” says SVP managing director Brian Bailey. “While other tops are a low value, frequently disposable item the Transformer is seen as a valuable add-on and is often the reason for buying the truck in the first place.”

After supplying the AA, which called itself the fourth emergency service, SVP has also fulfilled contracts for fire and ambulance authorities and recently completed another batch of fire engines. Special Forces have also been to the Island to have vehicles built. Utility customers are major buyers and this looks set to expand now the Transformer has gained approval from Nissan for its popular Navara.

“Many people in the construction and allied trades like the Navara and a truck fitted with the Transformer went down a storm at the recent SED 2007 show for the construction industry at Rockingham in Northampton.

“We had hundreds of requests for information, which we are now busy following up, and at the CV Show in April our top displayed on the Nissan stand was described by a leading 4x4 magazine as a star attraction,” added Brian.

A batch of 24 Transformers fitted to the latest Mitsubishi L200 has just left Cowes along with a similar number of Ford Rangers. All have tops matched perfectly in gel coat to their base colour and special shades can also be supplied, with the vehicles prepared by a sister company within the Freeborn Group in Southampton.

Brian estimates that over the last 10 years, the Transformer, along with the company’s Romahome motorhomes, has contributed about £30 million to the Island economy.

“Transferring the boatbuilding skills readily found on the Island to the automotive sector has given SVP a far more durable and attractive product than rivals developed purely in the automotive sector,” added Brian.

“The huge surge in interest in Transformers bodes well for the future.”