Sprinter Westy? Well, the name “Airstream Sprinter Westfalia” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Which is a shame, because this van is a great example of how to fit a family of four and all the amenities into a 140″ Mercedes Sprinter camper van.
Ian Stock’s “Cookie” is a 2006 Sprinter Airstream Westfalia, one of only 250 in the US. The van, known as the Westfalia James Cook in Europe, was imported by Airstream for the 2005 and 2006 model years, modified with some American creature comforts like air conditioning, and re-branded.
It’s 11′ tall – a drawback for driving over 60mph and for windy freeways, but definitely what gives it a spacious feeling inside on such a short wheelbase. It’s innovative layout allows three very unusual things for an RV this size:
1) Both beds can be set up, and inhabitants can still get around inside without crawling over seats, beds, etc.
2) Even with occupants seated in the front dining/living room, others can still get by into the kitchen area, bathroom or upper bed.
3) It sleeps 4 on two full-size beds.
Unfortunately, the van was perhaps too small and pricy for the tastes of the average American RVer (retail was about $75K), so today the Sprinter Westy is a rarity Stateside. However, in Europe the Westfalia James Cook has been very popular – in June 2010 it was voted the best small motorhome for the 12th year running. At a base price of 72,000 Euros, it’s not the everyman’s camper that the Volkswagen Westfalia camper was in the US, but times change…
Westfalia had a brief brush with bankruptcy in Jan 2010, but it seems many orders are on its books once again, not only for the well-equipped Westfalia James Cook, but also for the Westfalia Sven Hedin, another innovative small RV on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
Gallery – Sprinter Airstream Westfalia
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Comments on this entry are closed.