Car designer Peter Stevens, legendary creator of the McLaren F1, recently shared the unlikely inspiration behind one of his most unexpected projects. “I was working away from home in Coventry and staying in a very basic hotel,” Stevens recalls. “There wasn’t even a chair in my room. So, one evening, I’m sitting on my bed eating a takeaway and feeling quite depressed when I thought: I know, I’ll buy a camper van with all mod cons, park it in the car park of the firm I’m working at and sleep in that instead!”
This moment of hotel-induced despair would eventually lead to Stevens transforming a classic Ford Transit into something extraordinary.
From Supercars to Vans: An Unlikely Journey
Stevens’ portfolio reads like a greatest hits of automotive design. The McLaren F1, Jaguar XJR-15, Lotus Elan ‘M100’, Lotus ‘X180’ Esprit, and the 1999 Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR all bear his signature. Yet here he was, contemplating life in a motorhome rather than demanding luxury accommodation.
“There are some people who like being designers and some who like designing,” Stevens explains with characteristic pragmatism. “I’m the latter. I certainly don’t expect special treatment. In any case, living in the motorhome gave me ideas for the project I was working on.”
The eBay Lounge Project
That project was designing the interior of a Mk1 Ford Transit, specifically an event vehicle commissioned by eBay to promote car parts availability on their platform. Dubbed the “eBay Lounge,” this wasn’t just any commercial vehicle conversion.
The donor vehicle had quite a history. Originally a German fire service Transit registered in 1975, it was carefully restored and converted by Coventry-based Envisage Group. Having worked with Stevens previously, they recognized him as the perfect candidate to reimagine the van’s interior space.
Respecting Heritage While Innovating
This year marks the Ford Transit’s 60th anniversary, a milestone that could have tempted eBay toward flashy, attention-grabbing modifications. Instead, the project demonstrated remarkable restraint and respect for the original design philosophy.
Rather than overwhelming the classic Transit with modern gimmicks, Stevens and the team preserved the vehicle’s authentic character while enhancing its functionality. The interior transformation reflects the same attention to detail that made Stevens’ supercars legendary, proving that great design principles apply regardless of the vehicle’s intended purpose.
Design Philosophy Across Platforms
Stevens’ approach to the Transit project exemplifies his broader design philosophy. Whether crafting the world’s fastest production car or converting a utilitarian van, the fundamentals remain consistent: form following function, respect for the original concept, and creating spaces that genuinely serve their users.
The eBay Lounge stands as testament to Stevens’ versatility and his belief that every design challenge deserves serious consideration, regardless of scale or prestige.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired Peter Stevens to work on a Ford Transit?
A: A miserable night in a basic hotel room sparked the idea of living in a well-equipped motorhome.
Q: What is the eBay Lounge?
A: A converted 1975 Ford Transit designed by Stevens to promote eBay’s car parts marketplace.
Q: Did Stevens modify the exterior of the Transit?
A: No, the project focused on interior design while respecting the original 1975 specification.
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