2015-present BAILEY AUTOGRAPH

Each issue, Gentleman Jack focuses on a great secondhand motorhome. He then reveals which is the best of the bunch, what to pay and which problems to look out for

2022-09-15 -

Bristol-based Bailey was started by former Bristol Aeroplane craftsman Martin Bailey in 1948 and subsequently became a hugely popular producer of touring caravans.

In 2011 the firm decided to produce a range of coachbuilt motorhomes, monikered the Approach SE. This was changed to Approach Autograph as it moved from its only range to become the flagship line-up, with Advance and Alliance joining as value-for-money and mid-market offerings.

Autographs are all wide-bodied (2.41m/7’ 11”) and built on the X290 incarnation of the SEVEL cab, in our case in Graphite Black and Peugeot Boxer guise. Al-Ko provides low-line fully galvanised chassis extensions and independent torsion rear suspension.

Autograph kicked off with a choice of six layouts, all featuring Bailey’s famous Alu-Tech construction, which had the additional benefit of offering the original purchaser a motorhome body-integrity warranty of up to 10 years.

Baby of the range was the 3500kg 540 (5.99m/19’ 8”). This features a half-dinette forward, centrally located kitchen and full-width rear washroom, shower and changing area.

Next up is the 6.64m/21’ 9” 625, with a U-shaped rear lounge.

The 740 models (7.45m/24’ 5”) were the only ones at 3500kg to provide a permanent double bed – in this case, a nearside low-level rear corner one, with the washroom and the walk-in shower alongside. Both will sleep four adults, but the 740 only has two travel seats, whereas the 745 adds another two by changing an inward-facing lounge settee into a half-dinette.

The family favourite six-berth/six travel seat 765 is the same length as the 740, but on the heavier 3850kg chassis. If you fancy a permanent low-level island double bed, the 7.62m/25’ 0” Autograph 730 fits the bill.

The 2017 season saw a change to a white cab and super-low-line Al-Ko chassis. The engine was upgraded, from Ford’s Puma Euro 5 unit to

Pug’s designed and built in-house 2.0-litre Euro 6 160bhp unit.

The 540 and 625 were rested, and the 740 models grew to become 75-2 or 4, depending on numbers of travel seats.

Next up sizewise are the 7.99m/26’ 3” 794 models. The 794 has a rear island double bed, while the 794T satisfied fans of permanent single beds.

Approach Autograph became simply Autograph the following year, although the range remained unchanged. Then 2019 saw a decision to revert to a black cab and a refresh for the graphics.

The most significant changes arrived for 2020, with a very thorough revision of just about everything. This turned a good-but-traditional flagship range into a truly contemporary pacesetter.

A more streamlined overcab profile, a change to dove-grey sides with white skirts and roof cappings, together with a remodelled rear panel featuring LED light towers, plus diamond-cut

16” alloys, transformed the exterior.

The upgrades didn’t end there – new (scratch-resistant) slate-grey worktops and tabletops complemented the latest (more luxurious) soft furnishings and appealing dual-finish locker doors. ‘Bigger or better’ pretty much sums up the kit and white goods uplifts.

Consumer demand eventually led to the reinstatement of the compact U-shaped rear-lounge model, now longer and numbered 69-2.

Another ‘grower’ was the six-berth biggie (now 8.12m/26’ 8”), which was monikered the 81-6.

The rear U-shaped lounge in the 69-2 and 81-6 benefited from the extra body length, as it was now possible to sleep as two singles as well as in a regal-sized all-over double.

Bailey’s Autograph is a superbly well-equipped flagship range, for a mid-market price. What’s not to like?

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Base vehicle

As always, check for a full service history, including evidence of engine drivebelt replacement at the correct time (not mileage) interval. And check the age of the tyres.

The Boxer is a brilliant base vehicle and Ford’s Puma engine is a reliable and spirited unit. Peugeot’s in-house Euro 6 engines are in a different league, though… one of these powers our own coachbuilt and we find it amazingly economical on fuel and equally at home pootling down country lanes or autobahn storming.

Something that is often overlooked – but should be part of the mechanical service - is greasing the Al-Ko chassis.

Conversion

Autograph is built using Bailey’s own Alu-Tech system, which means that it has a well-engineered, structural, interlocking, extruded-aluminium framework, clad in heavy-duty GRP bonded sandwich panels, using no wooden battens.

This makes for a rigid and (usually) completely watertight body. However, the floor has a timber core, so do check it for high moisture levels.

Warranties are transferable to second owners, but the usual caveats apply: yearly habitation services, including a written damp report, must be carried out on time, and don’t forget to let Bailey know the change of ownership.

In common with many other ’van makers, Bailey uses 5p-coin-sized printed veneer self-adhesive screw covers, which can be rather prone to peeling off. Don’t fret, replacements are available from Prima Leisure.

OUR PICK

There really isn’t a lemon among them, so your choice is going to depend on your priorities. We’ve picked out the 69-2 for solo/couples and the 81-6 for families as particularly impressive. Note that a Group C1 driving licence will be required for the 81-6.

WHAT TO PAY

Post-Covid, the market is softening and prices of pre-owned stock are returning to ‘normal’ levels. Autograph models were and are strong sellers when new, so there are plenty around. I found a couple of dozen in under half an hour. Private sales start with asking prices of £42,000-£44,000.

Kimberley Caravans has a low-mileage 2016 Autograph 625 for sale at a sharp £46,000. Equivalent brand-new today is £68,995. Those on a tighter budget are advised to look at earlier Approach SE models, occasionally available from just over £30,000, more commonly at between £32,000 and £35,000.