There is only just room in John Jarrett’s garage for the ’75 VW Devon Eurovette and ’70 Beetle that, between them, have covered 300,000 miles in his ownership.
Every spare inch along the walls is crammed with a collection of vintage bicycles, with more packed into three garden sheds and a cellar.
And while the Volkswagens played a pivotal role in the carefree life of a family who thought nothing of heading off in the camper with no particular place to go, they have been usurped in Jarrett’s affections by his two-wheeled first love.
John Jarrett and his well-travelled Volkswagen Devon camper
“I’m more into the bikes than the cars now,” says the 73-year-old, chatting in his kitchen and occasionally interrupted by a screaming cuckoo clock.
“I ought to get rid of the VWs. I need the space… I need some more bikes.”
His wife Mary rolls her eyes, well used to her husband returning from local auctions with another addition to join the Raleighs, Hetchins and Bates bought for anything from £2 to £200.
“He’s even got them from fly-tipping by the side of the road,” she says. “He’ll see something and say, ‘I’ve got to go back and get that.’”
Jarrett’s vintage bicycles are slowly pushing his classic Volkswagens out of the garage
