Campervan Converter in Chichester, West Sussex
Free Spirit Campervans is a West Sussex-based specialist in luxury compact campervan conversions, exclusively importing premium Japanese vehicles.
Free Spirit Campervans is a UK-based specialist in luxury compact campervan conversions, operating with over two decades of experience. The company distinguishes itself by exclusively importing premium, low-mileage automatic petrol vehicles from Japan, such as the Nissan Elgrand, Mazda Bongo, and Mercedes Viano, rather than converting ex-commercial vans. This approach ensures a high-quality base vehicle that is ULEZ compliant and offers a smooth, quiet driving experience.
Their expertise lies in transforming these imported vehicles into bespoke, comfortable, and highly functional homes on wheels. Free Spirit Campervans offers both ready-to-drive converted campervans and vehicles available for full customisation, allowing customers to tailor interiors with choices of upholstery, finishes, and practical features like bespoke beds, clever storage solutions, and integrated kitchenettes. The company emphasizes creating multi-use campervans that are practical for everyday driving, school runs, and shopping trips, as well as spontaneous weekend escapes and long European tours.
Beyond the initial sale, Free Spirit Campervans provides comprehensive aftercare, including ongoing servicing, warranty support, and expert advice. Their commitment to quality craftsmanship, honest guidance, and customer satisfaction has earned them a strong reputation, with a focus on building lasting relationships with their clients. The company encourages prospective buyers to visit their showroom in Chichester, West Sussex, to experience the quality of their conversions firsthand and discuss their individual travel needs.
Reviewed by Joe Tannorella · updated May 2026 · Listing on camperbrain.com
Customers consistently praise the excellent build quality and workmanship of their campervan conversions, leading to strong recommendations. While some note initial wait times and the need to chase updates, they find the customer service, particularly under new ownership, to be fantastic and helpful with any issues.
Is 2026 the year you are going to get the campervan you have always dreamed of? Free Spirit is where you need to go! Ian, Adrian and Craig are so helpful, friendly and professional! They have converted a van into everything I hoped a camper would be - and more! The quality of the build is exceptional and the aftercare service absolutely superb. You will need to wait for your chosen vehicle to be converted, but you'll come away with your perfect camper, looking how you want it to, kitted out how you have chosen.... and knowing that this fantastic team is on the end of the phone if you need them. When I went to look around, I was given a warm welcome, really informative no-sales-pressure chat, and it quickly became apparent that these guys were the right team to start our adventures with. Highly recommended!! Very proud to be the owner of a Free Spirit Campervan!
High quality Campervan combined with excellent customer service made my recent purchase from Free Spirit Campervans very enjoyable. They led me through all the options very professionally and I was able to customise the van to exactly meet my needs. Ian and Adrian provided superb advice from the initial meeting to the operating instructions when we collected the van, all was as described and despite the weather, I have made good use of the van since my purchase in December. The Mercedes Viano is a great base vehicle for the conversion and the quality of the modifications matches the inherent high end characteristics already fitted. I had a few minor issues after collection and these were quickly sorted out under warranty. Overall, the service provided by all at Free Spirit made a big difference to my experience and I felt like we were joining a like minded campervan club rather than a daunting car purchase. If you are looking for some great advice and a high end quality campervan, then this is the place I would recommend.
Free Spirit Campervans focuses on three specific models. They are specialists in converting the Mazda Bongo, Nissan Elgrand, and Mercedes Viano. These vehicles are chosen for their reliable engines, spacious interiors, and comfortable drive. With over a decade of experience, the company possesses deep expertise with these particular vans, ensuring high-quality builds and knowledgeable aftercare service.
The company sources all its base vehicles directly from southern Japan. This is a deliberate choice. Roads in that region are unsalted during winter, which means the imported vans are corrosion-free and typically have low mileage. Free Spirit Campervans uses its extensive experience to select only the best-condition vehicles, ensuring a solid and reliable foundation for every conversion project.
Yes, customization is a core part of the service. Free Spirit Campervans performs all conversion work on-site at its West Sussex workshop. This hands-on approach allows customers to tailor vehicles to their specific tastes. As a result, you can select unique upholstery fabrics and different wood finishes for the [handcrafted cabinetry](/services/carpentry), making each campervan as individual as its owner.
Tell them what you're looking for and they'll be in touch directly.
Is this your business?
Claiming is free — enquiries start on a paid plan.
A year later and I'm still totally in awe of the superb Nissan Elgrand I bought from Free Spirit Campervans in Chichester. She's immaculate and drives like a dream:) The whole buying process, handover and aftercare service is excellent, with Ian and his team being informative, timely, friendly and professional. I thoroughly recommend them to everyone, especially when showing off my lovely purchase:)
Delighted with our Mercedes Viano camper van conversion. We picked it up in April 2021 and did have to wait a while. The build quality of the conversion is excellent though and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend Free Spirit to anyone. It's interesting reading through the various reviews. Some we can relate to; others not. We went down to see them in August last year and found the yard to be exactly as the web site photos. Rupert has a very high stock turnover so whilst the models differed to the ones shown and the price we paid varied slightly it was in line with what we were expecting. We were impressed with the build quality of what we saw and as we've come to learn, Rupert is a very busy person and delightfully chaotic at times, so we were shown round by one of the guys in the yard as well as Rupert and given all the time we needed. We had everything explained to us and selected a couple of options; heater, swivel front seat and curtains. We put the deposit down in August and then had to wait a while due to Covid. The vehicle was MoT'd and registered without any issues. The vehicles are all Japanese imports. I did have to ring quite a bit to chase how things were going but as this was over a Covid lockdown and the winter period, I wasn't particularly bothered. The van looked stunning when I picked it up and all the paperwork was sorted out without bother. There were no surprises, though I did have a couple of faults that needed to be corrected, a washer bottle cap had perished and the rear wiper motor had failed. I returned in the van and these were changed without any quibble whilst I waited. The base vehicle comes with a no quibble warranty and the conversion itself 12 months. I haven't met anyone yet who isn't impressed with the quality of workmanship with this conversion. Yes, it's not cheap but a T5 or T6 would easily be another £10,000. So, I would recommend Free Spirit, but be prepared to wait. The clue's in the title of the company! By way of an edit, the firm is in new ownership now and the team have been fantastic in helping with things since. I was there this week to have a repair done and they couldn’t have been more helpful. Thoroughly recommended!
We are delighted with our Nissan Elgrand camper. The finish is awesome and we enjoy showing it off to anyone who wants to look. The guys at Free Spirit were really nice, friendly and helpful. They have great after care, ready to answer questions big and small and to follow up on all of our queries.
Delighted with our Mercedes Viano camper van conversion. We picked it up in April 2021 and did have to wait a while. The build quality of the conversion is excellent though and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Free Spirit to anyone. It’s interesting reading through the various reviews. Some we can relate to; others not. We went down to see them in August last year and found the yard to be exactly as the web site photos. Rupert has a very high stock turnover so whilst the models differed to the ones shown and the price we paid varied slightly it was in line with what we were expecting. We were impressed with the build quality of what we saw and as we’ve come to learn, Rupert is a very busy person and delightfully chaotic at times, so we were shown round by one of the guys in the yard as well as Rupert and given all the time we needed. We had everything explained to us and selected a couple of options; heater, swivel front seat and curtains. We put the deposit down in August and then had to wait a while due to Covid. The vehicle was MoT’d and registered without any issues. The vehicles are all Japanese imports. I did have to ring quite a bit to chase how things were going but as this was over a Covid lockdown and the winter period, I wasn’t particularly bothered. The van looked stunning when I picked it up and all the paperwork was sorted out without bother. There were no surprises, though I did have a couple of faults that needed to be corrected, a washer bottle cap had perished and the rear wiper motor had failed. I returned in the van and these were changed without any quibble whilst I waited. The base vehicle comes with a no quibble warranty and the conversion itself 12 months. I haven’t met anyone yet who isn’t impressed with the quality of workmanship with this conversion. Yes, it’s not cheap but a T5 or T6 would easily be another £10,000. So, I would recommend Free Spirit, but be prepared to wait. The clue’s in the title of the company! By way of an edit, the firm is in new ownership now and the team have been fantastic in helping with things since. I was there this week to have a repair done and they couldn’t have been more helpful. Thoroughly recommended!
Every campervan sold by Free Spirit Campervans comes ready for the road. They provide a comprehensive package to ensure peace of mind from day one. This includes a recent MOT, a full vehicle service, and a comprehensive warranty. The company handles all necessary checks and preparations, so you can drive away knowing the vehicle is safe, reliable, and protected.
Yes, the company operates full workshop facilities for ongoing support. Free Spirit Campervans provides comprehensive aftercare for the vehicles they specialize in. Their services include routine servicing, MOTs, diagnostics, and [general repairs](/services/repairs-servicing). This deep familiarity with Mazda Bongos, Nissan Elgrands, and Mercedes Vianos means they can maintain and repair these specific campervans to a very high standard.
Yes, all campervans sold by Free Spirit Campervans meet ULEZ requirements. The company specifically sources automatic petrol vehicles for its conversions. This choice ensures that the finished campervans are compliant with the Ultra Low Emission Zone standards. As a result, owners can travel into London and other restricted areas without incurring daily charges for emissions.
The company offers a [personalized import service](/services/van-sourcing). If you have specific requirements for a vehicle, Free Spirit Campervans can source one to order. They have access to a large database of import vehicles available in both the UK and Japan. This allows them to find a base van that matches a customer's desired specifications before beginning the bespoke conversion process.
Yes, Free Spirit Campervans provides full dealership facilities, which includes accepting part-exchanges. Customers can trade in their current vehicle towards the purchase of a new campervan. This service simplifies the buying process, allowing for a seamless transition into a new adventure vehicle. The company can provide a valuation and manage all the necessary paperwork for the exchange.