When John Moore and his sister Dianne went halves in purchasing a 1974 Winnebago Freeway back in 1983, they unknowingly invested in a piece of Australian motor home heritage. Forty two years later, and with over 320,000km travelled, their original Aussie-made Freeway / Winnebago / Avida RV is still going strong - but this surprises no-one since it's an Aussie built Freeway (Later, Winnebago and now Avida RV). Founder Bruce Binns has built his reputation on crafting tough motorhomes that last. John's motorhome is a rare beast however as it is built on the classic Ford F100 chassis of which only a few existed. This motorhome has carried John and his family across countless memorable journeys, and epitomises the timeless allure of motorhome touring. Today, the new Avida Bruny motorhome beautifully echoes the iconic original layout in Johns Winnebago and really showcases how far motorhome design and innovation have come.

The timeless appeal of John’s vintage Winnebago lies in its simplicity, comfort, and enduring practicality. With its rear club lounge, ample living space, and straightforward design without slide-outs, it captured the essence of freedom and functionality. Fast forward to today, and Avida RV has revisited and reinvented this beloved layout in their new Bruny model, a seven-metre motorhome blending spacious design with practical features, built upon the robust Iveco 50-180 chassis.

Like its historic predecessor, the Avida Bruny appeals from the very first glance. Available in both 2-berth and optional 4-berth configurations, it’s perfectly suited for backing up to a view and enjoying the panoramic views afforded by the wrap around windows and the rear dinette seating. Like the old F100, the Iveco chassis features rear-wheel-drive stability but adds dual rear wheels, a tonne more torque and yet can still be driven on a standard car licence. John reckons he would not hesitate to hop into the F100 and drive to Perth (it's already made the trip once) and that confidence and convenience for long-distance tours and spontaneous adventures is stronger than ever in the new Avida RV Bruny.

Where the Avida Bruny really shines in contrast to the classic motorhome layout that inspired it's design is in its modern enhancements. The original over-cab sleeping arrangement has evolved into an innovative, electric roll-down bed with a belt system, quickly transforming the spacious rear lounge area into luxurious sleeping quarters at night. What this means in practical terms is less drag while driving, lower fuel costs and a lower overall height - so less chance of a ding in your roof line from low hanging branches or a fuel station awning - which did add some character to the nearside peak of John's motorhome (John was quick to mention his sister was driving ).

Today, packed with modern features and off-grid capabilities, the Avida Bruny ensures effortless and comfortable journeys. The solar-powered freedom, lithium battery options, and ample fresh, grey, and black water capacities mean longer, more adventurous travels without reliance on external facilities.

Talking with John after our recording stopped, he explained that the original shower configuration in his 1974 model was a solar bag system that you hung outside to warm in the sun and then clipped into the shower inside to enjoy. This is something I personally feel would not pass muster with my wife today. Or at least, I feel I would end up with a bag full of cold water after the first shower was taken.

For those considering the new Bruny, you will be pleased to know that there is a separate shower with almost endless hot water (ok, 100l but that's a plenty) AND a cassette toilet so even if, like John, you mostly use the conveniences at camping grounds and caravan parks, the Bruny is absolutely comfortable when those facilities are not available.

With all the extra torque and power, the Bruny is able to be quite a bit longer than the original design Winnebago and the Avida design team has made good use of the space. The Bruny features a well-equipped kitchen with plenty of bench space, a clever fold-down bench extension, and a modern 4 burner cook top and grill. One of the burners is even electric to save gas when you are plugged into power.

Key specifications for the Avida Bruny include:

• Model: B7042

• Chassis: Iveco 50C-180 or 50C-210

• Exterior Dimensions: 6885mm length, 2340mm width, 3060mm height

• Fresh Water Capacity: 100 litres

• Grey Water Capacity: 100 litres

• Hot Water Capacity: 14 litres

• Drive Type: Rear wheel drive with dual rear wheels

• Engine: 4-cylinder turbo diesel (2998cc, 132kw, 430Nm)

• Transmission: Automatic

• Fuel Capacity: 100 litres

• Licence Requirement: Standard car

To hear John speak makes me want to hit the road and one thing John's story highlights is that Aussie built Avida motorhomes truly are built to last. Yes, they are a significant investment but they offer the potential for adventures and memories for multiple generations. Avida Motorhomes are also well known for defying typical vehicle depreciation. These treasured assets often maintain or even appreciate in value if you keep them long enough. John's vintage model is testament to this, still strong and ready to journey across Australia at a moment’s notice, it's for sale and the asking price of $25,000 makes it a bit of a bargain if you long for simplicity and are on a tight budget.

Of course, if you prefer running hot and cold water, the ability to camp anywhere with a 'leave no trace' capability and love the idea of that classic layout on a brand new Avida RV model with an incredible warranty - now is the time to visit Robert's RV World to inspect the new Bruny because it too, is a beauty!

Robert's RV World have been making motorhome dreams come true since 1968 and over the decades, we have observed that our customers are happiest when exploring and seeing more of the great outdoors. If this sounds like you are you're contemplating retirement or craving spontaneous escapes, the new Bruny motorhome offers a lot of compelling reasons to make it your vehicle of choice to start your motorhome adventure.

From the classic 1974 Winnebago Freeway to the new 2025 innovative Avida Bruny, Australia's motor touring tradition is stronger than ever. If you love the idea of travelling enveloped with simple, modern luxury the Avida Bruny could be the perfect fit!

Give the team a call for a VIP tour of the entire Avida RV Motorhome range today at Robert's RV World - the home of Avida Melbourne.