The Rapido Saga

After a history stretching back over nearly 3 decades, and following in the footsteps of such mythical products as the 2 CV or the Solex bicycle, the 34,900th and last Rigid Folding Caravan left the production line. The last page in the history of this exceptional Folding Caravan, which made RAPIDO's name and reputation, had definitely been turned. However, the products created over many years were there to take over and ensure that the RAPIDO Brand lived on.

Indeed this year saw a new phase in the general development of RAPIDO's products as the Caravans and Motor homes were completely reworked in their exterior and interior presentation and decoration.

• The coachwork was given a hammered, white finish decorated with grey and red stripes.
• The caravans were fitted with very large storage compartments located on the tow bar and built into the coachwork.
  

This year again RAPIDO was one step ahead and developed the CLUB models by giving them a shaped front side, made from reinforced polyester, which considerably improved the vehicles' aerodynamics. This was proved by the road tests and wind tunnel tests.
RAPIDO also added yet another new model (the RANDONNEUR 860) to its Motor Home range.

Another Big Year for RAPIDO. After 2 years of research and fine-tuning, RAPIDO joined the big league with its new range of products: the 9 Series A-Class Motor Homes. This range included the RANDONNEUR 910, 920 and 930. A new model with overhead cab was also created : the RANDONNEUR 820, and the CLUB 32T was added to the CLUB range.
RAPIDO became the Low-slung Motor Home market leader for the first time.

RAPIDO became the Leading Vendor of Low-slung vehicles for the 2nd year running.
This season was mainly marked by RAPIDO's refinements to the models in the various ranges (both Caravans and Motor Homes). Although the basic designs were retained, many aspects were improved :

• MOTOR HOMES : capacity of the clean water tanks, on-road heating, living area access door fitted with car lock, comfort of beds improved with slatted bed bases and BULTEX foam (step - 100L refrigerator), etc.
• CARAVANS : exterior lighting, furniture, enamelled kitchen units, awning lighting, etc...
  

For the 3rd year running RAPIDO was the Leading Vendor of Low-slung vehicles.
This year saw another grand unveiling at RAPIDO with the launching of the RANDONNEUR 700, built on a VOLKSWAGEN base, and also the birth of the CLUB 42 CP.

The motor home industry was revolutionised by the discontinuing of the PEUGEOT J5 and CITROEN C25 carriers. These were replaced by the JUMPER, BOXER and FIAT Ducato ranges. RAPIDO of course started to use these new bases for all its models.

For the 4th consecutive year, RAPIDO was Leader in its category (Low-slung vehicles) with a 32.8% market share.

Creation of the RANDONNEUR 870. This season the CLUB range was expanded with the CLUB 31 - 31DL. The 40CA and 40TCA, which came with removable kitchens, also appeared on the scene. The CLUB models' retractable roofs were fitted with picture windows.

For the 5th year in a row, RAPIDO was the Leading Vendor of Low-slung vehicles.
For the first time RAPIDO brought out a new model mid-season, THE RANDONNEUR 740. The "specifications" for this model were simple :

• Less than 6 metres long,
• Permanent bed,
• Ideal for 2 people.

As soon as it was launched this new model was a great success.

This year saw the birth of the RANDONNEUR 744 and 764, built on a FORD Transit base, and also, on a MERCEDES base, the RANDONNEUR 749. As with the other models in the range these new additions were deliberately designed to be "top of the range".

The same layout was therefore now built on 3 different carriers:

• FIAT - PEUGEOT,
• FORD,
• MERCEDES.

This was the year for a major development in Motor Homes. RAPIDO started to make the vehicles' coachwork "All Polyester" for extra strength and easy cleaning.

Creation of the Low-slung RANDONNEUR 779 built on a MERCEDES base and a model with overhead cab, the RANDONNEUR 890.

As for Caravans, the CLUB 44 was launched in its 3 versions: TLM - TLJ and TLF.

This year "POLYGLACE", a very smooth form of polyester, made its debut and had a large impact on the vehicles' appearance.
The range developed, with the abandoning of the 710 on a RENAULT Trafic base and the birth of the 710F on a FIAT base.

The new generation of 9 Series models was introduced and included 3 models : the 923M, the 925M and the 970M.

A change was made to the naming of the models. The 3 models would now be followed by a letter identifying the

• F for FIAT,
• M for MERCEDES,
• T for FORD Transit