The Ultimate black out

Australia might have whipped New Zealand in the recent World Cup cricket final, but that hasn’t stopped one keen, cashed-up Kiwi from ordering an Australian-built off-road caravan in his favourite 'All Blacks' national sporting colours.

“This is a custom order for a New Zealand client,” said Utimate Campers’ National Sales and Marketing Manager, Simon Don, referring to the one-off, jet black Nautilus camper that took centre stage on the Ultimate stand at this year’s NSW Caravan & Camping Supershow.

Don said the owner already had a big collection of all black, big boys’ toys, including a motorhome, boat and pick-up truck, before deciding he wanted a hardcore camper in matching colours.

“He liked the Nautilus, and asked if we could build him one to suit the rest of his fleet,” Don explained.

“It matches his black cars, and boat and the black barn he keeps them in, so he’s right into it.”

Rather than opting for the much easier and less permanent option of a vinyl wrap, the exterior features a much more expensive, automotive-style, two-pack finish in matte black paint.

“It was a big undertaking trying to get that finish. It’s got a few coats on there,” he said.

“There’s black gel coat for the fibreglass (body panels) underneath, then black paint over the top of that, then clear coat on top of that.”

While we were unable to get a sneak peek of the unfinished interior, Don assured Caravancampingsales that the stealth black theme had been carried right through inside.

“Inside, the carcass is black; all the drawers, the floor, the roof. There’s a nice dark upgraded leather lounge, and dark brown roof-lining, so it’s a really good looking trailer.”

While black carbon fibre is already used for construction of the standard Nautilus as well as items like benchtops, other parts like the black, roof-mounted air-conditioning unit had to be specially sourced.

“We changed a lot of the fittings inside. We’ve had to source a lot of new gear just to get it in the colours he wants.”

Like the standard Nautilus the front nosecone and underbody are protected by PPC Raptor urethane coating, but in black rather than white or grey.

All up, the all-black treatment has added a substantial premium of around $55,000 to the already premium priced Nautilus, for a final price tag of around $170,000.

The new owner plans to pick up his stealth camper from the Moruya, NSW factory in about three weeks’ time, after it's completed. ??And in case you were wondering, there’s little chance a Nautilus ‘Mad Max’ edition will be added to Ultimate’s regular model list.

“It’s a custom order in this colour, we’re certainly not going to go into black production,” Don said.