Martin Walter was founded in 1773 supplying harnesses for horses and then building carriages and coaches. They moved onto automobile coachwork and supplied bodies to Vauxhall, Daimler, Rolls-Royce and other manufacturers. One of their products was the Wingham Cabriolet which was fitted on a number of chassis. Abbey Coachworks merged with Martin walter in 1937 and one of their products was aircraft chairs. Martin Walter also put windows in vans to produce Estate cars and utility vehicles for Ford, Morris and other manufacturers. But it was their work with Bedford vehicles, and especially the Bedford CA Van with beds and cookers in that created the 'Dormobile' name as a brand for Martin Walter.