Volkswagen T2 Bay Window Camper

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Cute as a button in its very smart blue and white paintwork, this 1969 Volkswagen T2 Bay Window Camper came to the UK from America in 2011. Nothing is known of its time over there, although the accompanying Certificate of Title shows that it was registered in Long Beach, California, which might account for its neat and sweet condition.

It is left-hand drive (ideal for European touring), 1,600cc and fitted with a 1974 Westfalia roof conversion. The 8,553 miles showing on the clock are original, but there are almost certainly a whole lot more original miles keeping them company.

The interior is as tidy as the exterior. It has had some retrimming (2016 invoices for door cards, interior trim, rear side panels etc from ‘Just Kampers’ are on file), but the absence of purple gorilla fur is a blessing. The rear seat cover is non-original and the cushions are definitely after-market.

A modern radio has been added, along with a gear-stick extension, and – most importantly – his and hers cup-holders for those who like their coffee on the go. The van is also fitted with accessory sockets for powering Playstations and the like.

There are bills from 2017 for various service items (gaskets, plugs etc) and a Blazecut fire-suppression kit was also fitted. The van has an MOT to 28th September 2019 with a few minor advisories relating to brake pipe corrosion which would be a weekend’s work for the home mechanic.

The van started easily and ran well when our itinerant inspector investigated it on a cold winter’s day. He also reported that the van is only reluctantly offered for sale due to the vendor’s relocation.

All in all, TOR 312G looks like an honest ‘60s survivor, sound mechanically and structurally. It is ready for more touring and family fun – another 50 years perhaps?