Volkswagen T2 Camper

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When Volkswagen launched its Transporter in March 1950, it probably wasn’t aware of what it had really started.

Firstly, this was the beginning of the ‘forward control’ minivan, but secondly, it was the start of a new religion. What was to VW simply the T2 (the T1 being the Beetle) would become to many a way of life. The Kombi/Bus/Camper would be hand-painted with flowers, stuck with no-nukes/peace stickers, stuffed with surf boards/guitars/children and driven all over the planet.

Though it might not look it, the T2 actually used the Beetle floorpan and 94.5-inch wheelbase, though the track was wider. It took the car’s standard, rear-mounted air-cooled boxer engine and four-speed transaxle, though a steep 5.13:1 final-drive ratio gave it greater low-gear grunt. Myriad versions proliferated – from flatbeds to ambulances – and all have a habit of congregating at numerous Dub Fests across the globe.

This eye-catching 1972 Camper was bought by the vendor 14 years ago when she too was smitten by the urge to join the VeeDub cult. As luck would have it, her dad just happens to be a classic car restorer of some repute so he was soon persuaded to set to work on the van and turn it into the Cadbury shrine that daughter had always wanted (oh well, it takes all sorts – or is that Bassetts?).

As you can see the work has been done to a very high standard and the van, which was originally green and white, now really stands out from the crowd in its purple metal-flake finish and cunning Cadbury/Campervan-themed interior. Fitted with many new panels and as good underneath as it is up top, it also has new brakes, tyres, suspension, lights, door and window seals etc.

To give it a bit more poke, the 1,600cc engine was also fully rebuilt with new bores and pistons to bring it to 1,640cc along with a new carburettor and alternator, the whole restoration process being documented by many photos on file.

Filled with all the luxuries you might need including a new 3/4 rock n roll bed, leisure battery and hook-up, fridge, bespoke wine rack and a flip-down DVD/CD player with remote control and Pioneer amplifiers, it also has leather-trimmed front seats from a Jaguar XJS. To prove how smart it is, it even won a trophy for ‘Best Interior’ at a local classic car show in 2016.

Said to drive as well as it looks, the van has only covered about 3,000 miles since the restoration was completed and has an MOT until August 2019 with no advisories recorded.

Only reluctantly for sale to fund a first step onto the housing ladder, this Camper needs to be seen to be fully appreciated and is being offered here at considerably less than it would cost to have all this work done by anyone other than a benevolent relative. Good old dad...