Volkswagen T2 Bay Window 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.

As the VW Heritage Certificate confirms, this factory RHD T2 was built in May 1975 for the UK market and retains its original engine making it a 'matching numbers' machine. Invoices on file show that it was restored in 2008 with many new parts and it still looks great today in its baby blue and white livery with funky whitewall tyres. Recently fitted with a new Empi quickshift kit and aluminium side steps, it was also treated to a major service in November 2018 which cost over £1,000 at trade rates and it has only covered 75 miles since.

Starting promptly and driving nicely as we moved it around for these photos, it is packed with all the kit you need for camping and has a handy luggage rack on the roof for additional cargo capacity. Nine old MOTs back to 2007 show that it has covered some 44,000 miles in the last dozen years, the odometer currently showing just under 82,200 miles and the current MOT running to November 2019 with no advisories recorded. A most attractive T2 all round, it is ready for yet more touring adventures in the hands of a fortunate new owner.