1969 Volkswagen Campervan T2 Westfalia

We know this camper.

It has passed our way before.

Back then, it was in fabulous condition, the ‘fabulousness’ owing quite a lot to a life spent mainly in Arizona, where salty slush is something of a rarity.

It made its way back to our shores in 2014, and was looked-after diligently by its then owner until the vendor bought it in 2021.

He planned trips to the beach and impromptu overnight stays but, as is often the way with these things, life and work got in the way and he found himself not using the vehicle sufficiently.

Hence the sale today.

The van has been kept in a dehumidified and heated garage since 2021 and has always been fed by a trickle charger.

It starts on the button and goes, handles and stops in line with your expectations.

The vendor says, “Being pernickety, I guess it could do with having the timing and fuel mixture ‘checked, but that's not to say it’s not running correctly – it’s just usually done as part of the maintenance on all my classic cars.”

It is reassuringly free of any creaks, rattles, sighs or groans, suggesting that Gunther and Wolfgang had done a good day’s work when they waved it goodbye from the production line in 1969.

Above all, it’s really very original and authentic.

The camper presents very well from every angle and there are no dinks, dents or other aberrations of any consequence anywhere that we can see.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are obediently Germanic in their alignment, precision and consistency.

Overall, the cream paint is also in very good order, with plenty of glossy shine and lustre on show.

The van had a complete ceramic treatment last June and driving it down to us was the first time it was exposed to the elements.

The vendor has tackled some bubbling around the front screen by taking out the window, dealing with the errant oxidisation, repairing any holes, painting the surround and replacing the window. A thoroughly good job, too, by the look of it.

There is a little paint pot in the glove box, for any non-main panel touch-ins should the new owner require.

The wheels are in fine fettle, not least because they are wearing four new chrome hub caps.

Faults are very few and far between and even entirely standard stone chips and light scratches are more conspicuous by their absence than their presence, with just a few paint chips on the leading edges of the doors and the odd tiny scuff here and there.

There’s a small touch-up mark above the front grille and we spotted a few patches of surface rust at either end of the front bumper. We also found some surface rust in the lower seams of the sills on both sides and there are a couple of outbreaks of nascent bubbling in the lower corners of two wheel-arches – but it’s all very minor.

There’s a split to the rubber tread section at the nearside of the front bumper and, on the nearside ‘B’ pillar a small paint chip into which has crept a little surface rust.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings look good to us.

The interior of this Westfalia is finished to a very high standard and makes it a very inviting place and somewhere you’ll want to spend some quality time.

Everything works, as far as we’re aware. The only thing that’s slightly problematic at present is the driver’s door window, which is very tight in its track and reluctant to go down. This could no doubt be easily adjusted.

All electrical outlets are UK spec, including external power source sockets, etc.

The cream seats at the front are seemingly untroubled by the passage of time.

Their grey counterparts in the rear are equally impressive, although there is some discolouration to the vinyl on the rear seat/bed backrest.

The carpets, mats, door cards and headlining are all good, as are the attractive grey/white/cream checked curtains.

The roof tent looks almost new as well, folding and opening as it should.

The steering wheel, gear selector and other controls are all in very good order.

As far as we’re aware, all knobs, buttons, switches, dials and toggles do what they’re supposed to do.

There are some cracks to the dashboard vinyl behind the passenger-side grab handle, plus a split to the vinyl beneath the radio.

The wood and ‘wood effect’ elements are in good condition and there’s plenty of storage space tucked away inside panels, under seats and elsewhere.

The camper even comes with a very much of-the-era tartan carrying bag for your picnic Thermos flasks.

Cute, eh?

An oil change was carried out in September, at which time the plug gaps and points were also checked.

The undersides seem to be well preserved and everything we can see appears to have plenty of structural integrity.

There’s not much to see inside a camper engine bay, but what’s visible looks fine to us.

The vendor is in the hotel industry and has a fleet of cars (Rolls-Royces, among others) as part of both his hospitality offering and his private collection.

These cars, including the camper, are serviced, maintained and fettled centrally by a trusted auto mechanic.

The car comes with an MoT certificate - with no advisories - that’s valid until 4.2.26.

The car comes with two sets of keys, a recent HPI report, a full zipping van cover and an MoT – with no advisories whatsoever – that’s valid until 15.1.26.

Most right-thinking people love the idea of a VW campervan, particularly one that dates from the 60s or 70s.

Well, this absolutely cracking example shares its birth year with Woodstock and Neil Armstrong taking one small step on our behalf.

Who wouldn’t want a piece of that history?

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £18,000 - £23,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.