1972 Volkswagen T2 Bay Window Danbury

The seller of this stunning 1972 Volkswagen T2 Danbury Campervan, has owned the vehicle, as stated on the log book, since May 2021. He became the owner after his father sadly passed away in 2012. The van has sat under cover since 2012 until May this year, when it was time to sell the T2. So in reality on the V5 he is the 2nd owner but really it’s only because it had to be transferred into his name.

The seller's father is registered as the first keeper. He purchased the VW in 1974 from a gentleman who, as it turns out, never registered it in his own name. Since then he has pampered, maintained and enjoyed plenty of family holidays in it, as you can tell from the condition. This is a rare find campervan that looks to be wearing the original coat of paint.

After sitting since 2012, the seller has had the van recommissioned to ensure everything is as it should be, ready for the new owner.

The paintwork on the Danbury Campervan looks all original (as his dad owned it, he says that he would have known if it had been taken in anywhere for paintwork). There is some very slight signs of patina, and it really is patina dotted around the body, from light stone chips on the wheel arches and bumpers, to the paint on the edges of the bumpers and body, which has worn through a little from all the polishing it has received over the years.

Starting at the front, this is the only obvious area that we could see with any corrosion. To the top of the front panel on the nearside. This has been touched up in an effort to stop it spreading. The rest of the panel is as you would expect with the VW badge sitting proudly in the centre. There are a couple of stone chips here and there but less than you would think for a 50 year old. The headlights and indicators are in excellent condition with no splits or cracks.

Around to the sides, which all look straight, the door gaps align nice and evenly. Again, just some slight patina to the edges of the panels. The windows all have a VW stamp in them and look to be original, with the window seals in good condition.

Onto the rear, and yes, you guessed it, it’s in excellent order. The tailgate and engine cover are nice and straight with an even panel gap. The bumper is like the front, just some chips to the edges from stones and a little bit thin on the paint in places from polishing.

The best part has to be the pop up roof which is in excellent condition. It lifts up easily to the front and rear. The material is all in good condition, with no visible tears. For the wheels, these have been finished in silver with a chrome VW hub cap. The tyres are quite old but do have good tread remaining.

Inside the Campervan is definitely like stepping back into 1972. All the trim is the original.

The front seats are finished in vinyl and in excellent condition. There are just no real signs of wear to mention, other than those you would usually find on a 30,000 mile vehicle, never mind a 1972 vehicle with just 60,394 miles showing on the odometer.

There is some fraying and wear and tear to two or three of its larger seat covers.

The rear is in exactly the same condition. Some creasing to the fabric of the removable seat covers, the wooden seat frames are all excellent, with the gas bottle living under the seat by the side door, and directly opposite is the sink. Both of these are covered by a wooden panel and cushion. The table is original and in good order just waiting to be sat at. Around the sides are the curtains that are fitted for your privacy when parked up for the night. As you get ready for bed, you simply unroll the bunk beds stored either side of the pop top roof.

Finishing off the rear is the boot compartment, which has the spare wheel mounted to the left hand side in the original cover. A foam floor is fitted and in good condition.

As you look on the underside of the T2, it's apparent that there is no rust to raise any concerns, as the Westy has been rust proofed and is therefore very clean.

The underside of the T2 is in excellent condition, so much so you would think it was a VW from the USA with no corrosion, it really is that good, which for a UK model is brilliant.

The engine does have some damp oil areas, but does not appear to be dripping any oil.

The engine bay is well presented and shows no obvious areas for concern. The engine is the original which has had a recent set of spark plugs, service and tune up in June 2021, as part of the recommissioning. It has also received a carb kit to ensure the correct running of the van. The T2 is lovely to start up with a bit of throttle, and ticks over nice and smoothly.

It is reported to drive as it should. The vendor reports that "changing through the gears is imprecise, particularly at low speed, but once you're familiar with its "feel", the correct gear can generally be found in a timely manner". When it comes to stopping a new set of front calipers, pads and hoses to the front, and new cylinders and hoses to the rear, filled up with fresh brake fluid ensures it stops well.

The highlights for this lovely T2 have to be that it has been owned since 1974, and only covered 60,394 miles, with the last 500 of those since 2006. There is plenty of paperwork for work carried out over the years from VW dealers and independent specialists. There is even an invoice for fitting the radio by a VW dealer for a grand total of £26.16 + vat, including the radio and fitting kit.

It also comes with the original hand book, service book, radio instructions and the Danbury brochure, plus previous MoT certificates.

The keyword here has to be originality, and this Danbury T2 Bay window has it all! Everyone loves a campervan! Let's face it, what can be more fun than just loading up and setting off for a weekend of camping, either at a site or, more popular with classic VW’s, a weekend VW show. It most certainly won't look out of place on any VW show field, just because of the sheer originality, and will certainly grab all the attention amongst the more modern campervans on a campsite. 

Recommissioned and ready for its next adventure, what are you waiting for? The weekend is just around the corner!

We estimate this 1974 VW T2 Danbury will fetch between £16,000 - £21,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor near Chorley in Lancashire; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.