1976 Volkswagen Type 2 Camper

This example of the Bay camper is a 1976 model and, hence, features all the key attributes of the “late Bays” including the high indicators, chunkier, squarer grooved bumpers and bigger oblong rear lights. The camper has been in the same enthusiastic ownership since 2005 and was also reported to have been restored by Dubmonkeys in Tavistock at that time. This tallies with the camper’s recorded colour change from its original green and white to its current red and white livery. The custom, walk through interior and charming candy striped Dormobile pop-top was fitted at that stage, too.

The current owner has used and enjoyed the camper since then, and it has clearly been a valued family member. He and his family have made some unforgettable memories in the camper, enjoying taking it to Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal as well as across the UK for fun and relaxed holidays. During the vendor's ownership the camper has been garaged between trips with him and the family covering around 20,000 miles during their ownership.

Following its professional respray in 2005, this Bay now presents in bright and clean looking red and white livery. Many of the donor vehicles supplied to camper companies left the Hanover factory in utility white with the convertors often adding bright coloured paintwork to the lower body leaving the roof and cabin pillars in heat reflecting white. Red and Orange hues were popular shades for the Bay campers.

With the camper’s restoration now well over 15 years old there are bits and pieces of minor corrosion and bubbling noted and reported. The vendor notes that these include the underside of the cab steps and the nearside rear wheel arch. Our photographer has captured these and a few others for your review. None of these appear significant and certainly don’t detract from the bright and fun look of this charming camper.

When deployed the candy-striped canopy of the Dormobile pop-top adds an additional level of eye-catching camper van style to the Bay, making it hard to not conjure up mental images of melting ice creams and deck chairs behind multi-coloured windbreaks.

The van sits on a set of 14-inch steel wheels finished in silver paintwork. These are fitted with the familiar “chromed and domed” VW embossed hubcaps and accompanying chromed beauty rings. The wheels are shod in a matching set of Event Road 2005 tyres in the correct 185 R14 configuration. The suspension is mildly lowered through a set of Creative Engineering front beam adjusters. A tow bar with single electric and external, 240V campsite hook up point are also noted.

As is often the case with VW campers, another car has kindly donated the velour trimmed, deeply bolstered and high-backed front seats. They seem to originate from the land of the rising sun (early Supra?) and are reported to be as comfortable as they look.

The rest of the cab is brightly trimmed with red corded and edge bound Newton Commercial carpets and clean and vibrantly retrimmed Newton Commercial door cards and front panel covers. The dashboard is standard T2 fare finished in vinyl trimmed deformable foam and black painted lower sections. The three-aperture, twin gauge instrument binnacle, twin spoked steering wheel and “umbrella handle” handbrake are all signature T2 items.

The walkthrough bulkhead allows easy cab access to the rear compartment or the big, sliding side door can be used if it’s not raining. The rear cabin is a bespoke arrangement and very thoughtfully fitted and equipped for comfortable camping. In travelling configuration, the rear cabin is awash with light thanks to the twin roof lights and five, large windows including a Westfalia louvred, opening item. A two-seater bench with two seatbelts provides the accommodation.

In dining configuration, a stowed jump seat unfolds to provide two additional seats and a central dining table fits into the floor mounted housing. At this point the fitted kitchen unit will come into its own. This offers some useful work top together with integrated stainless-steel sink with electric tap. Next to this is fitted a two-burner Smev gas hob with built under grill. A built under, capacious Dometic 3-way fridge is also fitted.

In sleeping configuration, the bench seat transforms into a rock and roll double bed. The Dormobile pop-top provides a roomy, light and bright sleeping compartment with twin adult-sized hammock beds unfolding into it. This set up provides comfortable and fun accommodation for four. Plenty of ventilation is available via the two opening roof lights and two hinged, opaque roof vents. Curtains are fitted to the side windows to aid restful sleep and a complete set of insulated window blinds are also included.

Whist camping, the 240V hook up will take care of your power needs. There is also a split charging system and a leisure battery fitted for a 12V system powering the water tap, gas ignition, led lights and 12V sockets. The power management is courtesy of a Zig CF8 control unit. A useful amount of additional camping equipment is included with the T2 making immediate camping use not just possible, but imperative! This includes a large Bluebird drive-away awning (providing sleeping space for two additional people), Calor butane gas bottle, water jerry can, grey water container, kitchen equipment, awning lights and other useful items, including a 10m 240v power cable.

The T2 has been diligently maintained during its current ownership providing the family with reliable and dependable holiday transport. This example is fitted with the later “AS” type, 1,600cc twin-port, air cooled boxer engine. This was originally rated at around 50bhp and is admired for its reliability and ample parts availability. This one breathes through twin, Weber 34 carburettors and exhales through a brand-new stainless steel exhaust system.

The vendor reports the following recent work: New drive shafts have been fitted along with CV joints, rear wheel bearings, brake cylinders, fuel pump, ignition condenser and front lower arm ball joint dust covers. The vendor reports that the front calipers and steering ancillaries are recent additions too. Clearly, based on its drama free roving, the T2 runs and drives well and reliably and is ready to use immediately.

The engine bay is clean and presentable with many new or recent parts in evidence. The underside of the camper looks to be clean and solid, too. There appears to be plenty of preservative underseal on the floor panels and accompanying cross members. The new exhaust system is also clearly visible under here.

As you will see from our thorough photographic package there is loads of interesting accompanying paperwork included with the T2. This includes the V5 registration document in the name of the owner. This classifies the camper as a historic vehicle and, hence, MoT and VED exempt in the UK.

The remainder of the paperwork incudes earlier MoTs in hard copy, previous tax disks and reams of invoices detailing parts bought for the camper and maintenance work undertaken. Many of these are of an impressively high value and seeming to relate to the 2005 restoration and the subsequent ownership period.

The popularity of the Volkswagen vans, busses and campers has endured right through from the original Type 2 (T1) split screen van right up to the current, hugely expensive models. The T2, Bay Window camper’s stock is definitely on the rise as the original vans have skyrocketed in price over recent years. The Bay Window examples still represent good value in comparison and are significantly better suited to practical and comfortable camper use. They also benefit from lots of support groups, specialist suppliers and parts availability.

This example positively shouts “holiday time” with its bright and breezy presentation, thoughtfully fitted rear cabin and light and spacious pop-top. It really has everything you need for immediate camping adventures for up to four willing participants. Add into this the useful, accompanying camping paraphernalia and well-maintained mechanical order, and you have a charming “holiday on wheels” that almost demands to be immediately bought, used and enjoyed this summer. We estimate that it will sell for between £10,000-£15,000, and it is on offer at no reserve.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Marnhull, Dorset. 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’.