1962 Volkswagen Camper (split screen)

First registered on the 16th of February 1962, this split-screen campervan is the ideal blank canvas for someone looking to change the direction of their life, something we know an awful lot of you are going through this year.

MOT’d despite not needing it, something that’s always a good sign, it’s ready to use as a day van or campervan straight away but could also be refined and refitted over time to better suit whatever purpose you’d like it to fulfill.

Sold with a very sensible reserve price and only available due to a Covid-related and unforeseen change of circumstances, this is your chance to get your hands on a genuine right-hand-drive Splittie for what is likely to be sensible money.

As a genuine split-screen, its charm lies in its classic looks and early build date. Hugely sought-after, a ‘Splittie’ like this rekindles childhood memories, helps you make new friends, and ensures you will be greeted with warmth and affability wherever you go; buying one really does open doors and acts as your passport to the peripatetic lifestyle so many of us yearn for.

Of course, as is always the case with these vehicles, a vehicle of this age will have had its share of bodywork over the years and this one is no exception. The most recent works were carried out in 2013 by Volksfarmers when it fettled some areas and fitted opening rear windows, and October 2018 when A.M. Autos did some welding to both front inner sills.

The result is a smart looking example with a wonderfully retro vibe to it thanks to its two-tone Duck Egg and white colour scheme. There’s plenty of chrome too, which lifts it still further.

The 15-inch Speedwell alloy wheels are a little jaded but they’re undamaged and what corrosion there is is limited in scope so refurbishing them would be cheap and easy. They’re shod with good tyres too, Bridgestone on the front and Dayton on the rear.

Problems? Well, as you can see from the photos, the rear bumper is a little wonky with a noticeable droop to its offside corner. That said it, like the front one, has a painted overrider and there’s a useful towbar at the back, too.

Of course, there is some surface corrosion to be dealt with but the last MOT test identified this as being only cosmetic at the moment (“Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced”) so catching it should be straightforward.

More seriously, there’s some corrosion and rust around the windscreen that looks like it will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

The interior is, like every other VW campervan we have ever seen, wonderful in its ability to cram so much versatility into such a small place. Hugely ingenious, it manages to allow two people to live, eat, and sleep within a tiny footprint.

The three-person rear bench seat has seatbelts for all and folds down to make a comfortable double bed. The two front seats are just as well trimmed and finished in the same material as the rear. All are comfortable and in a good condition.

There’s a wicker picnic basket to keep the cutlery and crockery safe and neatly organised, plus a small chest of drawers and a useful wooden box for storage.

A split-charging kit has been fitted in addition to the wiring necessary to allow the van to be hooked up to a 240V power supply. The rear seat has also been fitted with a pair of speakers to enable you to listen to music via the modern high-power headunit as you relax back there.

Clean and undamaged curtains add some much-needed privacy, and the good headlining and floor covering add a touch of civility. The floor is lower between the seats to facilitate movement between the forward cabin and the living space too, a largely unnoticed feature that adds greatly to its day-to-day usability.

Work to do? Well, that depends on how motivated you are; we can see that most people will want to arrest the surface corrosion on the floor in the driving compartment plus, perhaps, refit a couple of rubber bungs and have a general tidy up in there.

As for the rest, most people would be happy to leave it as it is but then most people don’t have the motivation to buy a split-screen campervan, do they?

Therefore, it’s almost inevitable that the winning bidder will disappear down the rabbit hole and end up titivating and modifying it to better meet their personal needs and attitudes towards originality and gadgets.

Which is exactly as it should be, obviously.

A new Vega engine and clutch were fitted in 2009 and the engine was dressed in 2011. The engine bay is neatly presented and the VW starts promptly and runs and drives so well that it prompted our man in the office to describe it as running “like a sewing machine”.

The underside has had some welding over the years, but it looks reasonably solid and has been protected with a thick coat of underseal.

The VW’s MOT certificate is valid until October 2021. It also has a number of expired MOT certificates plus a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

There has been a resurgence of interest in classic campervans recently, partly fueled by nostalgia but mainly because they’re so practical; that a split-screen like this has probably finished depreciating only adds to its considerable appeal as it should make the cost of ownership much more reasonable than you think.

They’re also tough and reliable and can be repaired by a chimpanzee with a multitool and a hammer, an important consideration if you intend to wander off the beaten track and away from the main dealer network.

As to what it is worth, we think this one will sell for between £13,000 and £18,000, which is staggeringly good value: Remember, the true cost of owning a vehicle can only be accurately measured after you’ve sold it, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t return a small profit in the long-term given regular servicing and a modicum of care and improvement.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.