1971 Volkswagen T2 Campervan

The seller of this beautiful 1971 Volkswagen T2 Westfalia 4 berth Campervan has owned the vehicle since 2009. He is the first UK owner on the T2, as he purchased it from a company that imports cars from the USA. Originally the car lived in the sunshine state of California which, as we all know, is very dry, and dry weather equals no or very little rust!

The Westy was partially restored when it came to the UK. It had been resprayed and some of the interior was replaced. The seller over the years has altered things slightly to put his own stamp on the VW as everyone does, but never moved far from retaining the OEM look as VW intended. It’s been maintained to a high standard with no expense spared, basically if it’s needed it, it’s had it.

Since getting the T2 the vendor has only covered just under 6,000 miles in his 11 year ownership. He and his family have enjoyed using the 4 berth Westy for camping trips and attending VW shows. The time has come to let the Westy go and be enjoyed by another family for many years to come as the vendor has developed an itch that needs to be scratched with another German marque.

The Westfalia campervan is finished in cream, which was repainted over 10 years ago in California. It has had some odd bits touched up by the seller over the years but in the main it’s still wearing the same paint from California, thus showing signs it was a good van to start with.

Starting at the front of the VW, and the bay window front end is relatively free from any noticeable stone chips. Both the indicators are crack free and headlights are covered with stainless steel grilles to further protect these. Being a USA model the bumper is fitted with overriders and rubber covers to the sides. The windscreen rubber has been replaced and the windscreen is free from any noticeable scratches.

Around to the sides of the Westy, the bus is nice and straight with the door gaps aligning as they should. There are some slight chips on the paint around the door handles, but nothing too serious considering it was painted over 10 years ago. The chrome door mirrors are clean and bright with no corrosion. There is some slight perishing on some of the window rubbers, but this doesn't affect them. Fitted to both sides are the jalousie /louvered windows which open and close as they should. Another USA specification is the side markers which are fitted to the front and rear. The passenger side (offside), has the opening side door which opens and closes nicely and also aligns straight and even. Fitted to the quarter panel air intake is an Earz intake to help get a little more cold air into the air cooled VW. It wouldn't be a camper van without a pop top roof, and this works perfectly, hinged at the front and pops up in seconds.

The rear of the T2 is again nice and clean. The engine bay door and the tailgate align equally, there are an odd couple of chips here and there, but nothing that you wouldn't expect. Overriders are fitted to the rear bumper just like the front and the rear lights are free from any splits. The wheels on the T2 have been painted in body colour and fitted with VW chrome hub caps. These are covered in matching Goodyear tyres that have only covered around 500 miles.

Inside the Westfalia campervan is a nice place to be! It has everything you need for the perfect camping trip away. Westfalia designed the camper well, enabling it to hold four people. Starting in the driver's seat, obviously on the left hand side. The front seats are the originals that have been retrimmed in black vinyl and to keep you safe up front are some beige Securon seat belts. The door cards have been replaced and are in excellent condition. One thing to mention is the passenger window is stuck up at the moment, so this would need investigating to find out why. The T2 retains the rubber matting to the floor in the front of the bus and is carpeted under the front seats. The steering wheel is the original which is covered with leather for extra comfort. On the mileage side, the VDO odometer is showing 14,087, but the vendor believes the mileage to be 114,087. There has been a matching rev counter fitted and also an oil temperature gauge. The dashboard is free from any cracks. There is a slot for a radio to which there are some speakers fitted lower down to the front panel and also under the rear seat. The switchgear all works as it should and the only issue is the fuel gauge does sometimes get stuck or is slow to move. Just under the dash has been finished with a Bambus parcel shelf for a little up front storage. The sides and the roof lining have been ply lined and varnished.

As you enter through the side door the rear of the Westy is fitted out with the Westfalia-Werke-K-G campmobile 70 furniture which is in lovely condition. You have the sink to your right with a cooler box fitted underneath and there is a seat and table that lifts up to store out of the way. For the back seat passengers the black vinyl bench seat has matching seat belts fitted and this also folds down into the double bed. There is storage under seats and behind doors to the side of the camper tucking all your belongings nicely away. Replica Westfalia curtains have been fitted throughout, along with some jail bars to the tailgate. New door seals and sound proofing have been fitted to the T2 to keep it draught free and nice and quiet.

Pop the top and you have a new replica bunk that unfolds and sleeps one. The final sleeping position is over the front seats where a hammock attaches to the window pillars and the door pillar. When not in use the hammock stores away in one of the compartments. Keeping you warm at night is a Propex heater installed under the rear bench.

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.

Inside the engine bay is well presented and the 1600cc twin port engine is fueled by a pair of Dellorto 36 DRLA carburetors, and helping the gasses escape is the Vintage Speed exhaust which sounds brilliant. Approximately six years ago the Westy had a new clutch and fuel tank fitted and in the past four years the calipers, discs and master cylinder have been replaced. The campervan has had a leisure battery fitted with a split charge alternator conversion.

The suspension has been lowered by use of coilovers and Type 2 detectives drop spindles and adjustable spring plates, which has shaved around 4 inches from the ride height, but we think you’ll agree it sits just perfect. There are no untoward noises coming from the engine or the transmission. The vendor reports that the 4-speed gearbox changes nice and smooth and the T2 pulls well through all the gears.

The T2 has had no previous UK owners The vendor has only covered 6,000 miles which the family have loved every mile of. It has also been meticulously maintained by the vendor, even going as far as servicing the bay window every 1,000 miles.

Always nice to see is a nice amount of receipts and invoices for everything that's been spent on the bus over the past 10 years, and also all the old MoT certificates are present. It's all these things that show how well a vehicle has been cared for. Now MoT exempt the last certificate expired on the 16th October 2020.

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 is a weekend VW show.

This sought after 1971 T2 genuine Westfalia is perfect for either and it's ready to go! The vehicle is well presented inside, outside and underside. Resprayed over 10 years ago with just odd bits touched up since then, you can tell it was a good one to start with. It won't look out of place at any VW show and will certainly grab all the attention amongst the more modern campervans on a campsite.

With the prices of T1’s quite high, the T2 bay window is another classic which has a huge following, and what makes this even more appealing is that it's a genuine Westfalia that is still retaining the original furniture. It's pretty much a given that prices will be heading the same way for what's becoming a rare classic in such nice condition.

What are you waiting for? The weekend is just around the corner!

We estimate the T2 Westfalia will fetch between £18,000 - £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’