1976 Volkswagen TYPE 2 CAMPER VAN

In the care of the vendor for the past quarter-of-a-century, this is a genuine right-hand-drive Type 2 Dormobile that has been converted into a bespoke campervan over the years.

Showing just six former keepers, it’s been the vendor’s constant companion on many an adventure and is, he tells, us “just finished in time to sell it!”. They know their Type 2’s having bought and learnt from two “significantly rougher” examples previously.

Beautifully finished and possibly the most practical example to pass through our hands, it’s being offered with a very sensible reserve just in time for you to enjoy what’s left of the eased-lockdown summer.

The green paintwork is an unusual but very attractive hue that’s been applied with more than the usual skill; still in fine fettle after all these years, it has a glossy shine to it that speaks of lengthy pre-paint preparation followed by many hours of painting and flatting to bring it to this condition.

The flanks are remarkably straight and the rest of the body panels are similarly impressive. “It’s not tacky, but clean and sharp”, said the boss after inspecting it.

The black bumpers co-ordinate with the cover for the spare wheel, headlamp rims, air intake and door handles. The colour scheme comes together wonderfully and speaks of impeccable taste.

As does the contrasting white Dormobile roof, which rises and falls as it should and is in a good condition. The green and white fabric looks to be in good order and the skylights, two of which open for extra ventilation, flood the interior with light. The sliding door has an opening window in it as well.

A set of Thule roof bars and a roof cage, plus a rear-mounted Fiamma bike rack and a car cover, are included in the sale.

The 15-inch BRM Speedwell (Porsche-style) wheels are in great shape and shod with matching Hankook Kinergy Eco tyres, all of which have good tread.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

As with the interior, little details abound like the scoops on the rear air intake. Easter eggs like these go to the heart of the quality of the conversion and the fact that it’s a home-built bespoke conversion endears it to us even more.

There are perhaps four or five little rust bubbles, most noticeably on the offside front wheel arch, the middle of the engine cover and underneath the windscreen. None look to be especially problematic but they will need sorting out before they develop into a problem.

A campervan lives (and dies…) by the quality and usability of its interior. And the bad news is that this is a home-built conversion rather than one from an established company like Westfalia.

The good news is that it’s probably even more practical than the original Dormobile conversion and at least as well finished. Modified by the vendor over the years to reflect his needs, it displays a rare talent and a high degree of woodworking skill.

Built primarily of high-quality plywood, which gives an airy Scandinavian feel, the general fit-and-finish is exceptional. But, it’s the thought with which it has been constructed that has impressed us the most.

Little details like the new flowered curtains, hessian carpets in the cockpit and on the firewall, a centre cubby box with cupholders, built in lighting and myriad storage areas all go to show that this is a campervan that has been built by someone who understands the needs of the modern ‘vanner.

The twin-burner cooker has a grille and the two gas cylinders sit in a custom-built cabinet. It can be used inside or outside (as the vendor puts it: “no-one wants their campervan stinking of cooking, do they?”) and one of the rear seats can be configured so it’s in front of the cooker or next to the table. The foldaway table seats four.

The electrical system has been fitted with both a split-charge system and a proper consumer unit for mains hook-up. A Zig control unit monitors the power and allows switching between the systems, and a GS Neptune leisure battery provides 12-volt power for off-grid camping.

A Propex gas-powered interior heater provides warmth on cold evenings and the control unit sits on the dashboard in front of the passenger. The campervan’s all-season versatility is further reinforced by the dash-mounted 12-volt auxiliary heater and a full set of thermal blinds. These blinds tuck behind the new curtains and keep the ‘van warm or cool, depending on the season.

Other joyful details include the front seats, which the vendor bought as having come from a Porsche. Recovered, they’re wonderfully comfortable and supportive and far nicer than the factory items.

A very comfortable full-width double bed can be made out of the rear seats (all three of which have seat belts) and it has a recent Dunlopillo mattress, which the vendor recalls cost him around £700. There are also two hammock-like singles in the roof.

There’s an EMPI gear lever in there too plus drilled door handles and a quality Maystar alarm system. Music comes via a Pioneer DAB head unit and four matching speakers. Extra instrumentation comprises an oil temperature gauge and a voltmeter.

Oh, and there’s a secret cubbyhole built into the campervan. There to hide valuables, we’ll only disclose its location to the winning bidder for obvious reasons…

The engine is a 1.8-litre refurbished Gold T4 engine fitted with twin Weber 40 carburettors, an upgraded blue coil, electronic ignition, and a Bosch 009 distributor. It also has fan boosters, a new alternator and regulator.

Serviced only 200 miles ago, it’s running and driving exactly as it should. The vendor drove it over from Essex for the auction.

The engine bay, which is very clean, has a built-in fire suppression system and an electrical cut-off switch, both of which seem like sensible upgrades to us. Neither would’ve been cheap and the fact that the vendor went to the trouble and expense of fitting them says only good things.

The underside appears to be solid and strong but we have spotted a rust hole, and a day with a wire brush and a can of quality underseal would be a worthwhile investment.

The VW’s MOT certificate expired in December 2018 so it doesn’t have a current MOT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age we would strongly encourage the new owner to have the car re-MOT’d at the earliest. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

It also comes with a number of expired MOT certificates plus a Haynes’ manual and two keys.

Sadly, other than the expired MOT certificates, the VW doesn’t have any paperwork so potential bidders will need to set their budget based on its current condition and the owners’ 25 years of love, rather than being able to rely on an extensive paper trail to guide them. The vendors embarked on this build with the intention of keeping it, rather than selling, another reason for the lack of paperwork diligence.

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.

And please be reassured, we’ve undertaken a full COVID-assessment and put into place strict control measure to enable us to safely facilitate a no-contact, socially distanced viewing that includes disinfection of the vehicle before and after your viewing.

However, if you’d rather not come to see the car in person, please give us a call and we can shoot a personal video of the car honing in on any areas you’d like us to concentrate on.

There has been a resurgence of interest in classic campervans recently, partly fueled by nostalgia but mainly because they’re so practical; this example is stuffed full of clever little features that maximize the space available to give sensible living and sleeping space for up to four people in a tiny footprint.

That practicality makes itself felt in other areas too; as a much-sought after T2 campervan it has probably finished depreciating, which might make the cost of ownership much more reasonable than you think as there is always a strong market for genuine, well-cared-for examples - and this one is as solid as most and better than many; we’ve sold a few over the years and this is one of the very nicest we’ve ever seen.

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 £17,000 and £26,000, 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 given the continual need to carry out a few simple jobs on it to tidy it up, there’s the chance to add value too, which is always a pleasant bonus.

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’.