・Great original Westfalia interior ・90% original paint with minimal patina ・New engine 12k miles ago ・Pop top canvas replaced 2008 on purchase ・Good, solid, original camper van
The Background
The Type 2, so named as it was the second vehicle Volkswagen would produce, was built from 1967 to 1979. Over those years, the Type 2 did of course evolve, which leads us to the car we have here, a second-generation Type 2. Purists will tell you the earlier, split-screen versions are the ultimate, and that could well be true.
However, the second-generation version had better visibility, and it was slightly more spacious inside. It still had all the requisite charm though, thanks to still being powered by a 1.6 L and 35 kW (48 PS; 47 bhp) engine, which was bigger and more powerful than the one before it. The battery and electrical system were upgraded to 12 volts, making it far more modern and usable.
Wanting the Type 2 to be all things to all drivers, it was of course offered in all kinds of configurations. You could have it as a van, as a bus, as pick up and of course, as a camper. Volkswagen dealers would happily oblige. But of course, such was and indeed, still is the popularity of the Type 2, that many other companies offered conversions.
The king of the campers, for example, was Westfalia. And that's what we have here. A more resolved, better built camper than the Volkswagen factory offering, the Westfalia made the most of the space. It was built well, it was versatile and it was comfortable. To such an extent that this Type 2 is as popular today as it has ever been. The Westfalia is the one to have, make no mistake.
This 1968 VW Bay window is a US import and has been owned by the seller since 2008. She purchased the camper from Kieft & Klok Vintage VW Specialists in Holland. It had just arrived from California and had been in a dry store, unused for ten years so it was in great condition having been in a warm, dry climate.
Kieft & Klok spent the summer getting her road fit and ready to pass an MOT in the UK and fitted a new pop up canvas. The current owner then imported her into the UK on 22-10-08. The majority of the camper is original with the original factory paintwork (she was purchased with dents). The camper was driven to Barcelona (where the owner was working at the time), and later up through Spain and into France, Switzerland, the Alps and Belgium and back to the UK.
There have also been many adventures around UK hotspots such as Devon and Cornwall along with attendance to numerous VW festivals.
The vehicle was purchased with 64,878 miles on the clock, chassis No 238125777. The mileage is now 87,136 but a new Remtec engine was fitted at 75,814 miles (09-09-10) which has done approx. 12,000 miles over the last 11 years.
Due to the owner's career in yachting the vehicle went into storage and was SORN from November 2014 until April 2019. Over the past two years since being back on the road she has only been driven just over 1,000 miles. With this in mind and with a very heavy heart the owner has made the difficult decision to part with the camper.
This camper deserves to take a new owner on more exciting adventures. Despite not requiring one (exempt) she has just passed an MOT and for peace of mind the owner has had an oil change, gearbox oil change, new fuel lines fitted and new rear brake pipes fitted as well as part of the exhaust replaced ready for sale.
The V5C is present along with the V948, plus registration papers from the previous owner in California. There are receipts from when the camper was imported in October 2008 to date for all work carried out at specialist air cooled VW garages such as Kieft and Klok and Southwest Splitz.
There are a few workshop manuals and other items of literature also to go with the vehicle.
The interior furniture of this vehicle is original and the rear is exceptional for its age.
Some of the key features:
- VDO fuel gauge
- Original working radio - Sapphire X ( works without aerial)
- Original ply headlining
- Original front rubber matting
- Original vinyl flooring
- Original door handles 2 front seat belts 3 berth ( hammock canvas is original- needs to be replaced as is torn)
- Rock & roll bed - storage below
- Dining table
- Original paper roll holder
- Original towel holder
- Original and rare round mirror - Pop top canvas used only a handful of times.Great condition ( small patch - see pic. 67)
As you open the sliding door the inside of this camper is the same as it was in 1968.
The cool box/ fridge is on the right and has a two shelf cutlery storage area and a stainless steel sink above ( waste is not connected) covered by a table which opens out, and to the side of this unit is a storage area for condiments and a small pop up table along with an original towel rail.
Opposite this unit is a single seat with storage below for food and cooking utensils and in between the single seat and the sofa/bed is a pop up table.
To the left of the door is a wardrobe which runs full height to the rear of the vehicle. There is useful storage with hooks in the wardrobe area along with a mirror attached to the door and a small thermometer. The bed is an original 3/4 rock and roll bed which is in good working order. Opposite the storage unit there is a spare wheel which has a cover to match the seats and original curtain tracks throughout.
The rear seat and the front seats have some splits to the vinyl covering, these do not affect use in any way and the current owner has simply fitted seat covers but photos are supplied to show the extent of the wear.
Also Included in the sale:
- Winter, breathable cover ( small tear that has been tape repaired)…near base of cover
- Gas stove ( not tested, gas canister not supplied)
- Solar hanging shower ( new and untested)
- Footwell carpet & walkthrough carpet ( to cover original black rubber floor)
- 2x fly screens to cover Louvre windows ( damaged and need repairing. May be beyond repair)
- Curtains for windows ( hand crafted)
- Green windscreen cover/curtain ( attached with poppers - hand crafted & rustic)
- 2x VW Type 2 manuals
- 2x warning triangles
- Selection of minor spare parts
- Spare number plate - 2x cushions
- Small rug
- Red blanket
- 2x hand crafted red seat covers
- Hula hula man….gift from Kieft & Klok ( good luck mascot so he goes with the van)
The majority of paintwork on this vehicle is original factory paintwork apart from the front panel and drivers door. She was bought with the dents down both sides and has purposely not been repaired (as advised by Kieft & Klok).
Due to its history in the warm dry climate of California and then dry storage the underside of this baywindow is in fine condition. All of the garages that have worked on her have commented at how clean & 'rot free' the undercarriage is.
The Westfalia side louvered windows open and close as they should and come with original fly screens, which need some TLC. The two front door seals were replaced in 2008, in Barcelona, but the rear one is beginning to perish. There are some dents on the body work as pictured and there is some corrosion around some of the window seals starting to appear.
The tyres have passed the MOT but they are old and would benefit replacement. The vehicle comes with a winter, breathable cover ( minor tear at base….has been repaired). Unfortunately, the aerial has snapped off recently when the winter cover was removed.
Overall it’s an honest exterior and doesn’t attempt to hide the odd battle scar and patina - it all adds to the character.EXTERIOR.jpeg4.18 MB
The Mechanics
In 2010 the original engine had an incurable oil leak resulting in the fitting of the new Remtec 1600cc engine. It is fitted with a 4 speed gearbox. The whole van was Waxoyled in 2009 and again in 2014 before going into storage in Nov 2014. The bus fires up really well to reveal the classic VW air cooled sounding engine and it runs and drives well.
There are lots of receipts and paperwork for work carried out by VW air cooled specialists including the servicing and any required maintenance.
At 53 years old this lovely Westfalia Bay Window is classed as an “early bay”, with it retaining a lot of its original features, fixtures and fittings, it really is a pleasure to behold in today's market which can be awash with butchered buses and “DIY camper conversions".
Mechanically, the bus has been looked after and post any period of standstill/storage it has been recommissioned and freshened up, add to that a new engine which has only covered 12k since fitting and she is sure to be ready for the next adventure.
The current owner has had 13 years of fun with the vehicle and has had some real adventures covering a number of countries around Europe with stories to tell for each one.
If you're in the market for an early bay, this one surely ticks a lot of boxes. Largely original throughout, mechanically well kept, well loved and well travelled, just like a VW Camper should be.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
