Universally recognised, the VW Type 2 is one of the all-time classic vehicles, best-served and appreciated with accommodation thrown in. This one sleeps four and has a fascinating history, having had just two owners from new, the current one being a South African national who bought the van when it was just six years’ old.
It has been a part of his family ever since and is now offered for sale because, having moved to the UK and brought it with him, he’s found he’s not really using it all, and with a VW Beetle project to finish off he’s decided it’s time for the Kombi to find a new home. The van is a Westfalia conversion, based on a South African-built Type 2 that was manufactured under licence in the country.
It's a wonderful old thing with an incredible background behind it. It even comes with the original bill of sale. It has never been restored.
Inside, the Type 2 is cleverly laid out with a fold-out double bed and a smaller twin hammock bed that clips into place over the driver and passenger seats. It’s equipped with everything, including the kitchen sink.
The van was originally a Westfalia conversion, with a pop-up tent-top and a fold-out dining table. It comes with multiple storage cupboards and retains its original floors and curtains.
To extend the space on offer, the van also has a pull-out Easi-Awn awning, complete with a ground sheet, ideal for increasing the living area or even providing extra sleeping capacity.
Upfront, everything is in good order, with the seats protected since 1979 by the same covers and a period Telerad radio-cassette player – a well-known South African brand that still delivers remarkably good sound quality. Everything works except the odometer, which stopped working in 2018 at 107,000km – the vendor believes that the van has covered less than 200 miles since and says the only reason it hasn’t been repaired is in case a British buyer wants to fit an mph speedo instead.
Given that all of the paint and panels are original, the Type 2 is in fantastic order, the only minor faults being a small repair to the driver’s door from when the van was broken into many years ago, and a couple of tiny scuffs and marks around the body. It has always been kept in secure storage and the vendor – a former professional sailor – has always been very particular about looking after his things. The Volkswagen is proof of that.
It's in lovely condition, with all of the chrome renewed a few years ago. He has also fitted new Westfalia decals and had the roof pods repainted to avoid discolouration.
The Type 2 starts on the button with a distinctive air-cooled clatter and settles to a smooth idle almost instantly. It’s a great runner and has been fastidiously maintained by the vendor.
In 1993, the engine suffered a terminal failure, so the owner took the opportunity to have it replaced with a more powerful unit – the invoice is in the van’s history file. He believes the engine is a 2.0-litre unit with a high-profile cam but can’t wholly remember, though he’s the first to admit it’s still no performance machine!
In all other respects it drives perfectly, with good steering and brakes and no issues reported with the transmission.
This is truly wonderful – not only is it the perfect Type 2 Kombi camper, but it’s also one that’s totally original, unrestored and has never been messed with. It has an incredible story to tell, having been the vendor’s family bus as a young man, a father and later in life.
He’s travelled around Africa in it, taken it on family holidays and brought it to the UK with him, but has now decided it’s time to bid a fond farewell to a vehicle that has been with him for two thirds of his life. It’ll be an emotional farewell, but whoever buys it will get themselves a fabulous vehicle.
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.
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1973 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi Camper
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