• 1970 cc engine

• South African import

• A usable classic

The VW campervan has probably become known as one of the most iconic and recognisable van, bus, or pickup ever made. The T1 was released in 1950 with production running until 1967, when the new design T2 came along, the second generation VW T2.

Commonly known as the bay-window, the T2 is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor. The T2 continued to grow in popularity and also development, with VW introducing small and subtle changes every year up until 1973, when this model became known as the late-bay with its high level front indicators, more powerful engine, gear and accelerator linkage improvements and different bumpers.

The late-bay model, the same as we have here, was in production up until 1979.

The seller of this 1977 VW T2 Kombi is the second UK owner. The T2 was imported to the UK from South Africa in 2017, where it was enjoyed for a few years before being sold just a couple of months ago to the vendor.

However, a recent change of plans has come along, in that the grandchildren would also like to embark on a weekend away, and this has meant that something bigger is needed and the T2 is now looking for a new home.

The V5 is present and shows 1 previous UK keeper. The T2 was registered in the UK on the 1st October 2017.

As with a lot of imported vehicles, there is not a lot of paperwork present. The previous keeper has gone to the trouble of getting the data sheet from the Volkswagen AutoMuseum, showing it was built as a right-hand drive Kombi and it was delivered to South Africa in 1977.

There is also an MOT on the T2 which is valid until the 9th September 2022.

Inside the Campervan is definitely like stepping back into 1977. All the trim looks to be the original Devon conversion, who had associations with Volkswagen from 1956 and started carrying out the conversions to the T2’s from 1972.

The front seats are finished in vinyl and do have some signs of wear where the vinyl has split in a few places on the driver’s seat. The passenger seat is in good condition. The dashboard is in good order, there is an intermittent fault reported by the seller with the fuel gauge and speedometer, the odometer showing 54,750 miles, which may change with a little use before the auction ends.

There are some splits in the steering wheel, as often seen on this type and age of steering wheel. The rubber flooring to the cab has been replaced at some point and is therefore in good condition.

The rear is in very good condition, and as mentioned, the original Devon conversion furniture is still in place, with what looks to be the original cushions. Some of these have a little age related wear as you would expect. The furniture looks to be in good condition, with plenty of storage areas to be found, along with a Dudley 2 ring gas hob, which can be covered up and hidden when not in use.

The headlining is in nice condition, with no areas of sagging, and the wooden flooring looks to be in good order. Giving you more space on your camping trips is a Just Kampers spacemaker tunnel awning, complete with the instructions.

The T2 was repainted in yellow with a white roof and a white strip to the waist band before it made the journey over from South Africa. Looking around the T2, the panel gaps look to align as they should to the doors and engine cover. Starting at the front, the front panel is relatively free from any excessive stone chips.

The headlights and indicators look to be in good condition, with no chips or splits to the lenses, and there is a spare wheel fitted to the front with a cover to suit.

Around to the sides, and there is some blistering to the sill on the nearside, and also along the bottom of the sliding door. The chrome door handles look to be in good condition, and there is just some slight tarnishing and pitting to the door mirrors. The side windows appear to be in
good condition, with the rubbers also in good order.

At the rear, again the light lenses are in good condition along with the window. There are a couple of age related marks to the bumper as you would expect. The boot lid and engine cover open up and stay up just as they should.

The steel wheels have been finished in white, with a chrome VW hubcap to finish them off. These look to be in good condition, with just some small surface rust marks to them. The tyres are worn but do have some tread remaining.

This T2 is fitted with the more powerful and usable 1970cc engine, which is coupled to a 4-speed gearbox. The engine is reported to start up as it should, with no unwanted noises coming from the flat-four air-cooled engine. A recent distributor, HT leads and a carburettor have ensured the T2 is running just fine.

The VW is reported by the seller to drive as you would expect, and it pulls well through the gears, again with no noises being reported coming from the transmission. On the braking side of things, the vehicle comes to a halt as it should, with no juddering from the pedal.

What’s not to love with a campervan? You can easily load it up and off you go, touring around the countryside, down to the coast or a classic VW show for the weekend. The possibilities are endless for a nice quick getaway.

There are a couple of areas that need addressing to prevent them getting any worse, but that's part of the fun of owning any classic, right? Ready to be used and enjoyed, where will you be off to in your new campervan.

Notice to bidders