An image of freedom, adventure and the open road, the Volkswagen T platform has built an incredible legacy and become more than just an automotive icon.
Highly sought-after, with the early T1 and T2 models being the most desirable, the T platform has become the number one choice for those looking for small-to-medium-sized motorhomes. This association with the campervan life has concreted the recognisable classics as the postcard vehicles for the campervan and as such appeal to enthusiasts, collectors and families that are looking to join what has now become a cult following.
This T2 Bay Window offers a vintage, compact camping solution, with everything from a comfortable fold-out bed to a wine rack and coffee machine. Extensively restored over the course of a year in 2010, which included a bare metal respray to the unique metallic Silverfish silver, this Bay has been the provider of many adventures, near and far. In current ownership since 2010, the beautiful Bay has experienced the British coastline, Scottish highlands and idyllic Italy and has been comprehensively maintained, including a replacement engine and gearbox, upgraded stainless steel exhaust and adjustment to the sliding steel roof system.
Presented in very good condition with a few minor blemishes, this Silverfish is one of the rarest variants of Volkswagens Bay Window, with very few examples of the original 1600 made for the German market believed to be left. Accompanied by folders of paperwork, 3 metre-squared gazebo and a two-part chrome-plated, oak slat roof rack.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Year of manufacture 1978
1 of 1600 limited edition Silverfish models
Originally Germany registered as a luxury minibus
Imported to the UK in 1992
6 previous UK owners
Current ownership since 2010
Extensively restored and converted into a campervan in 2010 by Phoenix Coachworks
Speedometer replaced at 170,863 miles
Extensively maintained with local specialist
Replacement, refurbished 2,000cc Twin Cam engine fitted in 2016
Replacement, refurbished gearbox fitted 2017
Numerous invoices present for general servicing & maintenance
Receipts for parts and bodywork
Itemised breakdown of 2010-2011 restoration
THE INTERIOR
Good condition with small signs of use
Campervan conversion
Front seats upholstery retrimmed to Newton Commercial blue leather and in good condition
Oak furniture
Front passenger swivel and recline seat
Full width rock & roll bed (1.9m x 1.45m)
Leisure battery
240v Electrics
Polco 500w inverter
Frigidaire 240v fridge
Nespresso coffee machine (mains operation only)
Brightspark single ring Butane cooker
SMEV Sink with 12L Freshwater belly tank under driver's seat
Whale hand pump/filter
A small safe located to the rear
A second ignition lock is located in the rear
Oak table which can be stored in the roof above the bed
Roof-mounted LED Lights
Rear storage nets
Seaside striped curtains
Alpine radio and cd player, with 2 speakers located in the front and two in the front face of the bed
USB/12v charging ports
Smiths electronic speedometer
Clock based on Pakistani Air Force Altimeter
Oak gearknob
Noise Killer sound deadening lined throughout the vehicle
THE EXTERIOR
Attractive classic camper
Tasteful and kept original
Presented very well
Small age-related blemishes
Bare metal restoration in 2010
7 coats of primer, 4 coats of diamond silver, 4 coats of lacquer
Stainless steel bumpers
Stainless steel headlight surrounds
Stainless steel hubcaps
Stainless steel exhaust
Single aluminium side step
Sliding steel roof, with renewed cables - Two-part chrome-plated, oak slat roof rack.
Scratch to the roof
Rear glass panel scratched
Small paint blemishes to the driver's door
Light patina around the vehicle
Underside regularly waxoyled
Garage stored
THE MECHANICS
2,000cc Air-cooled Flat-four
Refurbished engine fitted in July 2016
Twin-Carbs specialist tuned
Electronic ignition
Manual transmission
Refurbished gearbox fitted 2017
Comprehensively maintained with numerous receipts to support
Blazecut T3 automatic fire extinguisher
CTEK battery charger
240v mains hookup
Reported to start easily & perform well
Driven and enjoyed for long and short journeys over a 13-year period
SUMMARY
A rare Bay Window that has been meticulously maintained and cared for. Used over a 13 year period for long and short camping trips both domestically and in Europe, this Silverfish has been an incredible companion and the memories created will never be forgotten.
It is regrettably being sold but its time on the open road is not over yet and thanks to its cherished ownership it offers immediate enjoyment and many, many years of freedom searching fun.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1978 Volkswagen T2 Silverfish Bay Window Campervan LHD
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you\'re able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
