Highlights

• A very well-presented Bay Window T2 in hard-to-find panel van configuration
• A seemingly lightly used and very solid example of this UK supplied van
• Ready to use and enjoy as it is or a sound basis for further conversion

The Appeal

This example is a UK supplied, factory right hand drive panel van. A sought-after configuration that has become scarce due to the, often, harder lives led by these true commercial vehicles. Despite that, this example seems to have been very lightly used and presents in a very solid and straight condition. It would make a great promotional vehicle or a fine blank canvas for day van or camper conversion.

The History and Paperwork

• This bay window panel van was manufactured in 1979
• It is a UK specification and supplied vehicle in factory right hand drive
• The first owner kept the van for 13 years
• Two further owners followed in quick succession
• The previous owner acquired the van in 1999
• This owner retained the panel van until the current owner bought in in 2021
• During its previous ownership the van recorded three MOT passes
• This suggests that the van may have spent extended periods in storage
• The MOTs were passed in 2012, 2017 and 2018 and all were advisory free
• The mileages recorded were 18,875; 18,890 and 19,655 respectively
• The current owner bought the van at auction
• He had spent around three years looking for a suitable panel van version
• Due to ill health the van has hardly been used in his tenure
• The available paperwork is limited to the current V5 in the name of the owner
• As a Historic Vehicle the van is MOT and VED exempt in the UK
• Two, original keys are also included

The Interior

• This example features a very good-looking if somewhat spartan interior
• The cab is fitted with a pair of non-standard seats
• These are thought to come from another VW model
• They are finished in a combination of corded fabric and vinyl
• These are finished in complimentary brown hues and are in very good order
• The seats are surprisingly comfortable and are fitted with headrests
• The cabin floor is fitted with a black, hard wearing fitted rubber mat
• The door cards appear original and are finished in brown vinyl
• The dashboard is familiar Volkswagen fare
• A pair of white on black instruments sit ahead of the driver
• The original, large twin spoke steering wheel is fitted
• A double USB charging point has been fitted under the dashboard
• A period looking radio cassette head unit is fitted and working
• This powers twin, surface mounted speakers in the footwells
• The original headlining and sun visors are present and correct 
• The rear compartment can be accessed from the cab via a walk-through bulkhead
• Access is also available via the nearside sliding door
• The upward opening rear hatch can also be utilised
• The rear compartment’s floor has been lined with ply 
• This is currently covered with a carpet offcut 
• The van sides and floor are seemingly free from dents or dings

The Exterior

• This T2 is presented in bright and gleaming Neptune Blue
• It seems that the T2 has enjoyed a professional respray at some point
• The finish is appropriately smooth and thick
• No chips, scratches or corrosion was noted
• The bodywork looks great, too, with no significant areas of concern found
• The van sits on a regulation set of steel wheels
• These are 14-inch items, painted black and fitted with chrome hubs and beauty rings
• These are fitted with a matching set of Hankook Vantra tyres
• These were fitted in the current ownership and are, hence, hardly used
• These are in a 185 R14 configuration
• The signature sliding side door is present and slides easily
• The cabin glass looks to be original and in good order
• All light lenses are complete and in a fine, overall condition
• A gutter mounted galvanised quarter roof rack is also included

The Mechanics

• Our example features the 1.6L Type 2 flat four boxer engine
• This features dual intake ports on each cylinder
• In original form this engine was rated at around 50bhp
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed, manual gearbox
• The van has been recently fitted with a new battery and a more modern distributor
• The van started and idled very well during our visit
• The owner attests to it driving very well and being surprisingly spritely
• The engine bay can be accessed from via the lower rear hatch
• The condition in here looks very good
• The walls of the engine bay look to be clean and original
• On the underside, the chassis rails look well preserved
• Outriggers and floors all look clean and well preserved for the age of vehicle
• The owner reports a recent full service at VW Specialists RM Motorsport

Summary