Four-berth camper, just missing the mattress for the roof bed option
Stunning restored condition
£22k spent in past three years
THE APPEAL
The VW Type 2 is one of the all-time most famous and recognisable classic vehicles, best-served and enjoyed with accommodation included. This one sleeps up to four and is a ‘Moonraker’ conversion by Devon – a company that made some of the most popular camper conversions of the era. It has a side-hinged pop-top, renowned for its simplicity of use. There’s a rock-and-roll bed in the back and further accommodation for smaller people ‘upstairs’ by adding some roof bed mattresses.
The VW was bought by the vendor in 2018 and has been subject to a comprehensive restoration – it’s had thousands spent and a complete respray after being stripped back and having a number of body repairs, along with a retrim and a full refurbishment of the Moonraker roof system. It’s offered for sale in truly remarkable condition and is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Owned by vendor since 2018
Original RHD UK vehicle
UK V5C
Tax and MOT exempt
MOT until October 2023 despite exemption
Folder of historical bills and invoices from previous ownership
Spreadsheet showing almost £22,000 of expenditure in past three years
All invoices and receipts from current ownership
Haynes workshop manual
THE INTERIOR
Two to Four-berth
Pop-up roof
Devon Moonraker conversion
Sink and hob unit
Electric water pump
12v electrics
Interior redone at cost of over £2,500
The vendor has recently had the interior completely refitted "Westfalia" style by VW Camper Interiors near Leeds. There is a matching table that slides under the rear ceiling locker. All the lockers have backs, rather than show exposed metalwork behind. The gas hob has an ignite switch and the sink has an electric motor to supply the water.
Additional insulation and soundproofing has been added by the vendor, while the roof itself has been refurbished by camper specialists Proud to Pop, retrimmed with new side curtains and hydraulic rams.
Upfront, it has a swivelling passenger seat, while the dash is original and the seat facings have been retrimmed in cream leatherette, while there’s also a modern USB stereo.
One particularly appealing feature is the ‘CSP’ gear selector, a desirable option that gives a much more positive gearchange than on standard Type 2s. It’s also fitted with inertia seat belts to the front seats and lap belts to the rear, while the screen washer has been upgraded to electric.
THE EXTERIOR
Stripped to bare metal and repainted
Any rot cut out and metal refreshed
All new rubbers and seals
Bumpers and wheels shotblasted and repainted
The Type 2 is in fantastic order, having been fully restored by a renowned VW specialist. It was completely stripped and any rot cut out, with new metal let in and a complete respray in the original Savannah Beige. There’s one tiny chip to the paint on the nearside door, which has been touched in, but it’s otherwise near-perfect, while the underside is also flawless.
It has also received new door seals, window rubbers, a new windscreen, Westfalia ventilators, door handles, doorstep, headlight rims and ‘eye lids’, as well as brand new whitewall tyres. Also included is a nearly new awning that slots into a channel on the side of the van for added shelter, plus a complete cover for the entire van.
THE MECHANICS
Completely rebuilt 1,641cc air-cooled engine
New pistons, liners and cylinder head
New driveshafts
Fully overhauled brakes with servo conversion
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 well maintained by the vendor.
The engine was removed, stripped and rebuilt and bored out to 1,641cc from 1,600, with a new cylinder head, pistons and liners. At the same time, the brakes were upgraded and a servo fitted to make it more useable in modern traffic.
A full stainless steel exhaust system is a further plus.
SUMMARY
This is a remarkable Type 2 – a lovely old van that has been subject to a wonderful quality of restoration. It needs nothing at all; it’s simply a beautifully restored Type 2 that’s good to go, ready to be enjoyed as a wonderful family-friendly classic and in terrific structural condition, beautiful inside and out and mechanically excellent. There’s a lot to love…
