Description
Motodrome are pleased to offer this delightful left hand drive 1965 VW Type 2 splitscreen Sportmobile conversion, finished in it’s original, beautifully-patinated 58 year old paintwork, but with nicely updated interior by ‘Spirit of the 50’s’, and with uprated mechanical specification.
I’ve used this quite extensively since it arrived with us last year (including a couple of camping trips) and it’s been utterly dependable, and never fails to elicit positive comments wherever we’ve parked up.
Great interior specification including
• Roll n roll bed/ seat
• Buddy seat
• 240v hookup
• 12v leisure battery
• Modern power sockets
• All side windows open
• Modern radio/ CD system with amplifier
• Storage drawers and cupboards
Thermal blackout window cover kit
Mechanical spec includes:
• 1641cc twin-port engine from a 1971 model, recently removed and fully overhauled by Clarkes Automotive before being refitted
• Twin Kadron carburettors
• Factory 12v electrics
• Narrowed front beam
• Dropped spindles
• Type 2 Detectives IRS conversion
• Raised steering box
• CSP front disc brake kit
• Firetec extinguisher system
• 15in wheels with ‘Mr Whitewall’ tyres
• Additional gauges
The owner from whom we purchased it had it for 10 years, enjoyed regular camping trips in it, and spent money where it was needed. It’s been regularly serviced by Clarkes Automotive, who are VW specialists. In May 2022 £2, 600 was spent on welding, paint blending and Dinitrol underseal to protect the underside by MJ Fahy Paint and Restoration, due to a previous MOT failure. The welding included the footwell floor on the nearside, offside rear outriggers, rear side front chassis, inner cross member and panel, inner lower front panel, inner sill and inner floor, all of which has been captured in more than 40 photographs, while the original paintwork was kept intact and the small areas of new paint were carefully blended to match the original patina.
Current odometer reading 96000m, and it comes with an absolutely huge history file from new, including the original service book. For further history details, including it’s time in the USA, please scroll to the bottom.
It is of course road tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt.
It’s possibly more of a day van than a camper in that it isn’t fitted with integrated cooker, sink, or fridge, which has an upside of more room , less weight, and less rattles. Lets face it, how often do these bits actually get used in the real world?
I really don’t think you’ll find a nicer example on sale at the moment – it’s gorgeous in every respect, and drives superbly as well. It will stand any inspection in my opinion.
On our own website, you’ll find our usual 2 videos: a walkaround appraisal, and driving impressions, which form part of the description.
Viewing by prior appointment
It was delivered from Wolfsburg to the US as a panel van i. e. no side windows), however it did have an unusual factory spec. in that it was spec’d with deluxe bumpers, overriders, emblems and hubcaps, with the stamped delivery inspection being on the 21 April 1965 at Phil Winslow Motors (VW and Porsche Dealer), Colorado Springs.
The original purchaser of the van was Allied Refrigeration Corporation of Pueblo, Colorado, and their signwriting can still be seen on the offside front door. They fitted the van with a nifty BR12 refrigerator that ran on the 12v system, or on imported 110v or equivalent, where Allied used it for approx. 6 years as their demo vehicle travelling over the US demonstrating its equipment/ services, the rear quarter still has the original plug-in sockets. In 1971 Allied sold the van on to its second owner who owned the van for 24 years until 1995, and eventually sold it on to it’s 3rd owner who then replaced the engine with a 1971 dual port 1600cc, With the uprated engine the van used to run daily up into the Rocky Mountains, with the owner living in Cascade, Colorado, a little canyon mid-way down the UTE pass (hence the stone chips on the front panel, with clear perfect paint behind), it is noted that apparently the van used to happily pass every last one of the lumbering storage sheds (American SUV’s). The van was delivered to Sportmobile for its conversion, which included the truck style camper windows (very similar to those found on Airstreams) with a full rear interior being fitted. The van then subsequently came over to the the UK in 2005
