Highlights

Original left-hand drive Swedish import
Equipped for camping with folding bed, picnic table and sink
Upgraded with 12-volt electrics and electronic ignition
Double barn door

The Appeal

Few vehicles have a following quite like the Volkswagen Type 2. It is at once a sort of home-from-home, a mobile social club and a dependable family friend, not to mention a highly attractive piece of mid-century design. The first generation – the famous ‘Split-Screen’ – was introduced for 1950 and continued with minimal changes until 1967.

Originally built in panel-van and Microbus variants, Volkswagen soon spotted the potential for the Type 2 to also function as a kind of self-propelled holiday chalet, camping holidays being popular at the time and an all-in-one campervan having several obvious advantages over a car and caravan combination. From 1951, it commissioned Westfalia-Werke to undertake the conversions, and before long many other specialist coachbuilders were also offering their own versions on the theme.

This handsome Split-Screen camper is a fine example indeed, having been imported from Sweden in 2010. Charmingly presented and in a very useable condition, with the rare double barn door configuration, a folding bed, picnic table and sink, it’s ideally suited to short camping holidays or weekends away at car shows, Volkswagen gatherings or the Goodwood Revival.

In the present ownership since 2017, it already has a number of camping holidays under its belt, and has shown itself quite capable of covering long distances, on one occasion driving from Kent to Liverpool and back. A very original and correct example, it benefits from just a few subtle modifications such as a 12-volt conversion and electronic ignition.

The History and Paperwork

Originally manufactured between 1st August and 31st December 1965
Imported into Britain from Sweden and registered with the DVLA in 2010
Purchased by the vendor, the van’s second British owner, in 2017 and used for several camping trips
Offered for sale with the current V5, various papers from the DVLA and Swedish authorities pertaining to import and registration, a dating certificate from the Volkswagen Owners’ Club of Great Britain, and a handful of digital invoices

The Interior

Lovely, functional condition throughout
Rear bench seat folds into a bed
Also contains a small table, cupboards and sink

Stepping into this Volkswagen feels refreshingly like a step back in time to an age when everything was simpler. Simple as it is, it still contains everything you could need for a relaxing weekend away, and it’s all presented in a pleasant environment of pastel colours and light wood.

To look first at the driver’s cabin, all appears in good order, with the vinyl bench seat and the uncluttered dash both in excellent condition. There may be a few slight marks and general age-related patina here and there but, unless you’re looking for a concours car, it’s hard to fault. The general condition of everything else is equally pleasing – the door cards, steering wheel, carpets and so on are clean, well-presented and very satisfying.

In the living space, we find another bench seat also in excellent condition, plus a removable table, a set of cupboards and a convenient sink. The whole package, from the cloth headlining to the linoleum floor, has, again, been kept very clean and makes for a very pleasant space in which to base yourself while exploring the great outdoors. While the table and cupboards are not original items from the 1960s, their neutral finish gives the interior a pleasingly ageless feel. Removing the table enables the seat to fold flat, giving you your bed for the night.

If you’re travelling with a young family, you may be pleased to know that lap belts have been fitted for the rear seat, and are of modern manufacture but period style, and they can be neatly concealed under the seat cushion when not in use.

A useful modification has been made in the floor panel of the rear section above the engine. A small hole has been cut, which grants access to the fuel tank.

The Exterior

Appears to be an older restoration in original period colours
Very good but not concours – ideally suited both to shows and general use
Very solid underside

If, like us, you lament the fact that the beautiful pastel colours which were everywhere in the 1950s and ’60s appear so seldom in modern life, this Volkswagen is just the sort of thing you need with its cheerful two-tone livery.

Its condition is strongly suggestive of an older restoration which has been well cared-for, although it is now showing its age in places. For the most part, the paintwork is in very good condition, but there are few cracks in the paint here and there, and a few small chips and marks on the bumpers. Overall, though, it’s appearance is excellent and it would certainly attract its share of admirers at any car show. In particular, the waistline divider strip is an attractive addition borrowed from Volkswagen’s top-of-the-range Samba microbus. We are not certain whether or not it would have been retrofitted, but it certainly gives the van an extra something.

In places, the chrome has a certain patina and there is a small crack in the nearside sidelight lens, but little things like that are only to be expected with a classic that sees regular use. Similarly, the wheels show some superficial patina but are fundamentally in very good condition.

What really matters is the condition and solidity of the bodywork, and this Volkswagen presents more than satisfactorily. After a close look, everything appears to be in order and the floorpan is clearly in an excellent state of repair.

The Mechanics

Electronic ignition and 12-volt conversion
Flywheel recently replaced
New carburettor installed in the present ownership

Mechanically, the Volkswagen appears to be as good as it looks. It starts readily and, with the unmistakeable chug of the old flat-four, it sounds very happy and content. It drives, well, too – so well, in fact, that the vendor thought nothing of driving it to Liverpool from Kent and back, a journey of some 500 miles sitting at a steady 50mph.

In their six years of ownership, it has needed very little upkeep besides routine maintenance. Two 6V batteries in series to provide the 12V electronics to everything else except the starter motor. A new flywheel was fitted along with a new carburettor. The new starter motor and flywheel are both 6V and the starter motor runs off just one of the two batteries.

Apart from that, the Volkswagen has asked for very little, so ‘undemanding’ would seem to be the word that sums it up. Bidders are advised that the only known mechanical fault is that the windscreen wipers do not work, but so far the vendor has found that a coating of DucksWax or Rain-X keeps the screen clear in all but the worst downpours.

As a historic vehicle, the Volkswagen is, of course, exempt from MoT testing, but bidders may be interested to know that it passed its last MoT in 2018 with no advisories except that the wiper blades were split and the bumpers were slightly loose.

The Summary

To many people, the Split-Screen Type 2 is the epitome of the classic campervan, and its celebrated status is well-deserved. Despite its quaint looks, it is genuinely functional and has brought happiness to thousands of holidaymakers over the decades.

This is a lovely example, presented in a very attractive condition and ready to drive. No matter where you’re heading, it promises lots of fun on every trip.

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.*

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.

A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.

All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.