*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT N insurance loss in 07/2018 ***

Highlights

Gorgeous California bus
Subject to an £8000 interior re fit by Starlight Campers
Tax & MOT exempt but currently has an MOT until September 23
Refurbished Flat 4 air cooled engine with a host of upgrades
Insurance valuation over 60k - Here to be sold!
ULEZ exempt
Porsche 2 litre heads reworked by GAC
Jenvy Throttle Bodies

The Appeal

One of the most ingenious, versatile designs, made to work alongside a plethora of different services. The Volkswagen T2 van may well be one of the finest pieces of automotive design the world has ever seen. The masses of VW van enthusiasts scattered around the world would certainly have no problem agreeing with that statement.

The simplistic design and no nonsense rear mounted air cooled engine shot the VWs into popularity in all forms, with all sorts of vans, pickups and service vehicles rolling out of the Wolfsburg factory. But of course the form in which it is most commonly known and adored is the campervan, much like the one we have here.

A California import, this 1964 “splitty” has been treated to a no expense spared custom overhaul, from the body, to the interior, to the engine, it would appear as if no stone has been left unturned to make this into what may well be one of the finest split screen VWs on the market today.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in 1964, believed to be a California bus
First registered in the UK circa 2003
Subject to a highly extensive custom build and fit out at the request of previous owners
Accompanied by a thoroughly extensive set of invoices and receipts for work undertaken and parts bought for the build
Invoice highlighting near £8000 interior fit out by starlight campers
Collection of previous MOT certificates including the current one, valid until September 2023 with no advisories
Tax & MOT exempt and for those interested in driving the vehicle in London, ULEZ exempt due to the vehicles historic status
V5 registration document present with the van

The Interior

Beautifully presented
Custom interior fit out, performed by Starlight Campers
Cooking, sleeping, fridge and gas facilities
Stow away table
Outside BBQ feature
Split charge system

Of course the bread and butter of any camper van comes in the form of the interior. This particular van is no exception to this notion, and if anything can be seen to stand out that little bit above the rest, courtesy of a truly magnificent interior space fit out by camper specialists Starlight Campers circa 2019 at a cost of just under £8000.

Opening the barn style side doors, one is greeted with a wonderful cabin, complete with green checkerboard flooring, and bespoke wooden cabinetry to really give the camper that home from home feel. Stowed in the top of the main cabinet is the sink and gas hob cooking facilities, complete with a fold down panel to allow for more work surface when not using these facilities. Interested parties should also note the fitting of an under van gas tank which has been signed off by a registered gas engineer.

Also included in the main area of the cabin is a well sized fridge, leisure battery system, internal mains socket and mains hookup, alongside a fold down rock and roll bed upholstered to match in with the front seating, which was also reupholstered during the interior build. Make no mistake, no expense has been spared in here and this camper comes with just about everything one could possibly need for a camping break, including the kitchen sink!

The front passenger and driver area of the van is in great form boasting the aforementioned freshly upholstered seating, alongside two excellent matching green leather door panels, embellished with decorative chrome strips and a sleek white dash panel, befitted with a removable cup holder and basket and the iconic two spoke steering wheel, both draped in a marvellous white hue.

This is a van that undeniably presents in impeccable fashion and will surely make a stand out piece at any show or campsite.

The Exterior

Brilliant, iconic two tone paint scheme
New rubbers and door seals
Desirable “towel rail” American spec bumpers

Is there a more instantly recognisable shape than a split screen VW camper? The simplistic design stands out wherever it may be, especially when sporting the infamous two tone paint job like the example we have here. A rather wonderful mix of green and a greyish white are the order of the day when it comes to the exterior of this particular van, an impeccable colour choice which thoroughly sets the van off from an aesthetic perspective whilst still retaining that 1960s image. The paint itself has been done to a brilliant standard and as such presents with a brilliant deep shine from all angles.

Being a California bus, we find a set of the highly desirable, US spec “towel rail” bumpers at the front and rear, both finished in a white paint scheme, these are of a brilliant standard and present in good clean form. The same naturally can be said of the lashing of decorative chrome trim that adorns much of the van, all still with a glorious shine. Nothing but the best for a van of this calibre.

A real testament to the quality of the work performed on the van, the panel gaps, shut lines and body panels all present brilliantly, with the panel gaps appearing correct, consistent and even, something often overlooked on lower quality restorations, but undeniably a pivotal piece of what makes this van one of such a high standard.

At ground level, sits a great set of four steel wheels, finished in a matching green and white paint scheme and then nicely detailed off with excellent chrome hubcaps.

The Mechanics

Legendary rear mounted air cooled engine
Porsche 2 litre heads reworked by GAC
Jenvy Throttle Bodies
Driveline has been well upgraded by previous owners
Accompanied by dyno readout

Within the tailgate of this particular VW lies a rather special air cooled flat four. The engine quickly built up a reputation for its simplicity and longevity upon first release in both the Beetle and the T2 but often garnered complaints of a lack of power or any real speed. That needn't be a worry here though.

A true marvel to behold, this aircooled lump packs a host of performance upgrades, twin carbs, and a tuneable ECU for those looking to get an added punch out of the van. Backed by a dyno reading print out that will accompany the van on sale this van makes some serious power and certainly won't be confused for a run of the mill camper by anyone who sees what's hiding in the engine bay.

Invoices indicate that the cam gear, pushrods, pistons and a host of other parts have been upgraded, with parts costs reaching into the thousands. It would also appear as though a high ratio gearbox with a 3.88 final drive was sourced from specialists “cogbox” and then installed into the van.

On the road the camper is reported to provide an excellent drive, with a great deal more power and performance than the average T2. In its current ownership it has been on many adventures without fault and will surely be ready for many more with its next owner.

Summary

If you're familiar with the VW T2, then this van really does sell itself. A tier above the rest, this 1964 “splitty” has had no expense spared to make it into one of the finest examples on the road today. With a long advisory free MOT, a quality interior and a rather special engine and driveline, this absolutely stunning camper is ready for many more miles and many more years of truly stylish adventures. Only being sold as the current owners are starting a new business venture.

Notice to bidders

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