Description
SUPERB 1972 VOLKSWAGEN TYPE 2 WESTFALIA BAYWINDOW RHD SOUTH AFRICAN IMPORT
Rare & Valuable TYPE 2a Crossover SO67R model.
Info & advice re camping/ glamping rentals generating £8-10K+ pa incl.
‘Hendrix’ is an original RHD, 1972 cross-over Type 2 Volkswagen Baywindow – Westfalia conversion with ultra-rare SO67R interior. A new SSP 1600 twin port engine is fitted (1500miles) plus a huge number of new & original VW parts fitted £21, 000 + (full folder of invoices/ photographs). Originally exported to South Africa from VW Germany as a complete knock down kit, it was assembled at the VW factory in Uitenhage.
Imported from South Africa in 2015, this VW spent its life in & around Johannesburg. Vehicles from Gauteng province have very little rust due to the climate, height above sea level (low oxidisation) & absence of salt on the roads.
(Rust-free LHD imports have obvious disadvantage of being LHD with sliding door opening out onto the traffic side).
First work undertaken was to strip & respray bodywork in 1972 period colour, Pastel White. Bodywork was in good condition as was the chassis so majority of the bodywork was the stripping and ‘flattening’ of panels.
In 2025 a further £3000 was spent on bodywork so Hendrix looks superb & has a very special classic VW look & feel attracting attention on each outing.
Hendrix Interior
The original mustard vinyl was not attractive (Westfalia mustard vinyl available -NLA VW Parts should a buyer wish to reinstate). A yacht trimmer in Cornwall was engaged to retrim in sumptious & stylish retro cream & beige leather.
The rare bulkhead feature gives you a double passenger bench seat & separate driver’s seat in the front. The bulkhead enables you to have a 2 person rear facing seat so 4 people can sit & eat at the table, providing a very practical and sociable layout evoking the look & appeal of the earlier VW splitscreens.
The rear facing seat unclips & can be lifted out for more rear space (weddings etc.). The double seat can slide forward to link with the rock n roll bed (see photos) giving a very spacious sleeping area - 3 x 6ft+ adults have top n tailed in comfort!
It has a single adult hammock mounted in the raised roof, a childs hammock bed that sits across & above the front seats - ability to sleep 3-4 adults + 1 child.
In addition a 5x4m dubpod awning is available separately see photos, offering a huge, comfortable eating, sleeping & relaxing space, perfect for festivals.
Hendrix comes with a Clearcut Croyde Pod kitchen unit which is very practical - it is self-contained & portable (simply lift out for cooking outdoors/ in awning - saves driving a campervan full of cooking smells. A pod unit preserves the original interior layout & doesn't take up valuable interior space along one whole side of the bus.
The interior has original Westfalia wardrobe & rear seat base panel with door access to the space beneath. An original Westfalia ceiling mounted shallow shelf unit is included.
Available separately (or in place of the Croyde pod) is the original Westfalia kitchen unit - available to the buyer if seeking originality.
Hendrix has a lovely set of double-sided curtains VW Curtains made to original Westfalia spec.
Engine
A new SSP 1600 twin port engine & clutch sourced through VW Heritage fitted c. 1500 miles ago. Almost all engine components have been changed/ upgraded for new / or newly reconditioned parts where build quality of original parts is superior full file of invoices provided - list of parts in photo below.
Automatic engine gas extinguisher, 6 beige period style safety belts & a leisure battery with split charge relay added for safety & reliablity.
Whilst there are a number of VW conversions, Westfalia are recognised as being the most sought after & valuable conversions.
The early bay ‘low light’ VWs are far more desirable than the high lights post '72 models - they have finer, more attractive wrap-around front bumpers & more elegant indicators. It also benefits from front disc brakes - not drum brakes all round as per earlier models.
Attached below are photos of a VW magazine featuring the exact same model (which I also owned previously). It is evidence of the appeal & rarity of this model that it was the subject of a special feature article (I regretted having to sell it so I spent several years searching for the exact same specification which I eventually found).
This is a very special, practical VW that has had a huge amount of work & expense spent, making it one of the most desirable Type 2 Baywindow campervans available. It is rare being a cross over model, this individuality further enhanced by the very rare bulkhead coupled with the SO67R interior.
I have thoroughly enjoyed owning Hendrix since 2015, it is now time to let a new owner enjoy this lovely & very special VWAs indicated above this VW is rather special as you will see when you view any of the newer highlight models.
It has had so much spent on making it as comfortable and relaible as possible whilst retaining all of its original Westfalia appeal and character.
The interior is a lovely space to be with the light cream and beige leather interior and it is spacious for a VW baywindow due to the rare bulkhead feature and layout.
It is a sociable space too should you wish to sit at the original Westfalia table for a meal, drinks or cards!
The splitscreens are lovely but a challenge to live with mechanically and they are smaller inside so not as pratical or easy for the taller person. Hendrix offers the perfect blend of the original style coupled with the more modern space and practicality.
I have a quantity of the cream and beige leather that could be made available - my intention was to cover the original plyboard ceiling panels with the leather but have not yet done so.
I also have bought two low profile white speakers to be mounted in the ceiling panel above the driver and passengers heads and a chrome new but retro looking aerial to be mounted through teh fibreglass raising roof (to avoid mounting through the metal bodywork which invites rust), these are included.
There is also an original VW mosquito net (needs fitting) designed to to allow the tailgate to be left open if camping in hot weather which could be made available.
In addition to the 3 inertia reel period style safety belts and teh two lap belts, there is in addition a modern Securon safety belt attachment that is required when fitting a child safety seat.
The curtains have a 70s hippy/ retro look and are very practical as the edges are lined with magnets that couple together to block out the morning light.
In terms of what is known about the history of this vehicle, I know that it was used for camping/ safari trips to local game reserves by the family who owned it when I bought it. I have the original SA registration document & original number plates available.
As mentioned above, the reson I imported Hendrix from SA was because they are original RHD vehicles and if they have been in the Gauteng Priovince area (and not from coastal areas) they are typically in very good condition and have a solid chassis and bodywork which is vital.
I have a glamping/ fetival package that could also be made available to the buyer that comprises of a superb Dubpod (if you google dubpod you will see Hendrix fetured alongside the high quality canvas bell-tent style awning. This awning is great, and is perfect if you are camping or at a festival, it transforms the campervan camping into a glamping experience in a matter of minutes with its airy space and great head height.
We have used the dubpod which attaches to the side of the VW (it is designed such that you can zip up and driveaway too) with ethnic rugs, blow up double height beds and sofas perfect for chilling out!
I have had a stove flap added to the awning and have a portable woodfired stove that can be used in the awning (and to do so it just needs a small attachment available from Belltent boutique).
Hendrix has featured in The White Company Christmas brochure and video :).
All the hard work has been done to make Hendrix as safe, relaible and as elegant as possible and there are a few details that a new owner could consider to put your own stamp on it.
I would be happy to share my knowledge and experience of renting out if this was of any interest. I found it to be a positive experience and if you charge a reasonabley high price (you always hold a deposit should there ever be any breakages or damage) those renting respect the vehicle. In 4 years I did not have to retain any deposit. I used just one website but of you are more social media savvy I am sure that you could increase visibility and awareness and boost earnings far higher. I used to make c£8000 for the spring and summer.
The classic VWs hold their values well and if you are using for personal use the classic car insurance is very reasonable, there is no road tax and should you wish you do not have to have an MOT but you could ensure the safety through a regular service and checks.
I have a number of origonal parts (carburettors) and other VW parts that I could let the new owner have.
Although I am not mechanically adept I would be happy to share my experiences and knowledge of owning and running a classic VW Baywindow.
