Descrição
Esta é uma conversão Devon Torvette. O primeiro proprietário da autocaravana era um músico que a utilizava para transportar o seu clavicórdio ao Festival de Edimburgo. O meu sogro comprou a autocaravana dele quando tinha pouco menos de dois anos de idade. Tem estado na mesma família desde então e sempre foi guardada numa garagem. Tornei-me o proprietário registrado em 1988.
It is, effectively, in original condition, untouched by conversions or resprays.
Muitos, provavelmente a maioria, dos Split Screens foram alterados do seu estado original para terem equipamento mais moderno e mais potente – um pouco como a vassoura do Trigger em Only Fools and Horses (ele dizia, famosamente, que tinha 17 cabeças novas e 14 cabo de vassoura ao longo dos anos, mas continuava a ser a mesma vassoura).
Mas ainda existem alguns Split Screens em quase condição original, e este é um deles.
There have been a few changes. Seat belts were fitted to the two front seats when that became compulsory. A Long Wave radio, a reversing light and an isolation switch for the battery were also added around 1970. We began to use radial, rather than cross-ply, tyres on it in the 1990s. The only change since then (apart from service replacements) was a replacement engine in 1993 at a mileage of 54, 733 miles. John Forbes of Meadow Lane in Edinburgh (well-known to ‘Splitty’ fans) serviced the van at that time and he correctly diagnosed in which cylinder the exhaust valve failed even before taking the engine out. The replacement engine is a 1500cc re-manufactured engine from VEGE Motoren. The van has never been re-sprayed or had the internal fabrics or fittings changed.
Nós temos aproveitado ótimos momentos levando a autocaravana até à França e percorrendo as Hébridas Exteriores – mas a kilometragem mostra que não tem sido muito usada nos últimos anos. Enquanto ele viveu, John Forbes fez a manutenção regularmente e desde então a Heriothill Motors em Leith tem cuidado dela. Existem registos de serviços desde a altura da compra (1966).
Inevitably for a vehicle of this age that has not undergone any major renovation there are some patches of corrosion that need attention. The barn doors are rusty at the bottom and there are some other small patches. But the camper is in very good working order – and if you want to own a VW Split Screen camper that is very largely in original condition this is an extremely rare chance to do so. This is a much-loved vehicle.
The appeal and romance of Volkswagen’s Split Screen camper vans is, of course, universal. I have never driven another vehicle that attracts so many friendly smiles and waves when out on the road.
It began its life in Suffolk - where the musician who used it to ferry his harpsichord around lived. My (now) wife was one of his pupils at the time and was delighted when, only two years after he bought it, he offered it to my, now, father-in-law, who was very pleased to pay the asking price. We still have the receipt.
Being a fastidiously careful man my father-in-law took great care of 'the van', always keeping it in a garage and never allowing it to be used to carry anything that might damage it. During his ownership it was used only for journeys within Britain and had less than 25, 000 miles on the clock when he decided that he would no longer want to keep it. At that point (1988) he sold it to us for a nominal amount and was pleased to see it kept in the family.
We have used it for family holidays to France as well as more local holidays and outings.
A real high point was a trip through the Scottish Highlands and then over to the Outer Hebrides to 'island hop' from Lewis down to Barra. Sleeping, then waking, in 'the van' by unspoilt beaches with no-one else in sight was a sheer delight.
Our grandchildren have always loved it - and will be sorry to see it go - but we are now at an age where we are using it less and less, so it is time for it to move on.
One of its great appeals to us is that it is, to all intents and purposes, exactly (bar the few small changes listed elsewhere) as it was when it was bought in 1966. The lack of power-steering might test the arms a little - but the joy of REALLY driving with that large steering wheel is just wonderful (unless you want modern gadgetry to do all of the work for you). It may take a little longer to travel from A to B but cruising at 50-55 mph has its own, relaxing rewards.
With a hand-pumped squeegee bottle as a screen-wash, its own gas-fired kitchen for a leisurely lunch stop, under-seat boxes and small cupboards for plenty of storage and a cool box the appeal of this truly original machine is truly delightful.
