Description
For Sale a 58/ 59 Peter Pitt Motorcaravan RHD uk original registration in Mango Green and Seagull Grey. There is only one like this ever made out of all the VWs produced. Fully restored with Photographic record to original specification. Fully balanced crank and flywheel, weight balanced pistons and rebuilt with all new bearings and seals. One of we believe the three original Peter Pitt conversions still registered. All new brakes , pipework and wiring loom. Believed to be the first Mango on a UK registration. Pitt conversion has changed the law and started the compervan revolution, Peter Pitt became Canterbury Pitt which no longer exists. Original fittings table , gas lamp, door mounted 2 burner gas hob, and cupb oards. Front seats , intrumentation and floor covering all original. Original keys and matching locks. Original door panels and engine cover mat. Comprehensive photographic record of the restoration work carried out 5 years ago, only covered approx 2k miles since. Replaced headlining and floor coverering. modifications electronic ignition and flashing LED lamps in the trafficators. Stock ride height and standard vw wheels not lowered or modified. A unique VW being on the production line in 1958 when it was shut down to change to a 59 model. It is now the only 58/ 59 type 2 RHD in Mango ever made by VW. There cannot be another. Never had a radio fitted, will come with period accessories transistor radio and windbeak included which can be seen on the photographs, the comprehensive history file proving its providence. 6v electrics with trafficators and 0ne 6v spotlamp. I purchased him from the restorer because it was the very vehicle in which I learned to drive in the 1960s, I would never get another oppertunity, having enjoyed the nostalgia trip I now need to move him on. Only five owners from new and two were the same family. In the late 1950s Ken Fardell a garage Proprietor from Messingham in Lincolnshire purchased a VW type 2 microbus 224 RHD with a Peter Pitt Moto-caravan conversion. It was new at a cost of nearly £900. That was a lot of money in 1958, the price of 2 Minis. First registered in the UK Nov 1958 the Type 2 VW microbus was an addition to other garage/ taxi vehicles had to earn its keep, not immediately but when the newness had worn off after the first winter. It was always stored undercover or garaged dependant on space. This was Ken’s first ever new vehicle, all the seats were immediately covered in custom made hardwearing material even the front bench seat and carpet fitted on the floors front, middle and engine cover at the rear. Ken had served in the RAF as an aircraft fitter. We don’t know why he opted for a VW; his accountant must have told him he needed a new vehicle to write off against business tax was one theory. LEE was always known as the VW Bus never as LEE in its youth. Used for 20 years as a contract hire taxi to transport local children in Lincolnshire from outlying farms to the village school, and at lunchtimes to transport hot school meals in large, sealed insulated containers between local village school canteens. Messingham to East Butterwick before the school closed. More of a ultra general-purpose vehicle than a pretty camper hired out during the school holidays. Every school day without fail, rain hail or snow. These were all short trips, stop/ start not the best for an air-cooled engine. It had a yearly compulsory inspection by the local authorities to carry out these duties before MOTs at 10 years old. It was also used as a Private Hire Vehicle, local village taxi 24/ 7 and for weddings and hired out for trips and holidays. In the early ‘60s an 8-seater VW often carried a few more than 8 to get back to Messingham late on a Saturday night.! Because the taxi vehicles often had different drivers it was important especially the VW to check the fuel. Once the reserve tap is pulled out you were supposed to fill up and push the tap back in, this did not always happen. This is why it always carried a spare one gallon can on board. One rear corner had accidental damaged and was replaced in the 70s so one side engine bay vents were different to the other, but you couldn’t see both at the same time. This was corrected during restoration. John remembers taking the front bumper off a Vauxhall with the rear bumper of the VW cutting in a bit quick after just overtaking, filed under lesson learned. No other Split screen camper is likely to have had such a chequered history in its first 20 years of life. John his son learned to drive in this camper, in the late 1960s, all battle scars now cosmetically removed during the restoration. No seatbelts or airbags then or now, and limited power. He had been driving LEE about within the family garage business and yard from an early age. Taking LEE on holidays in the late 60s to Devon and Cornwall with a couple of mates, one who worked at the BMC Dealership. At the time the latest Austin 1800 advert stated ‘Drop in for a Trial Marriage’, LEE had a couple of those large stickers. No takers but a lot of amusement for others on campsites. LEE has carried various items for the garage business, engines and gearboxes, several r/ c aircraft, drum kits and soul band equipment, and a Gremlin sailing dingy inside not on the roof! The MPV not a bus or a van of the period as many owners found out. Never went abroad but visited the Lake District and Scotland on several occasions as a campervan with an attached 2 room tent awning carried on a full-length roof rack. Original Tent available with the camper if wanted. All the passes have been completed even Hardknott pass the steepest in the UK. In March 1978 it needed some major mechanical work (ceased engine) at 80K miles and 20 years old, and was sold. to a regular visiting sales rep Peter Good from Cherry Willingham near Lincoln. He later became an early SSVC member. LEE was replaced with a ’69 red Devon type 2 bay VW doing the same type of work. The taxman would have taken anything over £50-00 since its value had been written down against tax. The second owner used LEE after reconditioning the motor and painted it white and orange with rattle cans (newer VW colours,) and used it as a camper for a few years, he then sold the registration number LEE 259 and the camper separately. The third owner stripped out all the original interior into dry store and started a restoration that stalled for whatever reason, and LEE stayed in a barn for the next decade or so and it became an historic vehicle in the process. Purchased by Mike Waby as a barn find in quite a sorry state in 2019. Fortunately, Mike was prepared for a full restoration having done several VW campers before and realising how rare a ’58 Pitt conversion is. There is a full photographic record of each phase of the restoration .
