Bananas Split – The Ultimate VW Camper

As we’re sure you know by now, every Sunday we post our Auction Car of the Week article, in which we get very excited about a particular car that’s for sale on our auction platform. And this 1963 Volkswagen Type 2 Split is indeed available for auction. However, this is so brilliantly bananas that we had to give it a feature of its own. This isn’t your typical modified, Porsche-engined, Empi-wheeled, restored pop-top. This is something else. It’s on another level, and it takes the word split and runs with it. How? It’s articulated, and is in fact two campers. Oh, and power comes from a meaty Audi S3 engine. It is incredible, and as such, is perhaps the ultimate VW Camper. Let’s take a look…

The Volkswagen world is one in which it’s often difficult to stand out. Customisation and modification are the backbone of this corner of the classic world, and while there are many varied and exciting upgrades and custom parts you can buy, the reality is that it’s hard to build something truly unique. This one, however, is unique. Take this to any Volkswagen show, and it will be the only one there. If you’re looking for that kind of kudos – and if you’re a VW fan – this is the vehicle for you. It’s not just a vehicle with which to catch the eye though. No, this bonkers creation is even more practical than any other VW camper.

The cab, or tractor unit if you can call it that, is where it all starts. It’s a 1963 body, but has been significantly modified. It’s been shortened, and has been fully restored with fresh paint and even a sturdy roll bar. Under those iconic lines, however, you won’t find a flat-four air-cooled engine gasping for breath. No, the builder of this incredible Split has wedged in the four-cylinder engine from an Audi S3, which has been mated up to an automatic transmission. This old machine might have the vintage aesthetic, but you can keep up with modern traffic with ease. It also means that when the ‘trailer’ is detached, the cab unit is something of a riot to drive. The bed has been fitted with a custom fifth wheel, which is what allows the camper section to hook on.

The cab unit of this Split alone would be something to get excited about, but then there is the camper trailer, again, made from a split screen base vehicle. It boasts a pop-top, a beautifully appointed interior, a fridge, plenty of sleeping space and the whole thing is correctly plated making it perfectly legal and above board. This is no quick chop’n’weld. Oh, and the engine bay of the rear is now storage, which is neat. Just pore over the pictures of this amazing build and tell us you don’t want to spend a cosy night or two away in it? You’re already packing, aren’t you?

The fabrication work is top notch throughout. From the exquisite restoration of the cab and trailer, to the upholstery, to the engine bay that despite having a modern engine, looks original. The paint and interior are genius, too. It would have been so easy to go mad and make it bright and loud and lairy, but instead the builder has gone for subtle, muted tones that allow the vehicle to speak for itself. It doesn’t need bright paint or excessive chrome. There is enough going on without all that. Even the choice of painted steel wheels with dog dish hupcaps is… perfection.

We’re sure you’ll agree that this 1963 Volkswagen Type 2 custom camper is worthy of its own little article here on Car & Classic. We wanted to sing and shout about it, we wanted to bring it to your attention and we wanted to celebrate it. And we don’t even own it. Imagine what it would feel like to be the custodian of this amazing, one-off, incredible machine? All you need to do is bid. But if you win, can we borrow it for the weekend? Yeah? Thanks!