For those wanting an iconic campervan, they don’t come much more iconic than the Split Screen campervan. That is exactly what our vendor thought when he set out to fulfil his dream of owning a Split Screen van. Spending a lot of time in the States, he decided that would be the best place to source a suitable van.
The Sundial panel van, as it was initially, was purchased in 2012 and sent to a body shop in Texas for them to carry out the cosmetic restoration. Then it would be shipped to the UK for the mechanical side of things to be completed.
Unfortunately, the best-laid plans didn’t go as planned; when the bus arrived in the UK at Absolute VW, it wasn't quite as expected. This was when it was stripped back to bare metal, and the restoration started all over again. Four years later and a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears, the no expense spared camper was finished, and what a fantastic job Absolute VW has done!
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Imported from the States
V5C is present
No previous UK keepers
Registered in the UK 3rd March 2017
Declared manufactured 1963
Some previous invoices are present but weren't available on the day
No expense spared restoration
Tens of thousands spent
Approximately 4,085 miles have been covered since the completion
Recent service in March 2023 cost £1,494.94
Magazine featured
THE INTERIOR
Full leather interior
Custom made furniture
Beautiful condition
Inside, the camper is finished off beautifully. The front seat frames have been refurbished, new foam has been added, and then finished in leather. The rear seat is a ‘Rock n Roll’ bed perfect for camping nights. Both seats are in excellent condition. The door cards have been trimmed in matching material and are also in excellent condition.
The headlining sits nice and tight, with no signs of staining. The carpets are finished in beige; there are some marks on these, which may come clean with a carpet cleaner. All the floor area and roof have been soundproofed to help keep any noise out whilst also adding some insulation.
The dashboard has been painted in Lotus White to match the exterior, and there are no chips or scratches to mention. The instruments consist of a fuel gauge and a period-looking speedometer with an LCD odometer reading 4,085 miles, which has been covered since completion in 2017. The switchgear is all excellent and reported to be working correctly. There is a period-looking headunit fitted which will connect to your mobile phone.
The wooden furniture has been custom-made and is in excellent condition. There are cupboards everywhere possible, making maximum use of the space, even going as far as mounting the table to the inside of the roof for easy access when needed. There is a twin hob gas cooker, fridge, and TV.
THE EXTERIOR
Safari front windows
Deluxe trim
Chrome Empi wheels
Six rear pop-out windows
The bus's exterior has been finished in Lotus White over Turkis Green which is in superb condition. Getting to this stage has been an adventure for Absolute VW, but their skill and craftsmanship have paid off; the panel work really is something else! The bus has several new panels fitted, and all of the gaps and shut lines are excellent. Looking down the sides of the bus there are no dings or dents, and they look very, very straight.
There are no marks on the Lotus White bumpers; the headlights and bullet indicators, along with the rear lights, are in excellent condition. All 11 windows and seals are new and therefore have no scratches. The side and rear windows open up, and the front and rear windows are Safari, so they open up for some 1963-style air conditioning.
The wheels are 15” Empi, which have been chromed. There is a small amount of tarnishing on the inner parts of the spokes, but generally, they present well with a bright finish. A set of matching Continental tyres are fitted, which are in excellent condition, having only covered just over 4,000 miles.
THE MECHANICS
1915cc high compression engine
Taller fourth gear
2” lower than standard
Wilwood brake conversion
Just like the body, the engine has also been treated to no expense spared. Now fitted with a freshly built 1915cc high compression engine, with 34 ICT Weber carburettors, this is nicely run in. It starts on the button without hesitation, and no issues are reported. A recent service has seen new rocker and sump gaskets fitted, valve clearances adjusted and the timing set, meaning it is running as it should be. A full electric ignition system has also been fitted.
The gearbox is four-speed with a taller fourth for improved fuel economy on a run. The gear change is said to be smooth, and the Splitty pulls well through the gears. There is a straight axle conversion, and the suspension has been fitted with adjustable spring plates at the rear, and a two-inch narrowed front adjustable beam with drop spindles to gain the perfect stance. The braking system on the VW has been upgraded with a dual master cylinder and Wilwood front disc brake conversion.
The underside is extremely clean and tidy, finished with a coating of Dinitrol inside the chassis and body sections. The suspension components have been greased where necessary, and the steering box was adjusted at the service.
A Leisure battery with a split charge and mains electric hookup is also present, perfect for site visits!
SUMMARY
The quality of this restoration is simply stunning. The attention to detail is everywhere and it has clearly been built by someone who is an enthusiast as well as a craftsman. All of this work probably makes it one of the very best available at the moment.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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