Highlights

Extensive teardown, rebuild and repaint in 2015 costing approximately £25,000
Repainted in a standard VW Seagull Grey and Mango Green
Interior professionally retrimmed throughout.
Engine upgraded to 2,007cc (with an output of 126hp)
Three UK owners since 2005, with the current owner since 2014
Recent voluntary MOT through October 2026, now registered as MOT exempt

The Appeal

The original Type 2 split-window bus may be an iconic classic, but its charm comes with two rather noticeable drawbacks: a distinct lack of power (or brakes). Try to take a hill in first gear with the original 36hp 1200cc engine fitted and you'll wonder if you'll reach the top by nightfall. That's why we love this 1960 bus. Under the back sits a GAC-built 2,007cc flat four producing a dizzying 126 hp (over three times the power of the original), and to make sure you can stop, it's fitted with powerful four-pot vented disc brakes up front. However, this is merely the headliner in a long list of work undertaken during the restoration, with numerous sympathetic improvements that deliver the very pretty, high-quality bus you see in the photos.

The seller bought the bus in 2014 and quickly began a comprehensive restoration, which he says cost in the neighborhood of £25,000. Work included bodywork repairs, a repaint, an interior re-trim, and the fitment of bespoke interior wooden units. There are also a host of other cosmetic and mechanical tweaks to discover in the description below. This is a smart Type 2 with an impressive specification. One not to miss for your 2027 adventures.

The seller says:

“The bus is great to drive, in that it has retained all the character of the old 1960 bus... but the vague handling (due to the steering box) is no more, and the pitiful performance of the original 1200cc engine is definitely a thing of the past. Instead of constantly shifting up and down the gears to keep up a pace... you can just leisurely drive it in top gear pretty much everywhere. The only reason I am selling her (Jolene) is that a few years back I injured my right elbow to such an extent that I find it very difficult to reach the handbrake. The bus needs a new owner so that it doesn't just sit in a garage!”

Key Information

Mileage: 2,416 miles shown on the refurbished speedometer; however, 98,635 miles were recorded on the 2014 MOT, so the total is estimated to be 101,051 miles.
Country of registration: USA (California), registered on UK plates since 2005
Technical inspection status: MOT exempt, last test valid through October 2026.
Technical specs: 126hp 2,007cc flat-four, four-speed manual
Paperwork: Photographic documentation of the refurbishment and receipts for mechanical work are available

The Detail

The body shell was repaired, including replacement of the right-hand rear corner panel, both battery trays, a cab door skin, a section of the cargo bay floor, both bumpers, and the fuel tank. The bus was then painted in standard VW Seagull Grey and Mango Green. Eleven years later, the cab front and the lower part of the right-hand cab door would benefit from a repaint, and some small areas of surface rust are present on door panel edges and near the locks. The seller describes the paintwork as reasonable.
The interior has been retrimmed by Bromsgrove Auto Trimmers and remains in good order. In addition to the tan trim, the specification included Dynamat sound deadening, thermal insulation, a rock 'n' roll bed, a headliner, carpets, and all door panels.
Bespoke wooden cabinetry by ATT (www.allthingstimber.com), who have included pictures of the build on their website. The specification included a full-width bed fascia, bulkhead unit with swing-out hob, drawers, cupboards, a sliding table, and an overhead locker. The seller states the interior is in very good condition, with the only real blemish being two circular marks on the cargo area floor from storage of the spare tire.
A new wiring harness has been fitted, complete with replacement fuse boxes and electrical switches, plus a pair of correct vintage Bosch fog lights.
GAC-built 2,007cc engine (90.5x78) producing approximately 126 hp (dyno graph included in the documentation). The specification includes a Pertronix SVDA electronic distributor, Pierburg electric fuel pump, remote oil cooler, CSP Python exhaust including heat exchangers, a rebuilt transmission, Gene Berg shifter, and new IRC driveshafts.
Minor stutter at idle (possibly due to carburetor setup), but the seller reports that the engine pulls cleanly in all gears.
Ignis automatic fire suppression system fitted to the engine bay
Suspension has been renewed throughout, with Creative Engineering spring plates and SPAX dampers at the rear and a ‘Red9 Design’ twin wishbone front suspension kit with four-pot vented disc brakes at the front.
SSP Sprintstar 5" x 15" alloy wheels fitted
Speedometer refurbished and recalibrated for the revised rolling diameter of the new wheels and tires.
Brake lines renewed

BEFORE YOU BUY

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