The first T2 commercial vehicle, based on Beetle mechanicals, was launched way back in 1950. Boasting a sophisticated and distinctive design for, essentially, a commercial vehicle the T2 featured twin front windscreens and the now signature V-shaped extrusion on the front panel. The T2 was available in various configuration of people carrying bus or panel van for true commercial applications.

This example is one of those you very occasionally see at shows that present in a possibly “better than new” condition and clearly have been a labour of love…..and money. This one is the product of an 8-year long labour of love and wants for absolutely nothing.

The rear cabin of this split screen camper is finished to a very high standard and nicely blends a modern aesthetic with a surprisingly period feel. The bespoke interior was conceived and supplied by Richard Booth designs of Derbyshire. Supplemental fittings, such as door and panel cards, were sourced from Ken’s Customs also of Derbyshire.

The rear cabin includes a tan trimmed rock and roll bed set which is arranged into vertical box pleats. A collapsible table is neatly incorporated into the frame of the rock and roll bed. When in an upright position the bed forms a full width bench seat and seatbelts are fitted to the outer two sitting positions.

An additional buddy seat is located to the offside of the walk-through bulkhead and is trimmed in the same tan material as the other seats. A kitchen unit with built under fridge is fitted at the other side of the walkthrough. Laminate floor is fitted to the rear cabin area.

The cab of the camper van is equally finely finished with the twin seats finished in matching, tan coloured material. The door cards are neatly trimmed and finished with chromed door furniture. The inner nose section is also trimmed in fitted, tan trimmed panels. The dashboard is finished in body coloured painted steel. A three spoke alloy steering wheel is fitted which is finished with a varnished wooden rim. A Gene Burg alloy shifter handle is fitted.

Photographs from the restoration process will show that extensive sound and heat insulating material has been used to maximise the comfort of the cabin. A new, light-coloured headlining has been fitted and is, hence, immaculate.

The restoration photographic record shows the camper was taken back to bare metal during the process. Additionally, new metal was added where required resulting in a very solid and robust shell with matchless structural integrity.

The camper has been exquisitely sprayed in an eye-catching and period-faithful Cumulus and Mouse Grey livery. The Cumulus finishes the panels above the camper’s chromed waistline and picks out the familiar V on the nose. The Mouse Grey shade finishes the lower panels of the camper. It all looks amazing.

The chromed brightwork is deeply lustrous and adorns the nose in the shape of the big VW roundel, light surrounds, “v” shaped trim and bumper rubbing strips. The flanks of the camper exhibits chromed window surrounds and waistline trim pieces. At the rear a recessed stainless steel tail pipe is in evidence. Safari windows are fitted together with new pop-outs all round. Creative Engineering polished door tops are also fitted bringing the specification to the highest level.  

The camper sits on 15-inch SSP Fuchs Porsche replica wheels from Machine 7. These are deeply chromed items with Porsche centre caps. These are shod with a new set of Pirelli Cinturato tyres. These charmingly round off the overall look of the camper which is sure to be one of the best you have seen.

In keeping with the rest of the camper, the mechanicals have been extensively modified, enhanced and improved. The 1,641cc boxer engine runs sweetly but also looks amazing with all tinware having been recoated. A new wiring look has been fitted. The brakes consist of Porsche pattern discs at the front and Porsche pattern drums at the rear. These are supported by a brake servo to transform braking performance from the original specification.

The suspension set up is similarly transformed and fettled. An IRS conversion has been undertaken and a Weed Eater beam has been fitted together with dropped spindles. Literally no mechanical aspect of this incredible camper has been neglected.

Much like its Beetle relative, the first series of T2 soon became much loved, admired and, latterly, desired. Such that it probably has more nicknames than any other commercially based vehicle. These include Bus, Barndoor, Kombi, Bullie, Microbus, Splitscreen, and Splitty to name a few.

This Splitty camper is a fantastic example, too. It is the product of an 8-year labour of love costing approximately £80,000 and utilising the considerable skills of spilt screen specialists Haywoods Classic and Custom. Only leading UK suppliers have been used to source parts from. These include luminaries like Alan Schofields, Creative Engineering, VW Heritage, Autocraft Panels, Custom and Commercial and the like. The results speak for themselves with this representing surely the best split screen camper available today.

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