What is the Attraction of VW T2 Campervans?

[Langtoftlad]

but I'm struggling to see the attractions.

...because they make cool cop cars

 

[Alanben]

I owned a 1959 split screen 6volt electrics. Two surfboards on the roof. Friday evening drives to north Devon from Poole, stopping at a couple of pubs on the way. Park up on the clifftops ( not possible now ) Early morning surf, back to the van for bacon and eggs, then back to the surf. Fish and chips and a couple of pints in the evening. staying in a carpark right by the beach ( can't do that now ) Surf ourselves to exhaustion on Sunday, then drive home. I loved that van, I had shoulder length bleach blond hair and was a real cool dude ( even if I say so myself ) The van has gone so has the hair but the memory stays.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

I owned a 1959 split screen 6volt electrics. Two surfboards on the roof. Friday evening drives to north Devon from Poole, stopping at a couple of pubs on the way. Park up on the clifftops ( not possible now ) Early morning surf, back to the van for bacon and eggs, then back to the surf. Fish and chips and a couple of pints in the evening. staying in a carpark right by the beach ( can't do that now ) Surf ourselves to exhaustion on Sunday, then drive home. I loved that van, I had shoulder length bleach blond hair and was a real cool dude ( even if I say so myself ) The van has gone so has the hair but the memory stays.

Superb. Even as a non-surfing type, I would just love the pose-factor of having those boards on the roof!

 

[rod_vw]

We've owned a few VW campers over the years - see my signature - all were bought to do the job required at the time with the funds available. Not all Bay Windows (T2s) were slow, I fitted a 1700cc fuel injection engine in the '73 which made it quite acceptable on the motorway in its day.

But we wouldn't go back to the T2 from the current T6!

 

[Alanben]

Superb. Even as a non-surfing type, I would just love the pose-factor of having those boards on the roof!

Hi Murtl Guru you could always buy one and live the drea?m

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[MyrtleGuru]

Hi Murtl Guru you could always buy one and live the drea?m

It's very tempting

 

[Hilewaychile]

And say cool a lot or maybe even groovy

Oh man! You have forgotten .. far out!

 

[The Wino]

Oh man! You have forgotten .. far out!

It could be you also have to take an interest in growing"special plants"

 

[Paulypaul]

We own a T1 so even older than the T2 bay. I can assure you that for us it's nothing to do with image, surfers wanting to stay young etc etc. Its to do with having a hobby, just like any other classic car.
As for unreliability, it depends to what extent the vehicle has been maintained or updated and let's face it, if you do break down they're dead easy to fix and someone will always offer to help as it stirs that feeling of days gone by in many who see them still on the road.

We brought ours over from Arizona in 2004 and have done quite a bit to it including building a new 1955cc stroker engine that'll keep up at 70mph all day if required.

Unfortunately we dont use it much these days so we are contemplating selling it....and we should make a fair bit as they are still fetching silly money.

Oh, it slept 4 as well, my partner, myself, our German Shepherd and our Staffie.

 

[Paul and Val]

I love cars. I especially love classic cars. I have never, ever lusted after a VW Camper van.

Our cars are
Bentley Arnage Red Label 6.75
BMW 335D
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 diesel
Citroen 2CV with 602cc of raw power.

My favourite car to drive? The Citroen 2CV.

If I only had time to drag one of the above from a burning garage it would be the 2CV every time.

Some people like bottoms and some prefer legs or breasts. Some like women (or men) with red hair and some prefer blondes. Some like VW Campervans. They don't appeal to me but good luck to the owners who do.

Stay inside and stay safe.

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[DBK]

We own a T1 so even older than the T2 bay. I can assure you that for us it's nothing to do with image, surfers wanting to stay young etc etc. Its to do with having a hobby, just like any other classic car.
As for unreliability, it depends to what extent the vehicle has been maintained or updated and let's face it, if you do break down they're dead easy to fix and someone will always offer to help as it stirs that feeling of days gone by in many who see them still on the road.

We brought ours over from Arizona in 2004 and have done quite a bit to it including building a new 1955cc stroker engine that'll keep up at 70mph all day if required.

Unfortunately we dont use it much these days so we are contemplating selling it....and we should make a fair bit as they are still fetching silly money.

Oh, it slept 4 as well, my partner, myself, our German Shepherd and our Staffie.View attachment 383300

Many thanks. That's a really helpful insight.

 

[busby]

It's iconic.......one of the first and still regarded as one of the best retro-cool classic vans of all time....simples.

I would not like to drive one to Spain..Slow,noisy,thirsty. Heater useless..Not a good motor back when they were new.BUSBY.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Superb. Even as a non-surfing type, I would just love the pose-factor of having those boards on the roof!

Yes, I remember being stuck almost stationary traffic approaching M25 tunnel. A T2 complete with stickers and surfboards being driven by a dude with suntan, singlet and tattoos was alongside me in the outside lane. after 20 minutes he starts frantically gesticulating at me and trying to move over, so as he moved in front in a desperate attempt to get to the hard shoulder, I noted the smell and the blue haze coming from the rear of the vehicle. I hope it didn't catch fire and was simply a well cooked engine.

It must be an age thing, but the vehicle had obviously had thousands spent on it but still looked utterly unattractive and ridiculously posey. He probably thought the same about me and the jaaaag though. Each to their own. I "get" the whole VW camper scene as quite a few friends have them but wouldn't be seen dead in one personally (noted that they use T5's and T6's as the ubiquitous "private ambulances" so I am even wrong there )

 

[Paulypaul]

I have to be honest, we have never used it for holidays like some die hards. Theres a massive VW scene with a huge show calendar throughout the year (pre C-19) and that's when we camped in it, maximum 3 nights with the drive away awning.

Although ours has a high performance engine I have to be honest I wouldn't want to drive it to Spain. I'm only a short arse but the driving position is somewhat hunched, not uncomfortably so, more like an old lorry where the steering wheel rake angle never adjusted. My mate who is 6'6" couldn't even get in it. There couldn't have been many tall people back in the early 60's?

However, we never bought it to have proper holidays in, it's just an interest we have and although we havent done any shows for quite some time, there was some great events like Vanfest and Stamford Hall. Probably our favourite day show was Brighton Breeze where Madeira Drive was blocked off and hundreds of VWs of all eras were parked up with loads of traders and thousands of people. Depending on the calendar, the Land Rovers used to do the same type of show the following day, so I guess that's another vehicle that attracts like minded people together.

At a push I'd go on holiday in a T5 perhaps, but the split is great fun to drive and its money in the bank too.

 

[James Mc]

I had a 1964 Splitty for 10 years or so - T2 would have been good for improved refinement, handling, economy etc etc. So they had some appeal.

Mine was more as a classic car alternative which had camping capability and whose value increased year-on-year without fail, hard to argue against on that basis. Now have a 2015 Bessacarr which does a completely different job.

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[L' Hobo]

We had a look at a few of these before we bought a Bongo a few years ago. The VW is not a good drive, uses a lot of fuel, is noisy and slow. We chose the Bongo.

But they do have an image, and a lot of people go by that, how else can you explain glamping?
If we had bought a VW, I'm sure we would not have lost money when we sold it, they keep their prices well, but from a practical point of view, not good.

I totally agree with you about the VW T2, but why did you buy a Bongo??? I have two T3's, both have 1.6ltr diesel engines and return 37mpg approx., the turbo one slightly higher & faster, the normally asperated one slightly lower & slower.
Surely, on a wet day don't you have to climb over the seats to get to the front and isn't the Bongo also thirsty compared with the above.
Sell the Bongo and but a T3 California while they are still sensibly priced but going up. You won't be disappointed. (They are also much safer than the T1 & 2 as they have the spare wheel stored between the front bumper and the front axle, stops your legs getting crushed should you have a head-on RTA)

 

[L' Hobo]

Many thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I need to get my thinking cap on to try and draw all the thoughts together.

I like the idea of linking them to the appeal of Harley Davidson bikes. I can see the similarities. Different, but there is a connection I think, history, tradition, image and the social side. ?

I think, the greatest thing going for the T2 is 'family'. There is a great social scene, especially if your young, and they are easy to work on without the need to plug it into a computer at £70 a go. All of which is also true of the T3 diesel at a much more sensible price

 

[L' Hobo]

Im a VW fan. And I don't like the t2 or the splitty really. Alot of it is image. They are icons really, and they attract those who aren't necessarily into the "scene" but want to have a part of it....


I long for a t25 panel van though. T25 panel van syncro....

One day I will own one. I plan to fully restore it and use it and my everyday...

Buy one NOW! the prices keep rising.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Buy one NOW! the prices keep rising.

Im the skintest I've been in a long time.?

May be able to afford one in the next couple of years.....

By which time I'll be getting well and truly hounded by the MIL to impregnate her daughter.... Apparently I'll only get away with "practicing" for so long....

But one day I will get one... One day.... ?

 

[art]

I would not like to drive one to Spain..Slow,noisy,thirsty. Heater useless..Not a good motor back when they were new.BUSBY.

I drove to Spain several times 2 adults 3 kids and once 3 adults 3 kids with all camping gear each time returning through Andorra a nd mountains (plus Picos)great memories.

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[mitzimad]

just remembered one bloke i used to work for had a bay van for work we were working 20miles away and the weather was bitter we used to light a fire as soon as we got there to warm up coldest ive ever been he sold it to another bloke we worked with and he had a gaz bottle and heater alight in the footwell

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Yes, I remember being stuck almost stationary traffic approaching M25 tunnel. A T2 complete with stickers and surfboards being driven by a dude with suntan, singlet and tattoos was alongside me in the outside lane. after 20 minutes he starts frantically gesticulating at me and trying to move over, so as he moved in front in a desperate attempt to get to the hard shoulder, I noted the smell and the blue haze coming from the rear of the vehicle. I hope it didn't catch fire and was simply a well cooked engine.

It must be an age thing, but the vehicle had obviously had thousands spent on it but still looked utterly unattractive and ridiculously posey. He probably thought the same about me and the jaaaag though. Each to their own. I "get" the whole VW camper scene as quite a few friends have them but wouldn't be seen dead in one personally (noted that they use T5's and T6's as the ubiquitous "private ambulances" so I am even wrong there )

When attending music festivals I have seen quite a few VW camper vans having to be towed onto site after overheating in the queue to get in. Surely overheating has gotta reduce the cool factor.

 

[GAVLAD]

I bought this from a lady that I worked with as an MOT failure for £500.
My thinking was to get it through its test and have a summer of weekend getaways before selling it on.
After getting it home and going through all of the things she had given me, there was a cardboard box full of its history and every receipt from new.
It was a VW T2 Westfalia Continental Malaga - 1974. Quite a rare model these days and one of the better manufacturers of the day.
So, I decided to 'do it up' properly.
A full body rebuild (it, like most, was a rot box that the Flintstones would have been proud of), engine strip and rebuild, interior make over and the list went on.

We used it to go to Normandy to visit the WW2 Landing Beaches. - One of the best holidays I've had on wheels.
Below was our final trip - to Cornwall. It took us 10 hours, ladened to the galley, roof rack and trailer and bike rack.
I remember getting there and setting our stall out and then dropping into bed knackered.
A guy rocked up in his motorhome on the pitch opposite and plugged in his electric cable, got his chair out and sat drinking beer watching me struggle to put the awning up on my own whilst my wife took our baby to the shower block.
Apart from thinking what an R-Sole for sitting and watching me struggle, I thought, that's it, I'm getting a motorhome next. And a big one to fit all of our crap in it.
I sold the VW a few months later for £18,000. - making a little profit, not the £17,500 difference!
Looking back, it was a labour of love and my pride & joy. Everyone seemed to smile or wave when they saw it. Unfortunately, we had 3 lads pay a visit during the night and steel the VW badge causing no end of paint damage in the process - I caught up with them though!
It is a cult thing now to own a classic VW and there's a massive market for them.
Unfortunately, there's also a massive market for them getting nicked. Mine had an alarm and immobiliser and tracker on it. I still read about 'the pride & joy getting nicked' and often wonder what deterrents they had on the van?
Even going to the VW related festivals attracts the scum. We were looking at a van for sale with the owner showing my brother the inside and someone stole (and was seen and caught) stealing it's centre when hub caps - whilst we were inside it at the show.
Going back to the OP. It's each to their own.
I now look at panel van conversions and think to myself why would you buy one of those when you could own a proper motorhome?

 

[MyrtleGuru]

It could be you also have to take an interest in growing"special plants"

Reminds me of overnighting in the queue for the ferry in Bilbao. After a little while we began to refer to the ancient campervan in front of us as the "Stoners' Van" as they were clearly finishing off their stash before having to go through UK Customs.

 

[DIY campervan]

I'm writing something about the different sorts of motorhome there are but I'm stuck when it comes to the VW T2.

View attachment 382664

I can think of disadvantages to owning one but I'm struggling to see the attractions. Clearly they are hugely important to some people and they can command very high prices.

Is it something to do with the surfer image? Trying to stay young? I'm not trying to be rude about them or fall out with anyone it is just at the moment all I can say about VW T2s is "they are very popular" and then finding it impossible not to follow that statement up with "for some reason".

Can anyone help me out? What are the reasons?

Great investment and very cool jalopy but don't buy one to actually go travelling long distances in because ultimately they are a death trap. You are sat like 12 inches back from the outside of the impact zone in the event of a crash. No crumple zone or long bonnet to cushion the blow if you do, god forbid. Probably doesnt have seatbelts? But defo no airbags! Im afraid they should be consigned to the museum on health n safety grounds on many counts. But defo a cool machine.



Great investment and very cool jalopy but don't buy one to actually go travelling long distances in because ultimately they are a death trap. You are sat like 12 inches back from the outside of the impact zone in the event of a crash. No crumple zone or long bonnet to cushion the blow if you do God forbid if you have an argument with an oncoming vehicle. Probably doesnt have seatbelts? But defo no airbags! Im afraid they should be consigned to the museum on health n saftey ground on many counts. But defo cool as.

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[Paulypaul]

Our 63 split didnt have seatbelts. I fitted some lap belts but that's about it but to be honest, it doesn't cross your mind when you're driving. We started 20 years ago with a 74 bay and although it ran a fresh 1600 twin port, it wasn't a racing machine. It would doe going up hills but it had all the mod cons like 3 point seat belts and 12v halogen headlights. We then brought in a 67 split from California which was totally stock running a 1500 and we were hooked.that was sold a couple of years later after finding our present split, a 63 that was brought in from Arizona. It had partially been modified by a poor lowering job so I fitted a narrowed lowered front beam, dropped spindles brakes all round and then went about buying all the components to replace the 1776 cc engine that was fitted but was tired.

After 18 months I had accumulated all the parts to be built into a fresh ally race case and a few quid later we had a new 1955cc engine coupled to a freeway flyer gearbox that pulled like a train and is a right buzz to drive.

There's a club called "BWA" buses with attitude. To join you have to record a timed quarter of a mile run in sub 18 seconds. Although it was tempting to see what the engine had in it I didnt fancy the chance of ripping out a drive shaft on pull away so I never tried but as far as safety goes with a vehicle like a split, it's a second thought.

Mind you, it's no different to most other classic cars as far as safety is concerned. Take a Hillman Imp or a Triumph Herald etc, bone of them had extra safety features.

When we're out in the bus you tend not to think of worse case scenarios. Mind you, if we did think like that we probably wouldn't want to drive an A class moho cause that's hardly built for safety?

 

[Mikey RV]

How about this rare beast.

 

[DIY campervan]

Our 63 split didnt have seatbelts. I fitted some lap belts but that's about it but to be honest, it doesn't cross your mind when you're driving. We started 20 years ago with a 74 bay and although it ran a fresh 1600 twin port, it wasn't a racing machine. It would doe going up hills but it had all the mod cons like 3 point seat belts and 12v halogen headlights. We then brought in a 67 split from California which was totally stock running a 1500 and we were hooked.that was sold a couple of years later after finding our present split, a 63 that was brought in from Arizona. It had partially been modified by a poor lowering job so I fitted a narrowed lowered front beam, dropped spindles brakes all round and then went about buying all the components to replace the 1776 cc engine that was fitted but was tired.

After 18 months I had accumulated all the parts to be built into a fresh ally race case and a few quid later we had a new 1955cc engine coupled to a freeway flyer gearbox that pulled like a train and is a right buzz to drive.

There's a club called "BWA" buses with attitude. To join you have to record a timed quarter of a mile run in sub 18 seconds. Although it was tempting to see what the engine had in it I didnt fancy the chance of ripping out a drive shaft on pull away so I never tried but as far as safety goes with a vehicle like a split, it's a second thought.

Mind you, it's no different to most other classic cars as far as safety is concerned. Take a Hillman Imp or a Triumph Herald etc, bone of them had extra safety features.

When we're out in the bus you tend not to think of worse case scenarios. Mind you, if we did think like that we probably wouldn't want to drive an A class moho cause that's hardly built for safety?

Im impressed, your a classic person who loves their classic vehicle to the point of spending a large amount of cash on it. You have also wisely spent it on safety features which is brilliant and commendable. If someone said to me where gunna travel along the italian coast in this fully restored split screen , i wouldn't be able to wipe the smile off my face if I'm honest because they are so desirable and you can understand why they are worth so much. My comment is based on a worse case scenario and i don't mean to scare people or be a kill joy but just something to be aware of if considering buying one. Im sure they are a whole load more safer than a motorbike and there are millions of them!

 

[LesW]

There's no doubt that as a classic vehicle to be enjoyed as such, they're right up there with any other classic vehicle.

 

[Wagoneer]

Best of both worlds.......a VW Type 2 with caravan on the back Jurgens Autovilla produced in South Africa. They also did one with a luton. Seen a few in the UK.

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