VW campervan body conversion.....
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm looking to see if anyone would be interested in being involved with a brand new project to build a replica of the iconic T1 split screen VW camper van. I have body conversion plans and donor vehicle already purchased as well as rough moulds taken to assess fit over the donor....and it does!!
There is a huge market for these vehicles but their age and unreliability make them undesirable for most. Imagine the legendary looks but with relatively new underpinnings and comfortable interior?
I need to put together a small team with fibreglass and body conversion/kit car experience(and/or enthusiasm) to push the project forward. I am based around Manchester but location should not be a problem if you are genuinely interested.
Look forward to hearing your responses!!....I hope!
The cape.
I'm looking to see if anyone would be interested in being involved with a brand new project to build a replica of the iconic T1 split screen VW camper van. I have body conversion plans and donor vehicle already purchased as well as rough moulds taken to assess fit over the donor....and it does!!
There is a huge market for these vehicles but their age and unreliability make them undesirable for most. Imagine the legendary looks but with relatively new underpinnings and comfortable interior?
I need to put together a small team with fibreglass and body conversion/kit car experience(and/or enthusiasm) to push the project forward. I am based around Manchester but location should not be a problem if you are genuinely interested.
Look forward to hearing your responses!!....I hope!
The cape.
Splitty is hugely desirable but you can buy a nice, decent, usable one for £20k without any trouble at all. You can even get a show winner for £25k.
So I think there needs to be a fair price differential between your completed conversion (camper kitted out) versus the real thing to offset potential stigma otherwise it'll go the way of MR2 355 conversions. If you can't be on the road all done for £10-12k I think you're stuffed. Plus the dub scene can be very fickle. All IMHO of course.
Best chance of success IMHO is to replicate for the most expensive of splits - so a 23 window with safaris?
Hmmm, what current people carrier has a 2400mm wheelbase....
I wish you the very best with the project.
So I think there needs to be a fair price differential between your completed conversion (camper kitted out) versus the real thing to offset potential stigma otherwise it'll go the way of MR2 355 conversions. If you can't be on the road all done for £10-12k I think you're stuffed. Plus the dub scene can be very fickle. All IMHO of course.
Best chance of success IMHO is to replicate for the most expensive of splits - so a 23 window with safaris?
Hmmm, what current people carrier has a 2400mm wheelbase....
I wish you the very best with the project.
This is the new version...
http://www.danburymotorcaravans.com/index.php?opti...
I think they're imported from somewhere else in the world where they're still making them.
http://www.danburymotorcaravans.com/index.php?opti...
I think they're imported from somewhere else in the world where they're still making them.
Hey guys,
Thanks for your responses so far. To answer a few points raised....
I think a self build could be completed for a minimum of 12k...ish
Danbury just convert the bay window imported T2 vans, not the T1 split screen which is way more desirable, and their cheapest campers come in at 25k(& up to 50k!!) I think I'd be looking at a very different market.
As for the new VW bulli, it's a totally different beast.
I accept the hardcore VW enthusiasts would never consider this, it's like saying that a real Ferrari enthusiast would consider a MR2 conversion. That's just not the market, I'm thinking of people just like myself who love it's styling but could never live with the real thing and are not militant about original VWs.
I appreciate real split screens can be brought for about 20k, but are horrific to drive and have 50 year old running gear and notoriously unreliable. I propose a reliable, relatively modern underpinned, comfortable interior, efficient vehicle which can cruise motorways but which looks just like the original T1. The dimensions would be just about perfect with a slightly shorter wheelbase.
So.... Do you guys reckon there's a market? Would you fork out 10-15k for all of the above?
Thanks for your responses so far. To answer a few points raised....
I think a self build could be completed for a minimum of 12k...ish
Danbury just convert the bay window imported T2 vans, not the T1 split screen which is way more desirable, and their cheapest campers come in at 25k(& up to 50k!!) I think I'd be looking at a very different market.
As for the new VW bulli, it's a totally different beast.
I accept the hardcore VW enthusiasts would never consider this, it's like saying that a real Ferrari enthusiast would consider a MR2 conversion. That's just not the market, I'm thinking of people just like myself who love it's styling but could never live with the real thing and are not militant about original VWs.
I appreciate real split screens can be brought for about 20k, but are horrific to drive and have 50 year old running gear and notoriously unreliable. I propose a reliable, relatively modern underpinned, comfortable interior, efficient vehicle which can cruise motorways but which looks just like the original T1. The dimensions would be just about perfect with a slightly shorter wheelbase.
So.... Do you guys reckon there's a market? Would you fork out 10-15k for all of the above?
The cape said:
...and are not militant about original VWs.
I appreciate real split screens can be brought for about 20k, but are horrific to drive and have 50 year old running gear and notoriously unreliable. I propose a reliable, relatively modern underpinned, comfortable interior, efficient vehicle which can cruise motorways but which looks just like the original T1. The dimensions would be just about perfect with a slightly shorter wheelbase.
I don't think you have to be militant VW to appreciate that a plastic T1 is missing the point. Unreliability is there in ANY vehicle that is not maintained and T1s and T2s can be reliable if looked after. It takes a decent schedule and 3000mile oil changes aren't for everyone, but they form part of the 'back-in-time' attitude which also, of course, takes in your idea that they are 'horrific' to drive. Drive one for any length of time and so long as you aren't in a hurry, it's a fantastic laid-back way to travel. I appreciate real split screens can be brought for about 20k, but are horrific to drive and have 50 year old running gear and notoriously unreliable. I propose a reliable, relatively modern underpinned, comfortable interior, efficient vehicle which can cruise motorways but which looks just like the original T1. The dimensions would be just about perfect with a slightly shorter wheelbase.
Having said that I think I'd take an earlybay over a split.
The Cape - I think you've already convinced yourself, lol!
Before you embark on this I would urge you to ask yourself one question: How many successful kit car classic replicas can you think of with modern underpinnings AND a price differential of £10k between the build cost and the real thing?
The MR2/355 market was very bouyant to start with - certainly enough to sustain at least 3 manufacturers. It fell apart due to stigma and the price differential dropping massively.
I think you'd be better taking the rodders approach like in 32 Deuce builds. If you think outside the box a bit - maybe a hot rodded body e.g. roof chop and widened, maybe even blistered arches, I don't know! Drag split
Or how about a rat look split that never, ever needs welding - just put iron powder in the mold and leave the resulting shell out in the rain for a week or two (old rodders trick).
Before you embark on this I would urge you to ask yourself one question: How many successful kit car classic replicas can you think of with modern underpinnings AND a price differential of £10k between the build cost and the real thing?
The MR2/355 market was very bouyant to start with - certainly enough to sustain at least 3 manufacturers. It fell apart due to stigma and the price differential dropping massively.
I think you'd be better taking the rodders approach like in 32 Deuce builds. If you think outside the box a bit - maybe a hot rodded body e.g. roof chop and widened, maybe even blistered arches, I don't know! Drag split
Or how about a rat look split that never, ever needs welding - just put iron powder in the mold and leave the resulting shell out in the rain for a week or two (old rodders trick).
Edited by smash on Saturday 10th September 18:46
Edited by smash on Saturday 10th September 18:48
What's the point of having an old VW camper van, if it isn't an old VW camper van?
Fake exotics have a market because they are a pastiche of something aspirational. The owners think something of the exotic will reflect on them, like wearing a fake Rolex.
How many would you sell per year, how many sold after 5 years?
Fake exotics have a market because they are a pastiche of something aspirational. The owners think something of the exotic will reflect on them, like wearing a fake Rolex.
How many would you sell per year, how many sold after 5 years?
really appreciate all your opinions, very useful to know what you all think.
Just to say that the main premise of this project is to get the look of the original but with a fairly modern base, so I would hope it appeals to a different kind of person to the one who wants classic motoring or an 'exotic'. I would see it as a practical everyday useable 'mpv' vehicle, also with potential for business's who are always looking for something distinctive.
The plan is going to be to get the first one built and then reveal it....guess the response will dictate wether or not the project can be a viable/sustainable business. Guess we'll wait and see.
In the meantime keep the opinions rolling in....positive and negative.....as long as they are constructive! And just email me if you are interested in being involved.
Cheers.
The Cape.
Just to say that the main premise of this project is to get the look of the original but with a fairly modern base, so I would hope it appeals to a different kind of person to the one who wants classic motoring or an 'exotic'. I would see it as a practical everyday useable 'mpv' vehicle, also with potential for business's who are always looking for something distinctive.
The plan is going to be to get the first one built and then reveal it....guess the response will dictate wether or not the project can be a viable/sustainable business. Guess we'll wait and see.
In the meantime keep the opinions rolling in....positive and negative.....as long as they are constructive! And just email me if you are interested in being involved.
Cheers.
The Cape.
TvrJohn said:
Interesting idea, i ran a '71 tax exempt bay for 18 months, was kool but the handling and road noise, lack of power, poor brakes did get me down.
Can you show us what you have got so far ?
Havent owned one (working on a Karmann Beetle currently) but I'd imagine they would be hard to live with - the rust issue is a biggie too! If it was modern yet looked old I'd be interested but at a minimum of 12K I'm not so sure.Can you show us what you have got so far ?
Are we talking about a van, at say 2K, having 10K spent on it to look like a Splittie - when you say 12K do you mean full camping interior, paint, everything done? How much would a microbus type conversion cost in comparision (minus a sprayjob (if indeed that is included in the price). eg. Looking good outside and just seats inside!
Definately interesting and I reckon I'm the type of guy that he's aiming at but 12 grand??
Costs.
Obviously I don't yet have definite figures but the donor should be no more than 1-2k, I would expect the kit to cost about 5-6k, add a couple of grand for extras, maybe 1k for paint, the interior wouldn't need to be touched in most cases. So I reckon a self built version might just be able to hit he road for 10k.
i've said 12k because as we all know things always cost more than we think!
Obviously I don't yet have definite figures but the donor should be no more than 1-2k, I would expect the kit to cost about 5-6k, add a couple of grand for extras, maybe 1k for paint, the interior wouldn't need to be touched in most cases. So I reckon a self built version might just be able to hit he road for 10k.
i've said 12k because as we all know things always cost more than we think!
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