VW T25 restoration
Discussion
After many years of wanting a VW camper van (since I was 10!) i’ve finally taken the plunge and bought one! - Well, when I say bought one, I mean a rolling shell with stacks of boxes overflowing with nuts, bolts and parts that can only be described as ‘knackered’! What have I done??!
I’ve trawled the internet for the last couple of years trying to find the right one, thinking I could get a solid one that I can just get in and drive with very little work needed and then I buy this...
It’s probably quicker if I tell you what it does have fitted... Steel wheels, steering wheel and an engine but don’t stand behind when I start her up, you may never be seen again! Ok, so slight exaggeration but if you like fresh air and working lungs, take heed :-P
A luxury drivers seat (cushion optional and easy to valet) You’d be wrong if you thought it had a gear stick. That’s snapped at the base and has a metal tube slotted over the nub – I consider it an excellent security feature. Beat that Thatcham!
Looking very sorry for itself. Being optimistic though, the lights are on and work! That should satisfy My MOT guy... possibly.
Ok, so I set out around 2 years ago to find my perfect camper and i’ve bought this. I’d made offers for campers that were immaculate and fully kitted out but got rejected. Then I see this and within an hour, ive arranged a viewing, knowing full well that I was going to buy it. Insanity perhaps? I guess that’s part of it as i’ve tinkered with all of my other cars but nowhere near on the scale of this mammoth task
20 years ago, my father had a 7 seater VW Caravelle and we travelled everywhere in it. We had many trips to France and around the UK over the time that he owned it and although my mum was not a big fan of it, I thought it was fantastic!
Well, when I saw the front of this ... errm shell... on fleabay, I instantly emailed the seller, giving him the registration number of my dad’s Caravelle and asked if it was the same. When he came back to me and said it was, I felt like a kid in a candy store! The adrenaline kicked in and I knew I had to have it. We agreed in principal, an amount for it to be removed from Ebay and then I went to view it, dad in tow. When we started her up, despite the smoke bellowing out, the sound of the engine brought back so many memories and it would have taken a crowbar to remove the smile from our faces!
Here’s how she looked 20 years ago (taken in the Loire Valley, France) with me at the door!
So now it’s a waiting game for her to come home, albeit on the back of a recovery truck! I’ll post more when I start doing the work!
Excited is an understatement!
If anyone knows where I can find a gear stick (or full assembly), it would be much appreciated! Ive scoured the net and drawn a blank so far!
I’ve trawled the internet for the last couple of years trying to find the right one, thinking I could get a solid one that I can just get in and drive with very little work needed and then I buy this...
It’s probably quicker if I tell you what it does have fitted... Steel wheels, steering wheel and an engine but don’t stand behind when I start her up, you may never be seen again! Ok, so slight exaggeration but if you like fresh air and working lungs, take heed :-P
A luxury drivers seat (cushion optional and easy to valet) You’d be wrong if you thought it had a gear stick. That’s snapped at the base and has a metal tube slotted over the nub – I consider it an excellent security feature. Beat that Thatcham!
Looking very sorry for itself. Being optimistic though, the lights are on and work! That should satisfy My MOT guy... possibly.
Ok, so I set out around 2 years ago to find my perfect camper and i’ve bought this. I’d made offers for campers that were immaculate and fully kitted out but got rejected. Then I see this and within an hour, ive arranged a viewing, knowing full well that I was going to buy it. Insanity perhaps? I guess that’s part of it as i’ve tinkered with all of my other cars but nowhere near on the scale of this mammoth task
20 years ago, my father had a 7 seater VW Caravelle and we travelled everywhere in it. We had many trips to France and around the UK over the time that he owned it and although my mum was not a big fan of it, I thought it was fantastic!
Well, when I saw the front of this ... errm shell... on fleabay, I instantly emailed the seller, giving him the registration number of my dad’s Caravelle and asked if it was the same. When he came back to me and said it was, I felt like a kid in a candy store! The adrenaline kicked in and I knew I had to have it. We agreed in principal, an amount for it to be removed from Ebay and then I went to view it, dad in tow. When we started her up, despite the smoke bellowing out, the sound of the engine brought back so many memories and it would have taken a crowbar to remove the smile from our faces!
Here’s how she looked 20 years ago (taken in the Loire Valley, France) with me at the door!
So now it’s a waiting game for her to come home, albeit on the back of a recovery truck! I’ll post more when I start doing the work!
Excited is an understatement!
If anyone knows where I can find a gear stick (or full assembly), it would be much appreciated! Ive scoured the net and drawn a blank so far!
Fantastic! What a great story, has to be something in that, meant to be!
I had a t25 Devon conversion for a few years. Loved it but sold it due to lack of use. Great vans.
Have a look on here: http://www.club80-90.co.uk/
I had a t25 Devon conversion for a few years. Loved it but sold it due to lack of use. Great vans.
Have a look on here: http://www.club80-90.co.uk/
cat220 said:
Fantastic! What a great story, has to be something in that, meant to be!
I had a t25 Devon conversion for a few years. Loved it but sold it due to lack of use. Great vans.
Have a look on here: http://www.club80-90.co.uk/
Thanks for this cat220, ill get registered on there! it seems to be that people wait until someone is breaking theirs and then get the gear mechanicals off that! I had a t25 Devon conversion for a few years. Loved it but sold it due to lack of use. Great vans.
Have a look on here: http://www.club80-90.co.uk/
I bet you were gutted when you sold it
i'll be selling my car to fund this project and then using the camper daily! 
PeanutHead said:
Bookmarked.
My dad had an old rover back in the early eighties, probably making the rounds as a couple of tins of chopped tomatoes sitting on the shelf at morrisons now.
Glad you got round to starting the thread.
Haha!! love it Peanut! i've probably saved this van from the same fate!My dad had an old rover back in the early eighties, probably making the rounds as a couple of tins of chopped tomatoes sitting on the shelf at morrisons now.
Glad you got round to starting the thread.
I'm not a fan of the T25 but that's ace. Good luck with itBrilliant!
What are the chances of finding that eh? I'm sure there'll be headaches and swearing along the way but it will be mega rewarding too bring it back up to scratch. Good luck, I'll be watching with interest.
I never liked the T25s much either (well compared to the older ones) but, after realizing how slow the bays and splits are it was my only option really.
Just picked this up 3 weeks ago. Converted panel van. Really well thought out and has a 2.5 Subaru Legacy engine in the back.
Off to France and Switzerland in 4 weeks (hopefully). Can't wait.
What are the chances of finding that eh? I'm sure there'll be headaches and swearing along the way but it will be mega rewarding too bring it back up to scratch. Good luck, I'll be watching with interest.
I never liked the T25s much either (well compared to the older ones) but, after realizing how slow the bays and splits are it was my only option really.
Just picked this up 3 weeks ago. Converted panel van. Really well thought out and has a 2.5 Subaru Legacy engine in the back.
Off to France and Switzerland in 4 weeks (hopefully). Can't wait.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Epic project - with bonus nostalgia.
When you think you have bitten off more than you can chew - http://www.ppcmag.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9639
It sure is! hopefully I can pull it off! I can't get onto that link for some reason...When you think you have bitten off more than you can chew - http://www.ppcmag.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9639
davepoth said:
Lovely story. OP, how solid is the shell? Looks pretty sturdy from the picture, had the previous owner got bored with a restoration or something?
shell is in pretty good shape. Underside is sold. It just needs slight attention to the bottom of the windscreen frame (rust about 4 inches where the seal sits) needs a new driver side step and rear wheel arches. Although they could be repaired with a bit of filler, i'd rather replace them and at £34 a panel, its probably just as cheap! Plus, I dont want to scrimp on it. I'd rather it be done to perfection.The previous owner had only had it a year and had stripped it down to respray and convert to a camper but something happened (not with the van) and he just wanted rid. Prior that, it had been stored for 8 years.
marky911 said:
Brilliant!
What are the chances of finding that eh? I'm sure there'll be headaches and swearing along the way but it will be mega rewarding too bring it back up to scratch. Good luck, I'll be watching with interest.
I never liked the T25s much either (well compared to the older ones) but, after realizing how slow the bays and splits are it was my only option really.
Just picked this up 3 weeks ago. Converted panel van. Really well thought out and has a 2.5 Subaru Legacy engine in the back.
Off to France and Switzerland in 4 weeks (hopefully). Can't wait.
I'd practically given up searching for it. Ive always wanted a splitty but they're all way more than I can afford. I'd never really thought about getting a bay, its always been a split or a T25 and its fantastic that I can bring this one back to life! Hopefully getting it delivered at the weekend. What are the chances of finding that eh? I'm sure there'll be headaches and swearing along the way but it will be mega rewarding too bring it back up to scratch. Good luck, I'll be watching with interest.
I never liked the T25s much either (well compared to the older ones) but, after realizing how slow the bays and splits are it was my only option really.
Just picked this up 3 weeks ago. Converted panel van. Really well thought out and has a 2.5 Subaru Legacy engine in the back.
Off to France and Switzerland in 4 weeks (hopefully). Can't wait.
Your van looks in top condition and with a 2.5 legacy in i bet its not lacking power! what does it churn out? 150BHP? I hope you have a great time touring round. Thats something I hope to do in the not too distant future!
Late reply, bloomin' nightshifts! 
Yes my van had a full body refurb about 4 years ago, including all new panels etc and a respray in Audi Polar white. Unfortunately it already has very minor beginnings of seam rash in 1 or 2 places, but at least I know the whole shell is metal, no filler at all. I think these vans are a constant project, especially body wise.
The camper conversion and engine conversion were done 5000 miles ago, so barely run in. It's a 165bhp n/a Legacy engine but still on the vw 4 speed box. It uses a proper bellhousing conversion not just an adaptor plate and the box and diff are strengthened but since the box was designed for 70bhp I don't do any racing starts. 
Great power though.
Vanagon, are you restoring the van to standard original condition or are you doing a camper conversion? To be honest what we are learning is all you really need in the van is a bed. We have a drive-away awning for seating, eating and cooking, as we have a plug in electric stove and there is also an external gas outlet for a gas stove. The fridge and sink in the van are handy but you can buy a plug in fridge anyway, 12v or mains.
I take it you're leaving the original colour scheme since that's how you remember the van? I would and it's a cool retro colour anyway. Looks great.
Do you have a timescale in mind or are you just taking it as it comes? Big project!
Yes my van had a full body refurb about 4 years ago, including all new panels etc and a respray in Audi Polar white. Unfortunately it already has very minor beginnings of seam rash in 1 or 2 places, but at least I know the whole shell is metal, no filler at all. I think these vans are a constant project, especially body wise.
The camper conversion and engine conversion were done 5000 miles ago, so barely run in. It's a 165bhp n/a Legacy engine but still on the vw 4 speed box.
It uses a proper bellhousing conversion not just an adaptor plate and the box and diff are strengthened but since the box was designed for 70bhp I don't do any racing starts. Great power though.Vanagon, are you restoring the van to standard original condition or are you doing a camper conversion? To be honest what we are learning is all you really need in the van is a bed. We have a drive-away awning for seating, eating and cooking, as we have a plug in electric stove and there is also an external gas outlet for a gas stove. The fridge and sink in the van are handy but you can buy a plug in fridge anyway, 12v or mains.
I take it you're leaving the original colour scheme since that's how you remember the van? I would and it's a cool retro colour anyway. Looks great.
Do you have a timescale in mind or are you just taking it as it comes? Big project!
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
if yours needs the work the link shows, I would slowly turnaround and run. Run like the wind !!!!
haha! I surely would have done! they're brave for taking that on. im a man with moderate knowledge when it comes to cars so it will be a steep learning curve. im also going to take some welding lessons from a mate who has restored a bay window from pretty much the same condition so hopefully I can do a lot of it myself and feel the pride!Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff