1963 Volkswagen T2 Split Screen Camper

Highlights

• Split windscreen

• Upgraded 1,760 cc engine

• Twin-choke Weber carburettor

• Retro two-tone paint and upholstery

• High-quality interior with modern conveniences

Overview

Some designs get better with age, and that’s certainly true of VW’s unmistakable Type 2 platform, which started life way back in the 1940s when a Dutchman visited the Volkswagen factory and saw that a Type 1 (Beetle) floorpan had been converted for moving parts around the factory floor. The T2 was in production before the end of the 1940s, and would go on to form the backbone of the campervan movement which is going strong today.

The example seen here was produced in Brazil, like many of these fabulous retro buses. It was imported to the UK where it was first registered in 2016, and received extensive restoration work to create a beautiful and very usable campervan. It received a respray in two-tone blue and off-white, as well as a retrimmed interior in matching vinyl. 

Opening windows all round, with chrome frames and fittings add to the car’s retro charm, along with the wooden-slatted roof rack, polished hubcaps, and running boards along the sides. The interior remains light and spacious, with the half-height bulkhead allowing good visibility. At the front there is seating for three, and the rear bench seat folds down easily to create a bed. 

There are a few modern conveniences, including the cupboard/worksurface unit behind the bulkhead. This features a sink and gas burner, as well as a brilliantly disguised 24-inch TV screen, which raises at the press of a remote control. 

Mechanical upgrades also help to make this VW more suited to driving in modern traffic. The vendor states that the engine has been rebuilt and upgraded to 1,760 cc specification, with a long-stroke crankshaft and twin-choke Weber carburettor, which brings it up to an output of around 90 bhp, with much improved acceleration to match. It has also reportedly had a full brake overhaul and mechanical check to prepare it for sale. In short, it’s ready to go.

History and documentation

• Manufactured in Brazil

• V5 document states ‘Declared manufactured 1963’

• First registered in the UK in Jan 2016

• Restored in the UK

• Sadly no paperwork as the information was all stored digitally and the computer was lost; the restorer also subsequently went out of business which means that no paperwork could be recovered from them

• One former UK keeper 

• One full set of keys, with some duplicates 

• The odometer is showing just over 70,000 km

• The most recent MOT expired in Jul 2019

• MOT and road tax exempt

• Registered as a Historic Vehicle

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Current registered keeper since Mar 2019

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ exempt

Interior

• Well-designed interior making good use of the available space

• Double doors on the right-hand side of the van allow excellent access

• It remains beautifully retro without compromising on modern conveniences

• White vinyl upholstery with blue piping 

• Fold-down rear bench seat / rock & roll bed

• Half-height bulkhead makes the interior feel light and spacious 

• Sleek, modern cupboard and work surface unit

• A 24-inch screen is concealed under the work surface and rises with a remote-controlled mechanism

• HDMI and AUX inputs integrated into the unit

• Integrated sink with pop-up tap, and single gas burner

• 240V sockets and USB charging points

• Overhead reading lamps integrated into the storage cupboards 

• Under the sink are both clean and used water containers, gas bottle, slide-out cool box and electrical wiring 

• There are fitted window covers with magnetic attachments sewn in

• Comes with a variety of camping accessories to get the new owner started.

• The driver and two front passengers are provided with matching white vinyl seats with blue piping

• Three-spoke thin-rimmed steering wheel

• Long-throw gearstick

• Retro blue metal dashboard

• Classic-style stereo with push-buttons

• The split windscreen panels can be opened for excellent ventilation, along with the rest of the windows 

• Full-length headlining 

• Spare wheel stowed behind the front seats 

• Fabulous curved glass in the rear quarter lights 

Exterior

• Desirable early split windscreen model

• The seller tells us that this T2 was restored shortly after it was imported into the UK

• Its two-tone paint scheme in light blue and off-white is ultra cool and suits the camper perfectly

• Chrome strip added during restoration

• Plenty of chrome trim, including hubcaps, bumpers, door handles, and window frames

• The body panels are in very good condition 

• No significant scratches or dents that we could see

• 15-inch steel wheels, wider than standard

• Some clouding to the headlamp fairings

• Gutter-mounted roof rack with wooden slats 

• The external door hinges have been repainted in places

• Long-arm wing mirrors

• Running boards

• The underside looks very clean, with only a few small spots of corrosion visible 

• There are photographs on file showing this VW’s bodywork restoration and full respray

Mechanical

• 1,760 cc air-cooled flat-four engine

• Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive

• The seller tells us that the engine was rebuilt and upgraded during the restoration

• The 1,760 cc engine is built using a longer stroke crankshaft, which means it has more torque than standard

• Twin-choke Weber carburettor fitted 

• Said to produce around 90 bhp

• The engine bay is very clean, as is the underside of the vehicle 

• Twin batteries, both with cutout switches 

• Recently, the brakes are said to have been completely overhauled along with a mechanical service and check prior to sale

• The seller tells us that the car starts first time, sounds great, keeps up with modern traffic, and stops well

• No mechanical issues reported 

Summary

It’s clear to see that this T2 has been thoroughly upgraded for use as a camper. You could easily jump in it, head off on an adventurous weekend away. But most importantly, you’ll look super cool on the road and at your camping spot of choice. We suggest a sandy beach with a warm breeze and a golden sunset. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Wallasey, Wirral.