Split-screen Campers- what to look for?
Discussion
Say, for the sake of argument, that someone you know is really, really keen on a split screen camper van from the 60's, what would you look for? I've never driven one and assume they're horrid to drive, slow and uncomfortable. But even I would admit they're a bit cool. Given the amount of time and money that's been invested in a restored one, I'm not that surprised at the prices either. This video also piqued my interest if I'm being honest http://bridgetogantry.com/index.php?option=com_con...
Take this for example http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/686995.htm What on earth would you check, beyond the obvious mechanical condition, bodywork etc to know you were looking at a good one?
Take this for example http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/686995.htm What on earth would you check, beyond the obvious mechanical condition, bodywork etc to know you were looking at a good one?
Electrics. Splitscreens are generally 6volt from the factory. Some have been converted to 12 (like that one) in various extents. 6v can be a pain as you'll need converters for any accessories (radio etc) and you can't easily run an inverter off it.
You're right, utterly awful to drive and dangerously slow. A friend has a '78 bay window camper and even that's stretched at 65 on the motorway.
edit: that one looks really rather nice. All the kit you'd want to put on one (bar a pop top, but not sure if that was a bay only thing).
You're right, utterly awful to drive and dangerously slow. A friend has a '78 bay window camper and even that's stretched at 65 on the motorway.
edit: that one looks really rather nice. All the kit you'd want to put on one (bar a pop top, but not sure if that was a bay only thing).
Edited by agent006 on Friday 5th September 13:09
agent006 said:
Electrics. Splitscreens are generally 6volt from the factory. Some have been converted to 12 (like that one) in various extents. 6v can be a pain as you'll need converters for any accessories (radio etc) and you can't easily run an inverter off it.
You're right, utterly awful to drive and dangerously slow. A friend has a '78 bay window camper and even that's stretched at 65 on the motorway.
Thanks! That would explain why I see adverts saying 'cruises nicely at 60mph' like it's a good thing. You're right, utterly awful to drive and dangerously slow. A friend has a '78 bay window camper and even that's stretched at 65 on the motorway.
Give Jon Abbott a call a vw JAVA - he's usually got something interesting and rare for sale or he'll build you something special. Top expert advice and knowledge too, he's been in the game for many years, is well respected and has built some great show vehicles. www.vwjava.com
Other than mechanical condition and bodywork, what is there you'd want to look at?! (well other than electrics of course)
If you're looking for all original features etc, you need to get a book on them as they are too numerous in their variety to get a comprehensive list.
They do rot very badly though, and are very frequently bodged with shed loads of filler. Nothing on them that's really expensive but there is always the odd part that can be hard to get hold of, especially if it's one of the rarer varieties.
If you're looking for all original features etc, you need to get a book on them as they are too numerous in their variety to get a comprehensive list.
They do rot very badly though, and are very frequently bodged with shed loads of filler. Nothing on them that's really expensive but there is always the odd part that can be hard to get hold of, especially if it's one of the rarer varieties.
Davi said:
Other than mechanical condition and bodywork, what is there you'd want to look at?! (well other than electrics of course)
That's why I'm posing the question! I didn't know the originals were 6V for instance and am fishing for any other idiosyncrasies that I should look out for. This type of 'car' is so far outside my experience I'm a bit lost.. 456mgt said:
Davi said:
Other than mechanical condition and bodywork, what is there you'd want to look at?! (well other than electrics of course)
That's why I'm posing the question! I didn't know the originals were 6V for instance and am fishing for any other idiosyncrasies that I should look out for. This type of 'car' is so far outside my experience I'm a bit lost.. They really aren't that different from a beetle, fastback or indeed any of the other VW's of that era, and not really anything more than a car with big bodywork so I wouldn't worry unduly, but it'd be worth getting any prospective purchase checked over by a specialist from the rot point of view - I've seen some real horrors in the past, all hidden under a pristine coat of paint.
IIRC the steering boxes on them tended to suffer, but it's difficult to spot because the steering is bloody awful anyway. If you look at lowered ones, make sure the beam has been done properly - a lot of muppets cut and turn the beam without really knowing how or why they are doing it.
Thanks to everyone who replied. That was really useful and inspired some heavy duty searching. Came across this which seems to square pretty well with what's been said on this thread: http://www.aidan.co.uk/articles/TrspCamperTips.pdf
Slow indeedy although quite easy to bring up to sensible speeds with a different engine. You can still stay air cooled flat four and be well the other side of 100BHP, sort your brakes and running gear to match and you have yourself probably the coolest vehicle on the road, period. And a remortgage...
Check out www.thesamba.com, its full of classifieds and also some great help can be taken from the forums.
If you can afford to put in some effort and time i would buy from a dry state in the U.S, that way you can avoid any rot and bag yourself a completely original bus and also save yourself a fair few quid even after factoring in the shipping and registration cost.
If you take a look at the classifieds on the above site you will soon see that split prices in the UK have gone completely mental! You will also find that a percentage of classifieds are nothing more than a quick import from the states with fresh MOT whacked on so why not do that yourself to cut out the middle man.
If the import thing seems alot of effort there are VW specialists who will do the job for you, for instance if you give these guys a shout and tell them what you want they will find it for you and also deal with any mech,elec,rot probelms for you
www.thebusstation.co.uk.
One last thing its probably well worth buying volksworld (camper van edition) it comes out once a month.
Good luck.
If you can afford to put in some effort and time i would buy from a dry state in the U.S, that way you can avoid any rot and bag yourself a completely original bus and also save yourself a fair few quid even after factoring in the shipping and registration cost.
If you take a look at the classifieds on the above site you will soon see that split prices in the UK have gone completely mental! You will also find that a percentage of classifieds are nothing more than a quick import from the states with fresh MOT whacked on so why not do that yourself to cut out the middle man.
If the import thing seems alot of effort there are VW specialists who will do the job for you, for instance if you give these guys a shout and tell them what you want they will find it for you and also deal with any mech,elec,rot probelms for you
www.thebusstation.co.uk.
One last thing its probably well worth buying volksworld (camper van edition) it comes out once a month.
Good luck.
You will get all your questions answered and then some here: http://www.ssvc.ukshells.co.uk/phpbb/
BTW - Electrics are the least of your worries, if a bus has a well maintained 6 Volt system it will not be an issue and the looms are very simple indeed.
Rot in the chasis rails and out riggers and filled and badly bodged body work are the key to look for.
If you can pick up a bus that has been unrestored and so "what you see is what you get," or at least one that has a well photographed restoration you will be half way there.
Check out the SSVC site though as above. They are a good bunch of people and have a very busy For Sale section where you may find what you are looking for.
Cheers
Andy
BTW - Electrics are the least of your worries, if a bus has a well maintained 6 Volt system it will not be an issue and the looms are very simple indeed.
Rot in the chasis rails and out riggers and filled and badly bodged body work are the key to look for.
If you can pick up a bus that has been unrestored and so "what you see is what you get," or at least one that has a well photographed restoration you will be half way there.
Check out the SSVC site though as above. They are a good bunch of people and have a very busy For Sale section where you may find what you are looking for.
Cheers
Andy
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff