A beautifully restored split screen camper by Haywoods Classic and Custom
Restored literally regardless of cost with every aspect of the camper attended to
Available today at a reserve significantly below the van and restoration costs
All parts used sourced from top UK suppliers
In todays market the cost of restoration to these standards would be around £100k
The Appeal
The first T2 commercial vehicle, based on Beetle mechanicals, was launched way back in 1950. Boasting a sophisticated and distinctive design for, essentially, a commercial vehicle the T2 featured twin front windscreens and the now signature V-shaped extrusion on the front panel. The T2 was available in various configuration of people carrying bus or panel van for true commercial applications.
This example is one of those you very occasionally see at shows that present in a possibly “better than new” condition and clearly have been a labour of love…..and money. This one is the product of an 8-year long labour of love and wants for absolutely nothing.
The History and Paperwork
This T2 left the factory in 1966, towards the end of series 1 T2 production
Not too much is known about the van’s early life
It is understood that it was imported to Portugal from Germany in the sixties
This life in a mild and temperate climate helped preserve the split screen
The current owner acquired the split screen around 10 years ago
Our owner commissioned a full restoration of the split screen
This was an 8-year project undertaken by VW split screen specialists
This was a bare metal and replaced metal project
A total cost of approximately £80,000 was incurred for this project
The camper was first registered in the UK in December 2019
Our owner represents the first UK owner of the split screen
Paperwork includes the V5 in the name of the owner
The camper is registered as a Historic Vehicle
As such it is considered MOT and VED exempt in the UK
Despite this the camper was last MOT’d in 2020 at an indicated 15,041 miles
Other paperwork includes a number of high value invoices
Spread sheet of labour expenditure and some of the parts
Seller open for viewings and inspections
The Interior
As you might expect the interior of the camper is finished to a sublime standard
Converted to a walk-through configuration with original bulkhead
Over £8,000 expended on the high-end interior fixtures and fittings
The rear cabin of this split screen camper is finished to a very high standard and nicely blends a modern aesthetic with a surprisingly period feel. The bespoke interior was conceived and supplied by Richard Booth designs of Derbyshire. Supplemental fittings, such as door and panel cards, were sourced from Ken’s Customs also of Derbyshire.
The rear cabin includes a tan trimmed rock and roll bed set which is arranged into vertical box pleats. A collapsible table is neatly incorporated into the frame of the rock and roll bed. When in an upright position the bed forms a full width bench seat and seatbelts are fitted to the outer two sitting positions.
An additional buddy seat is located to the offside of the walk-through bulkhead and is trimmed in the same tan material as the other seats. A kitchen unit with built under fridge is fitted at the other side of the walkthrough. Laminate floor is fitted to the rear cabin area.
The cab of the camper van is equally finely finished with the twin seats finished in matching, tan coloured material. The door cards are neatly trimmed and finished with chromed door furniture. The inner nose section is also trimmed in fitted, tan trimmed panels. The dashboard is finished in body coloured painted steel. A three spoke alloy steering wheel is fitted which is finished with a varnished wooden rim. A Gene Burg alloy shifter handle is fitted.
Photographs from the restoration process will show that extensive sound and heat insulating material has been used to maximise the comfort of the cabin. A new, light-coloured headlining has been fitted and is, hence, immaculate.
The Exterior
The camper van looks breath-taking in its charming two-tone livery
Bright chrome trim pieces form a deep V on the nose and run down the flanks
The camper sits on deeply chromed Fuchs Porsche replica wheels
The restoration photographic record shows the camper was taken back to bare metal during the process. Additionally, new metal was added where required resulting in a very solid and robust shell with matchless structural integrity.
The camper has been exquisitely sprayed in an eye-catching and period-faithful Cumulus and Mouse Grey livery. The Cumulus finishes the panels above the camper’s chromed waistline and picks out the familiar V on the nose. The Mouse Grey shade finishes the lower panels of the camper. It all looks amazing.
The chromed brightwork is deeply lustrous and adorns the nose in the shape of the big VW roundel, light surrounds, “v” shaped trim and bumper rubbing strips. The flanks of the camper exhibits chromed window surrounds and waistline trim pieces. At the rear a recessed stainless steel tail pipe is in evidence. Safari windows are fitted together with new pop-outs all round. Creative Engineering polished door tops are also fitted bringing the specification to the highest level.
The camper sits on 15-inch SSP Fuchs Porsche replica wheels from Machine 7. These are deeply chromed items with Porsche centre caps. These are shod with a new set of Pirelli Cinturato tyres. These charmingly round off the overall look of the camper which is sure to be one of the best you have seen.
The Mechanics
This camper is fitted with the 1,641cc, twin-carb, air-cooled boxer engine
Porsche 944 brakes and brake servo are fitted
Numerous suspension upgrades and enhancements have been undertaken
In keeping with the rest of the camper, the mechanicals have been extensively modified, enhanced and improved. The 1,641cc boxer engine runs sweetly but also looks amazing with all tinware having been recoated. A new wiring look has been fitted. The brakes consist of Porsche pattern discs at the front and Porsche pattern drums at the rear. These are supported by a brake servo to transform braking performance from the original specification.
The suspension set up is similarly transformed and fettled. An IRS conversion has been undertaken and a Weed Eater beam has been fitted together with dropped spindles. Literally no mechanical aspect of this incredible camper has been neglected.
Summary
Much like its Beetle relative, the first series of T2 soon became much loved, admired and, latterly, desired. Such that it probably has more nicknames than any other commercially based vehicle. These include Bus, Barndoor, Kombi, Bullie, Microbus, Splitscreen, and Splitty to name a few.
This Splitty camper is a fantastic example, too. It is the product of an 8-year labour of love costing approximately £80,000 and utilising the considerable skills of spilt screen specialists Haywoods Classic and Custom. Only leading UK suppliers have been used to source parts from. These include luminaries like Alan Schofields, Creative Engineering, VW Heritage, Autocraft Panels, Custom and Commercial and the like. The results speak for themselves with this representing surely the best split screen camper available today.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
