Description
Acquired last year in need of significant recommissioning, our V-Class Camper was a labour of love and a project that was finally completed in Summer 2024. Benefitting from full-service history from new (virtually all Main Dealer or MB Specialist), the van comes with over £12, 000 of bills and receipts in just the past 10 years to include recent bodywork restoration and repainting, automatic gearbox overhaul and a major service. The subject of a detailed valet and fresh MoT, the Camper was subsequently sold in July to a long-standing customer in Nottingham who after just a few months has decided to part with it. These First-Generation V-Class or Vito Camper Van Conversions are much rarer and generally more desirable than their VW equivalents and in Pop-Top form offer sleeping accommodation for four arranged around a fully equipped kitchen with plenty of storage. Our van is rarer still utilising the later 2151cc common rail injection diesel and 5-speed Touchshift automatic transmission.
Launched in 1996, the V-Class was available as either a mid-sized van (the Vito) or large passenger carrying vehicle (the Viano) and came with various wheelbase options and a choice of engines and transmissions. Early diesel variants came with a non-turbo or turbocharged 2299cc but from late 1999 onwards, the OM 611 engine was introduced, the most powerful of which was the 2151cc producing 122BHP. A major facelift took place with the introduction of the Second Generation in 2004 and in many ways some of the original design character was lost. As such, late-model First Generation vans are now becoming quite sought-after and camper van conversions even more so.
Our V-Class was supplied new in February 2003 through Mercedes Benz of Ashford in Kent to a lady residing in Gillingham. For the next 2 years, the vehicle was maintained by either MB Ashford or MB Gillingham before being sold in late 2005 to another lady in Walton on Thames. Servicing subsequently moved to MB Walton on Thames or MB Brooklands and other than general maintenance, notable work over this period included a replacement alternator, tyres and a new battery. From paperwork and instruction manuals with the vehicle, it would seem likely that the conversion to a camper van was undertaken around this period. Annual servicing for the period 2008-2011 is documented with local Surrey-based specialists with the van being sold again in 2011 to a gentleman in Lowestoft on the Suffolk coast. He retained the vehicle for around 3 years and covered some 7, 000 miles employing the services of AutoTechnic, a MB Specialist in Chedgrave, Norfolk who saw the van no less than 5 times in this short period. Other than comprehensive servicing, work undertaken included a full brake overhaul, replacement gas struts for the pop-top roof, replacement of fuel pipes and CV joints and new SRS control unit. In the Summer of 2014, the vehicle was sold again to a lady in Dunmow, Essex who almost immediately put the van into a local specialist for a full service and check-over. Notable work done at this time included a new steering column as well as brake discs and pads. Around 18 months later, the van moved West to Oxfordshire and purchased by a young family keen to take their 2 small children on some adventures. Indeed, they retained the vehicle for the next 7 years covering around 14, 000 miles and like previous keepers, very much kept on top of maintenance. Initial servicing was entrusted to a local specialist in Witney who saw the van a number of times in 2016 to resolve a number of niggles as well as co-ordinate repainting of both front wings. In 2018, the family moved to Devon and the following 5 years saw the vehicle maintained by several local garages with work undertaken to include a new air-conditioning condenser, replacement gear selection sensor, partial exhaust system, new alternator, new battery, replacement of injector clamp and auxiliary belt. With children getting bigger, the reluctant decision was made in Spring 2023 to sell the van on albeit encouraged by the fact that the gearbox had developed a fault and the overall condition of general paintwork had become somewhat neglected. We acquired it but as it always the case, became distracted with other projects until the beginning of 2024. The vehicle was then booked in with Dunnings Automatics, a local but well-respected gearbox specialist who quickly diagnosed the issue - a faulty TCM control unit and selector switch. Both replaced, the van now drove as it should and was subsequently booked-in for minor bodywork and repainting. After a full service. MoT and detailed valet, the Camper was finally ready by mid-Summer and sold instantly to a long-standing customer in Nottingham. In the short time he has owned it, he has undertaken a few cosmetic upgrades including putting an appropriate cherished plate on the vehicle.
I hope the photographs tell the story. We essentially restored and repainted both sides of the van (the front was done around 8 years ago) and whilst the interior was subjected to a deep clean and most recently has been painted in Sky Blue. The internal fit-out includes a full range of storage units, refrigerator, gas hob and sink as well as a pull-out rock `n` roll double bed, plenty of lighting and a 12V power management system. The pop-top (itself a £3500 conversion cost) provides extra sleeping accommodation for smaller children or additional head-height when the van is closed-up and parked.
The vehicle comes with a comprehensive file of history with stamped-up Service Book (10 stamps) as well as many bills and receipts from 2005 to the present day, every MoT Certificate from 2010 onwards, a V-Class Owner`s Manual, appliance booklets and a current V5C. As stated, it benefits from a 12-month MoT from July 2024.
A superbly presented and well-appointed automatic camper van with space for all. Ready for the 2025 season.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
