Description
Here we have a stunning Early Bay Devon Moonraker. We're very fortunate to be asked to sell some of the best quality air-cooled VW's and Porsche's in the country and this Early Bay is a lovely example. First registered on 22nd October 1971, having been sold to the original owner Mr John A. Eades by Colindale Service Station Ltd of London. The original receipt begins with the fantastic history file that accompanies this wonderful camper, it cost just £1434. 00 and the garage gave Mr Eades £434. 00 part exchange for his 1966 Volkswagen Beetle 1300. Also within the history file are the original handbooks, service book, birth certificate, many receipts for servicing, etc over the years and would you believe every single mot it ever had.
After 21 years Mr Eades decided to sell his much-loved camper to Mr Robert Perry in July 1992, becoming only the 2nd owner. Enjoying their new camper for the next 9 years, when the time to sell to the next lucky custodian became around. So in May 2001 Simon Barber purchased this totally original Devon Moonraker, with just 58, 000 genuine miles on the clock. Although the interior at this stage was looking a little tired and grubby it was all there and complete. The bodywork was in very good shape, still wearing its original Neptune blue L50K paint and unbelievably had never been welded. Simon and his wife Sam loved the bus for holidays, but whilst travelling home from North Wales the engine made a horrible noise and ground to a halt. Knowing what a gem Simon had, he insisted on having the original engine reconditioned to retain matching numbers, so employed one of the best in the business 'Laurie Pettit', to do the work. Just a week after the engine was back Simon and Sam enjoyed 3 weeks and 1800 miles travelling through France and the bus didn't miss a beat.
In 2009 Simon decided the time was right to splash some attention to the now 38 year old body, so carefully removed the interior, windows, engine, doors etc and sent it off to be fully restored, again the invoices for this and all the parts purchased are in the file. The bus was finished to 'as new' condition , including the interior cabinets, adding a new timber headlining and side panels to match the cabinets. The cushions were replaced with the original style, black vinyl on one side and blue fabric on the other, together with new curtains, which were entrusted, again to one of the most respected names in the scene, 'J and S Upholstery'. Simon decided to lower the front end just slightly to give a more level stance and added rear hatch jail bars, a leisure battery and split charger relay and a 12v outlet hidden under the dash to plug a phone into. It was the attention to detail throughout this beautiful restoration that caught the eye of the judges at Camper Jam that year and it was awarded the Robert Johnson Early Bay Award, so a real honour. Later that year it was also magazine featured, which again a copy of this is with the bus.
Finally after over 12 years of enjoyment, the bus was sold to the next owners, in 2014, who again have loved and appreciated it. Keeping warm and dry in their garage when not in use. We actually sold this beauty 3 years ago to its current owner, who has completed almost 6, 000 miles this year alone, doing the NW500 & has just returned from a European trip over a few weeks, covering France, Portugal & Spain.
Still looking absolutely beautiful , with only the tiniest blemish, which goes almost unnoticed, the camper has still only covered c109k fully documented miles. A truly rare opportunity to buy such a well-cared-for, very usable original UK bus with such an amazing history file.
Its on the market for £25, 000. We're based in North Devon, close to the fantastic golden beaches of Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe, the perfect place to start your new adventures. Alternatively, we are happy to help with national delivery should you fancy a no-stress shipment directly to your door. :)
