Description
We’re pleased to present this stunning example of a German-built 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Split Screen with a Canterbury Pitt conversion, having had only one owner from new.
It is incredibly rare to come across a one owner vehicle of this age, but what makes this even more remarkable is that it comes with an abundance of historic records. This includes the original green paper registration logbook, and the original sale invoice from 1968, showing that it was purchased for £390 with the part exchange of a 1961 Ford Zodiac - how times have changed!
Confirmed by the vehicle’s M-Codes, including code 543 (“Without seats in passenger area”), this Split Screen was originally specified as an empty Microbus, making it the perfect foundation for a camper conversion. Canterbury Pitt later installed their conversion to this very vehicle. This Split Screen was held pre-registered by a Volkswagen dealership between 1964 and 1968. It was then assigned to its first private owner in 1968, maintaining its status as a one owner from new vehicle to this day. During its single private ownership, servicing and MOT documentation dating back to 1968 has been meticulously preserved.
British resident Peter Pitt, designed camper interiors under the name of ‘Pitt-Moto Caravan Company’, combined forces with ‘Essex’s Canterbury Sidecars’ in 1961, where they formed Canterbury Pitt. The newly formed company began creating flexible modular designs for camper vans using British oak back in 1961.
The layout featured in the Split Screen we have for sale features opposing two seater benches with a table to create a dinette seating arrangement. The table that stands in the middle of the two bench seats and doubles up as a free standing outside table. Its also used to bridge the gap between the opposing benches, and utilising the backrest cushions to create a 3/ 4 bed.
Fixed to the inside of the cargo door is the original Canterbury Pitt cabinet which houses a small storage cupboard and a foldout gas grill and twin hob cooker. In keeping with the period furniture, the current owners made an additional cabinet for extra storage and worktop space, which can be removed easily. In the bottom compartment is the integrated sink, which is in its original position.
The interior provides ample storage compartments beneath the two benches, as well as racked shelves incorporated into the rear, accessible through the tailgate.
The original pop-top opens vertically, offering plenty of standing space for people up to 7 feet tall. Within the pop-top aperture, there are two original 1. 9m-long rollout bunk beds designed for children.
The cockpit remains untouched and still features its original clocks and Blaupunkt radio with medium and long wavebands. The spare wheel is situated behind the front double bench. All seats, including both rear benches are equipped with lap belts.
The overall condition of the interior is representative of its age. There are marks present throughout, but all furnishings are in great condition, with no tears on the seats, with the exception of a tear in the headlining. The pop-top canopy remains in excellent condition.
Mechanically, the vehicle remains unmodified and still retains its original single-port 1, 192cc engine, confirmed by matching engine numbers on the original registration logbook. The last major work performed on this vehicle was a refurbishment of the drum brakes in 2023 at 72, 351 miles. Prior to sale, we will carry out a complimentary service in our workshop.
This Split Screen originally left the factory in L471 Beige Grey over L53 Sealing Wax Red. In 1973, it underwent a respray in Beige Grey over Dark Green. In 2011, it was reverted back to its original colours. All evidence supporting the body resprays are present in its extensive documentation portfolio. Overall, the body is in fair condition, showing some minor surface corrosion, paint blemishes, and small repairs. The chassis is what we consider to be solid, with flakey underseal that requires renewing.
Located at Absolute VW Ltd, Shardlow, Derbyshire, UK (DE72 2GP) available for ramp inspections and test drive with one of the team. For further inquiries or to discuss details in depth, please do not hesitate to contact us at the details below.
