Description
For Sale: 1982 VW T25 High-Top Campervan – £10, 000
This 1982 VW T25 High-Top Campervan has a quiet confidence about it. Originally built for the open road, it’s since been given new life with a 2. 0L naturally aspirated Subaru Forester engine. The conversion was carried out by the VW Coast T25 specialists in Devon, who also oversaw the interior restoration.
Inside, the VanWurks conversion is both practical and inviting. There’s a two-burner Smev/ Dometic hob, a fitted sink with integrated chopping board, and a Waeco fridge freezer. The space is fully insulated and re-lined for year-round comfort. LED lighting is installed throughout, powered by a leisure battery and 240v hook-up, with 13a sockets and USB points in both the front and rear. The battery charger and powered tap need minor attention, but the system is otherwise well set up for time off-grid.
Ventilation is well designed, with sliding windows in the high top and rear, along with a roof vent that makes a real difference on warmer days. A Fiamma bike rack is fitted at the rear. The cab features leather front seats with armrests, offering comfort on long drives and a clean, finished look. A Kenwood head unit with AUX output provides hands-free phone and audio connectivity, powering Pioneer speakers front and back.
Heating is handled by a Propex gas unit integrated into the PMS 3H Power Management System. There’s ample storage, a fitted water tank, curtains throughout, and thermal blinds for added insulation and privacy. The Fiamma 45s awning is included, although not currently fitted due to a rusty gulley that will need repair.
The van is not running at present due to a gearbox issue. Replacement units are readily available and straightforward to fit. There is also some typical age-related rust, though nothing unexpected for a van of this era. The asking price reflects both the mechanical and cosmetic work needed.
When last in regular use, the camper carried an agreed insurance value of £25, 000. Now over 40 years old, it qualifies for historic vehicle status and is exempt from road tax and MOT.
This isn’t a showpiece or a project in boxes. It’s a well-built, solidly upgraded T25 with real potential. Honest, full of character, and waiting for someone to bring it back to life and put it to good use. What sets this camper apart is the life it's lived. I bought her because I wanted something full of character, built to last, and with the bones to become a reliable everyday vehicle — and she became exactly that. The Subaru conversion gave her a new lease of life and turned a classic into a dependable daily runner, with the added joy of driving something that turned heads and started conversations wherever we went.
What I’ve loved most is how she made even the smallest journey feel like an adventure. With my wife and two children, we drove her through France to Asturias in northern Spain — a holiday of a lifetime. We've explored Belgium and Holland, and used her as a day bus on the South Coast at West Wittering or camping along Dorset’s Jurassic coast. Rain or shine, the kids were always happy. She’s been part of countless family memories, always there, always up for it.
The arrival of our third child changed things. Sleeping arrangements became trickier, and when the gearbox needed replacing, we had to admit it was time to let her go. Life’s moved on, but the camper remains woven into the early memories of all three of our children. She’s unique — not just because of the conversion or the craftsmanship, but because she’s been loved, used well, and never let us down when it really mattered.
