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1978 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia

Highlights

  • Four-berth camper  
  • Original Westfalia conversion 
  • Rear seat belts 
  • US dry state import 

The Appeal

The VW Type 2 is one of the most recognisable vehicles of all-time, loved and adored all over the world and at its most popular with beds included.  

This one is a late bay window Type 2, which was as refined as they got thanks to a punchy 2.0-litre engine and a revised cabin. It’s a factory-approved four-berth Westfalia conversion, which began its life in California and was imported to the UK by its first registered keeper over here in 2008. At the time it had been repainted bright orange. 

The vendors bought the van in 2013 from Type 2 Detectives in Burwell, Cambridgeshire, who are among the UK’s best-known Type 2 specialists and restorers. They elected to have it repainted in its original cream and white livery as it left the factory, and had the van retrimmed at the same time to suit their needs. 

There then followed a decade of making memories, with family holidays in Scotland, Cornwall and all over the UK, with the van being stored in dry storage over the winter. But with the children who holidayed in the van now away at university and the likelihood of four-aboard family holidays looking less and less likely, the family have decided it’s time for the Westfalia to find a new loving home.  

It's a tidy and solid van – basic inside with no sink or fridge, but that does mean a lot of extra space for sleeping comfortably when there are four of you. It’s ideal for using on serviced campsites or as a day van down at the beach, which is its natural environment. 

The market for VW Type 2 campers is as lively as ever, perhaps even more than ever given the current trend towards staycations and the boom in camping holidays.  

This one is a great example – not perfect and in need of some minor cosmetic titivation, but solid where it matters and in great running order.



The History and Paperwork

  • 1978 van imported from California in 2008 
  • Genuine Westfalia 
  • UK V5C 
  • MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt 
  • Original 2.0-litre engine 
  • Selection of bills and invoices from current ownership showing lots of care and attention and annual maintenance at Type 2 Detectives 
  • All previous UK MOTs 
  • Parts and repair invoices from previous ownership including form the USA 
  • Copy of US Certificate of Title 
  • Original California licence plate 
  • Two sets of keys 



The Condition

  • Smart overall looking van repainted in original colours 
  • Some minor areas of bodywork now have rust coming through, notably on the door bottoms and some minor bubbling on the body seams 
  • Various small scuffs and marks around the body commensurate with the van being used as a family holiday wagon 
  • Original steel wheels with recent new Davanti tyres 
  • Looks superb underneath with no signs of any welding required in the future 
  • Cab steps and corners in good, solid condition 
  • Pop-up roof 
  • Four-berth 
  • 12v leisure battery but not currently connected 
  • UK-compatible mains hook-up  
  • Rock-and-roll bed with upper pop-up roof bed (ideal for children) – retrimmed in brown leatherette 
  • Revolving front passenger seat to face into the van when parked 
  • Front seats also retrimmed in brown leatherette 
  • Modern Blaupunkt Bluetooth stereo  
  • Two three-point rear seat belts  
  • Very clean and well-presented 



The Mechanics

  • Original 2000cc air-cooled engine  
  • Well maintained by current owners with annual servicing by Type 2 Detectives 
  • According to the vendor the van drives very well indeed with no known faults or problems 



BEFORE YOU BUY 
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This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1978
  • Make Volkswagen
  • Model Type 2
  • Colour Multicolour
  • Odometer 90,540 Miles
  • Engine size 2000
Listing Details
  • Seller type Private
  • Town Cambridge
  • Location Cambridgeshire
  • Country United Kingdom

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