We spent £14,000 doing up our Volkswagen Campervan

Telegraph

31-03-2025

A symbol of freedom and adventure, the iconic Volkswagen Campervan is celebrating its 75th birthday. Launched at the Geneva motor show in 1949, the van – originally marketed as the Transporter, a commercial utility vehicle – went into production the following year.
During the 1960s, it became the must-have vehicle for the hippy generation and, subsequently, attracted families who were regularly spotted pitching up at campsites during the 70s and 80s.
The original concept was the brainchild of Ben Pon, a Dutch car dealer, the first person outside Germany to sell the company's vehicles. While visiting VW's Wolfsburg factory in 1947, he suggested producing a utility van after spotting motorised trolleys moving parts around the factory floor.
Following the pre-war Type 1 passenger car, better known as the Beetle, over the years several versions were manufactured – including the larger and heavier T3 – but it's the Type 2 (usually abbreviated T2) which is most recognised. T2s rolled off the production line for almost two decades, during which time advancements included the original (and now highly sought-after) split screen replaced with a bay window, new wheels and side steps to aid entry and egress.
But that wasn't the end of the story, since the T2 remained in production in Brazil until the final day of 2013.
Today, the classic VW Campervan retains its immense appeal and is adored by the many thousands owners around the world. We caught up with five devotees from the UK, who explain their affection for their homes on wheels.
Jai Virgo-Cozzi
Age: 46
Van: 1973 1600 T2 Westfalia
Purchased: 2024
'For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of owning a VW Campervan. There's something about their quirky charm, timeless design and promise of adventure which have drawn me in. But every time I got close to buying one, soaring prices put it out of reach.
'That desire grew stronger upon moving to Cornwall. Regularly, I'd drive past a stunning blue and white Westfalia, sitting proudly on a driveway. It looked beautifully original, as if it had been stuck in time.
'One day while scrolling through classified ads, I saw that exact camper for sale. Up close, it was just as charming but not perfect due to rust spots and mechanical issues. The owner refused to budge on price, so I walked away.
'A month later, he rang, willing to reduce the price. I took it on a test drive to a local VW specialist for a full appraisal. The verdict? It was a £14,000 camper at best, not the £21,000 asking price. The owner said he'd rather keep it than sell for less. Again, I walked away but two months later he phoned and accepted my offer.
'That first summer was magic. Nearly every weekend we took off, exploring hidden beaches, scenic campsites and stunning coastal roads. We woke up to the sound of waves, cooked breakfasts with the doors flung open and fell asleep under the stars. It was a feeling of total freedom, nostalgia and adventure rolled into one.
'There are many things I like about the Type 2 Westfalia, including the iconic shape, with its rounded edges and two-tone paint. It's lightweight, easy to work on and has air-cooled reliability – no complex cooling system to fail.
'Of course, there are some negatives, such as it's underpowered, costly to restore, rusts and has poor safety features, due to the thin metal body with no crumple zones. But, overall, it's a van which doesn't just get you from A to B, it invites you to slow down, take the scenic route and embrace the journey.'
Chris Mason
Age: 64
Van: 1970 1,600cc T2
Purchased: 2023
'The first vehicle I bought after passing my driving test in 1981 was a VW T2 Bay Window – same colour and year, so when this one was put up for sale locally, I had to get it.
'My first VW blew up on a motorway outside Barcelona in 1982. I managed to get it back to the UK and installed a new engine. As the years passed, I promised myself that I'd own another one day and now I do – I suppose I'm trying to relive my youth!
'She has been a reliable van although I had to fit a refurbished 1,600cc engine in April 2023. The previous one was in a poor state and the wrong type: a 1,300cc Beetle engine, which we verified from its factory engine stamps.
'We've completed many trips around North Yorkshire and last summer ventured to Snowdonia.
'I've always loved the T2 Bay Windows, partly due to the way they drive: all squishy and soft thanks to torsion bar suspension. Plus, I've fitted secondhand leather front seats from an MG TF which are much more comfortable.
'You have to 'drive' these vans, with 55mph being a comfortable cruising speed, but that soon drops off on hills. Being in the right gear in good time on hills is essential. There is no power steering and the brakes are nothing special, it's all about anticipation and using gears to slow the van as much as possible.
'We love staying a night or two off-grid rather than at official campsites. Tucked discretely away down a lane somewhere, preferably by a stream, is wonderful. Owning one of these vehicles is like harking back to simpler times.'
Rob & Carla Franks
Ages: 46 & 42
Van: 1976 1,600cc T2
Purchased: 2024
'Carla had her heart set on a VW Campervan so I arranged to see a 2019 van the day before her birthday. Unbeknown to me, the owner – who had promised to hold the vehicle – sold it. I was like a bear with a sore head!
'Then I discovered this 1976 model just 20 minutes down the road. Half an hour later, I'd snapped it up.
'On Carla's birthday, I surprised her by getting her in our car blindfolded and driving to the van; she was so shocked with her birthday present!
'Not only is the van yellow, our favourite colour, but it's automatic. As an above-knee amputee, that means I can drive it, too.
'We don't worry about things like low mpg and lack of power steering because we love everything about it.'
Brian Thompson
Age: 52
Van: 1962 1,600cc T2
Purchased: 2017
'My friend, who helped convert this van, is a VW mechanic and imported vehicles from a contact in Canada. He brought over this panel van which was in a terrible state.
'My wife, Vicky, and I had owned a campervan before but got fed up with the lack of floor space for getting dressed. So, when we bought this one for £3,000, we decided to convert a caravan and hitch it to the back of the VW.
'We spent £14,000 converting it but it's been worth it. When it came to painting the van, we kept the top half the original ivory and chose mango green for the lower half. We love it, and so did the judges at the Split Screen Van Club, who awarded it 2024 Van of the Year.'
Matt Earnshaw
Age: 43
Van: 1973 1,600cc T2
Purchased: 2020
'Wherever I drive my T2, people are always interested in talking about it. Every journey is an adventure, partly because I'm driving a vehicle over 50 years old.
'I'll never forget a faulty washer hose causing a short-circuit, which resulted in the horn beeping whenever the ignition was switched on. Once, it scared some old ladies just leaving church. Then there was the time we survived 50mph winds in Newquay last summer – we even had the awning erected. Luckily, the van held up and the awning stayed firm, a testament to its manufacturer.
'We've had the van for five years and have added opening quarterlights on the doors to add ventilation and cooling on hot days, replaced interior panels and carpets, plus we swapped tyres for whitewalled ones.
'I love the van's simplistic charm, the fact there aren't any electronic aids. And the basic engineering means that most things are fixable with a few spanners and couple of screwdrivers. Thankfully, obtaining parts is relatively straightforward, too.
'I get around 20mpg but, overall, there is nothing about the T2 I'd change. Among the major plus points is the VW Campervan community. Owners wave to each other as they pass and everyone is happy to help, if needed – that's one reason I set up the VW T2 Campervan page on Facebook.'