1975 T2 bay window Volkswagen camper van barn find

This auction is for an original RHD 1975 VW campervan - the proverbial 'barn find'. It has a 1600cc petrol engine with a manual gearbox and has been dry stored for the last 10 years. I bought this recently with the intention of restoring it with/for my son. However. I hadn't realised just how enormous these things are and I don't have enough space to work on it easily so I'm going to pass it along for somebody else to do. It's a good base for a restoration but it's not a weekend job by any stroke of the imagination. so don't be under any illusions and things always look better in photos so if you're serious I'd strongly recommend you come and have a look at it. As far as I can tell (and I'm certainly no expert on VW camper vans as I've never owned one before) it's going to need both cab doors repairing along the bottoms and probably re-skinning. The engine cover has holes in the frame so I'd bank on replacing it. The chassis rails are rotten through at the back behind the engine mounts. The majority of the actual floors look pretty solid but they've gone on both sides around the front jacking points. Both sills want replacing I would think? The sliding door has rust at the bottom but I would think the frame could be saved and just replace the lower few inches of the outer skin. The horizontal panel behind the rear bumper has holes in it and the rear bumper itself also has one hole. The panel behind the front bumper has a hole in it and at some point the whole front panel (below the windscreen) has been replaced. The roof has had what looks like felt stuck on it. presumably to try and stop it leaking? I've peeled it back in a couple a locations and the actual roof underneath looks sound to me from what I can see of it. The offside rear wheel arch has a hole at the bottom of it where it joins the sill but the rest of the arches look pretty sound. The floors are not hanging out of it but it's going to need some serious TLC.
As far as the mechanicals are concerned I'd bank on replacing every bit of rubber on it. The engine did turn over but then just clicks (starter solenoid?). I was told by the previous owner that it was difficult to start and didn't idle properly - timing? The clock is currently showing 1035 miles so make of that what you will.
The interior and all the soft furnishing smell of mould. damp. dew and dead mouse - I've disposed of the dead mouse though. He'd made quite a nice nest in the sill but his rent was overdue and he had to go!
I have no doubt that this will make a nice van given the right amount of time and money but just remember it is nearly 40 years old!!!
I'm waiting on the V5 to come back from DVLA but when it does it will be in my name and I'm hoping it will arrive next week. I've tried to be as honest as I can but if you have any questions then please ask and I'll do my best to answer them. I have set what I consider to be a realistic reserve price given that the numberplate alone has been valued at £800 according to the previous owner. Please remember you are bidding to buy and as such I'd like a deposit of £100 as soon as the auction ends or I'll offer it to the next highest bidder. It will need to be trailered away as there is no tax or MOT but it does roll and it will need winching onto the trailer.

Forgot to mention that it has an awning which looks reasonably new which will come with it. The glass all looks okay and most of the electrics work but one headlamp isn't working. he washer bottle didn't seem to work and neither did the horn.

Please note the van is advertised elsewhere so it may end early.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?