PRICE £SOLD
YEAR 2004
ENGINE 1584cc/4-cyl/HO/Digifant fuel injection
POWER 58bhp@4200rpm
MAXIMUM SPEED Approx 70mph  
0-60MPH Approx 45sec
GEARBOX RWD, four-speed manual
MILEAGE 108,180km (67,220 miles)
MOT 12 months from sale
CHASSIS NUMBER PBWGB07X64P000938
COLOUR Two-tone green/white
INTERIOR Green/red tartan leather/cloth
WIDTH 1720mm
LENGTH 4505mm
HEIGHT 2003mm 

A nicely restored and smartly modified example of an upgraded late air-cooled VW camper from Brazil - with a surprising amount of tech

BACKGROUND
The history of the long-lived second generation Volkswagen Transporter is a convoluted but fascinating one. The model, with its distinctive ‘Bay Window’ front screen, was launched in 1967 to replace the first generation ‘Split Screen’ VW van that had been around since 1949. It retained the same basic principles of its predecessor, with the driver right at the front over the front axle, and the air-cooled flat-four engine mounted at the rear. But the T2, as it was known, was slightly larger, had more powerful engines, and brought the styling more up-to-date.  

Early variants up until 1971 were known as T2as, after which there were some minor styling tweaks - such as the indicators moving up from just above the bumpers to either side of the grille under the windscreen - plus the introduction of front disc brakes. The facelifted Transporter was dubbed the T2b. In 1972, the rear end was redesigned to accommodate bigger engines - up to two litres - which also brought about chunkier tail-lamps too. After 1974, there were very few cosmetic changes but, this being Volkswagen, constant mechanical updates were made.

Production ended in 1979, at least in Europe, with the launch of the T3 Transporter. However, in Latin America, where Volkswagen had an especially strong presence and where the budget simplicity of its air-cooled vehicles was particularly appreciated by the masses, manufacture of the T2 carried on, in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Although the model only continued until 1986 in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil continued well beyond this date. Mexico put together the T2 through to 1994, but Brazil only dropped the second generation Transporter in 2013. By then, 46 years after its birth, it had undergone a few more changes. In 1995, the roof was raised by 10 inches, to create the T2c variant, while in 2005, the venerable old air-cooled engine at the rear was swapped for a water-cooled unit. 

Meanwhile, back in Europe, the air-cooled Volkswagen movement had really taken off. And while most enthusiasts snapped up and restored older Transporters that had originally been built and sold in Europe, others looked to the Mexico and Brazil for their fix instead. What could be better than a completely new VW Transporter but in the shell of the much-loved, traditional T2? And so, limited numbers of the van designed and once built in Germany but now only available far, far away over the Atlantic began to be exported back to Europe, mainly for conversion into family camper vans, a format the T2 particularly excelled at.  

THE VEHICLE 
From what we can ascertain from the paperwork accompanying this Volkswagen T2c, it was constructed as a Volkswagen Kombi in Brazil during 2004, just a year before the switch from air-cooled to water-cooled engines. It then travelled all the way from São Bernardo do Campo to South Gloucestershire, and the premises of Beetles (UK) Limited and its Danbury camper conversion arm. Danbury began turning VW Transporters into mobile homes on wheels in 1964, and by 1968 had been given official VW recognition. Although the original company ceased trading in the late 1980s, the rights to the name were acquired by Beetles (UK) in 2002, and the new-born Danbury started bringing new Brazilian T2c buses to Britain for transform into camper vans. This one, registered in October of 2004, featured the options of two-tone white over pale green paint, non-standard cloth, immobiliser, underseal, auxiliary battery, elevating roof and vent, CD radio and four speakers, winter pack (including petrol heater), front-mounted solid spare wheel cover, chrome trim pack, bike rack, awning, roof rack and mains hook-up.  

This particular Danbury Caravanette received further modifications throughout the years, until it reached the form it is today, with Suede Green leather and tartan upholstery, full leather door cards, Porsche-style Fuchs alloy wheels, full walnut and tulip wood floor and table, new cooker and sink unit, and a flat-screen Alpine media system in the centre of the dash. The van seems to have been completely repainted quite recently, while a £2750 bill in the paperwork indicates a reconditioned 1.6-litre Brazilian exchange engine was fitted in October 2016. The odometer currently shows 108,180km (67,220 miles). Inside the history file is some service history and the owner’s manual.             

BODYWORK
Thanks to its recent revamp, the duo-tone paintwork is still very fresh and, in the case of the pale green lower section, extremely vibrant. The flamboyant livery suits the T2c’s lines well; after all, the second generation Transporters were very much 1970s’ machines and so, in period, were often finished in very florid hues and colour combinations. This one, frankly, looks superb.       

The brightwork is also very good throughout, save for some very minor tarnishing in areas on the nose-mounted spare wheel carrier - very much a trademark T2 fitment, but useful as well - which is really only noticeable up close. There’s no damage to the extending glassfibre Danbury roof.

Porsche pattern Fuchs five-spoke alloy wheels have been a popular fitment on modified air-cooled Volkswagens for as long as there have been, well, Porsche Fuchs wheels and customised VWs. On this, the inner segments are colour-coded to the main body shade, while the alloy blades are well-polished and the centre caps have Porsche branding. They’re all in fine order and shod in Bridgestone Duravis R660 195/70 R15 tyres which, dating from 2018, have plenty of tread and life left.

INTERIOR
This is where it gets particularly special. A great deal of care and attention has obviously gone into making the cab and living areas of this camper van stylish and distinctive. The seats are pale green leather with red and darker green tartan inserts. The Bay City Rollers would love this as a tour bus! Up front, you’ll find an EMPI ‘trigger’ gearshift, Webasto Air Top 20005 petrol heater and the Alpine media system - effectively a tablet-style flat screen mounted to the dash which is activated by a small switch on the side of the steering column. One of the blank gauge apertures behind the steering wheel has a microphone in its centre, presumably part of the hands-free phone connection to the Alpine system. The standard steering wheel - which would have been quite a cheap-looking black plastic thing - has been replaced by an MJC drilled alloy item with Bertie Bassett - remember him, from Bassett’s Liquorice Allsorts? - centre cap. Which gives you every reason to call this van Bertie if you buy it.

Behind the cab, there’s a lot of lovely polished wood; a combination of walnut and tulip wood, along with a tartan main bench seat that converts into a rock ‘n’ roll bed. The floor is obviously quite new, as it has very few signs of any scuffing or scratching from shoes or any other objects. The two-burner stove with sink alongside look barely used and are housed in a dark green cupboard unit. There are four three-pin plug electrical outlets. You could easily just head off to the West Country - or on a tour of regional music venues if you’re a Bay City Roller - in this tomorrow.  

Everything is very clean and tidy, and seems to be functioning as it should - although we’ll admit to not having tried the stove as we didn’t have any food in. But the Alpine media unit functions as it should, with a wide range of in-camper entertainment options and four Pioneer speakers installed. The dials and  warning lights all function as they should.

ENGINE AND RUNNING GEAR
The fuel-injected, air-cooled engine bay isn’t as clean as everything else on this van, but it is a working environment after all. The oil looks clean - which is vital, as it plays a role in cooling on a Volkswagen engine like this - and there’s evidence of recent attention in the form of what looks like a new distributor cap.  

The engine starts easily and runs well. There isn’t a surfeit of power with this era of Volkswagen Transporters, and in 1.6-litre form, around 70mph is a comfortable top speed. But part of the  whole old school VW lifestyle is about playing it cool by kicking back and taking things a bit more slowly. And if you really want a quick rear-engined, air-cooled German vehicle, then that’s why Porsches were invented. Besides, once you do get up to a good cruising speed, a classic VW will, famously, be happy to stay there all day, such is the reliability and inherent toughness of these engines. On a T2 camper, the journey is all part of the adventure.     

SUMMARY
This is a very smart, eye-catching and individualistic VW camper van that benefits from a lot of practicality and modern features. With a reconditioned engine six years ago, and more recent interior and cosmetic work, including a repaint, it’s in excellent order throughout and ideal for shows - where its attractive cabin and living area will prompt lots of enthusiast interest - or just getting away from it all. With summer finally here, this is the ideal kind of classic in which to truly enjoy it.   

While Greenside Cars Ltd has tried to ensure information and assessments are accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from it. We highly recommend that you examine any vehicle to check the reliability of the information supplied. Please contact us for further details, images, or to arrange a viewing of this 2004 Volkswagen Type 2 T2c Danbury Caravanette.

PRICE

£ sold

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YEAR

2004

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ENGINE

1584cc flat-four

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MILEAGE

108,180

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COLOUR

TWO-TONE GREEN/WHITE

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To enquire about this vehicle or request a viewing, please contact us via phone or email.