The people’s camper criss-crossing the ocean
First released in 1950, the Volkswagen Transporter has been one of the most widely produced vehicles of all time, with seven generations to its name and the nameplate still in production to this day. The original T2 was conceptualized by a Dutch-authorized dealer of Volkswagen products on one of his trips back to Germany to restock inventory, where he noticed VW Beetles that had been converted into makeshift light commercial vehicles using aftermarket parts. Realizing there was a need going unmet, he quickly sketched his concept for a larger yet still distinctly Volkswagen-styled van to pitch to VW executives, and the rest is history.
This particular example of VW’s ubiquitous van is believed to have been sold for export in British Columbia, Canada, before being returned to Germany to be converted into a pop-up camper by Hanover Manufacturing, and then returned to North America and sold again in 2013. A refurbishment effort was undertaken some time before the current owner’s purchase in 2021, from the same auction site it is available on today!
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A little on the nose
The body has been finished in a soothing Orient Blue, and the paint job seems to be in fairly good condition. Both bumpers have been finished in white, matching the Hanover pop-up tent on the roof as well as the jalousie-style slats over the side windows. There is a bit of silver accenting in the form of squared side mirrors, door handles, trunk, and engine compartment lock on the back, as well as the framing mounts of the round headlights. A small receiver hitch and a bike rack are also installed out back.
All four wheels, as well as the full-sized spare mounted prominently on the front, are 14″ steelies with a black finish capped with chrome Volkswagen-branded hubcaps and shod in Thunderer Ranger R101 tires. The rear tires even feature a slight fender skirting for extra style points.
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A Volkswagen in sheep’s clothing
The front cabin’s most prominent and eye-catching feature is the pair of bucket seats sporting bright white sheepskin-style clovers that are plush and soft. The dash and flooring are black, while the door panels are done in tan. The air conditioning works, but the owner states that the heater is non-functional except when in the defrost setting. Windows are crank-operated, and there is an Aiwa-branded stereo with a built-in CD player in the center. The tri-spoke steering wheel is done in black, with polished wood around the rim, held in place by golden rivets. Behind it, a VDO gauge cluster features a 0-90 mph speedometer, a fuel gauge, and several warning lights. An aftermarket tachometer that redlines at 8,000 rpm is mounted under the center of the dash as well.
In the rear cabin, blue vinyl covers two benches facing one another, with a folding table between them, all of which can be converted into a sleeping area. Privacy curtains on all windows give a lovely, homely atmosphere, augmented by the Hanover pop-up tent with skylights for natural light. A three-burner gas stove, as well as a refrigerator and storage compartments, make for a decent kitchenette, especially for the era in which it was designed and built. The owner does indicate that the sink’s water pump is currently non-operational.
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Power to the people(‘s van)
The current engine is a replacement, rear-mounted 2.0L (122ci) flat-four, which the VW T2 is iconic for holding onto and relying on even as other manufacturers moved to more conventional front-mounted designs. All of that power is pushed to the rear wheels by way of a four-speed manual transaxle, which combines the transmission, differential, and rear axles into one assembly.
A single downdraft carburetor feeds the engine and is kept well-oiled by an auxiliary oil cooler. Braking is handled by drums in the rear and discs up front. The odometer reads 35,000 miles, with about 3,000 or so added under current ownership, but the true mileage is unknown. The owner reports that the heater has been disconnected, and the sale includes various spare parts.
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Final thoughts: Classic camping experience that’s ready to go
The T2 Van has had many names over its long history, depending on regional and era preferences: the Transporter, Combi/Kombi, Microbus, Bulli, The Bread Loaf, Hippie Van, Westy, and so many more. It came to define an entire generational epoch of music, youthful rebellion, and a thirst for adventure. This second-generation T2 carries on that torch, barely showing its age thanks to thoughtful care and a bit of refurbishment as needed. That tradition is now on offer at auction for a new owner who will write the next chapter. Maybe that person will be you?
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