Volkswagen Camper Commercial 103 - 2016-05

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1972 HOLDSWORTH CONVERSION BROCHURE LINE
BAREFOOT CHEF
NEWS & PRODUCTS
DOCK OF THE BAY
May 2016 ISSUE 103 £3.95
BUSSING IN
1972 MOONRAKER 1966 KOMBI 1998 CUSTOM T4 1990 HOLDSWORTH SWITZERLAND
Beautifully restored inside Resplendent in baby Retro 1950s Diner Hendrix-inspired high top
to original Devon spec blue and pastel white meets Hard Rock Café ideal for kissing the sky
THE GUTHRIE WALK DUBFREEZE

The legend of Alice’s Cold but fun with
Restaurant lives on plenty of bargains
PLEASE MENTION VW CAMPER & COMMERCIAL MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS.
Welcome Email editor@volkswagencamper.co.uk
Address Editor, VW Camper & Commercial,
Jazz Publishing The Old School Higher Kinnerton Chester CH4 9AJ
The original and best VW bus magazine since 2000 www.volkswagencamper.co.uk
Centre Poster
T
he sun is shining as I Dave Warren
write this! The birds are Cover
singing, the lawn has Steve Maddison
been mowed, daffodils
are blooming, blossom is forming on Contributors:
Steve Leatham
the trees - summer feels just around
Richard Copping
the corner at last! Our welcome image
Rob Hawkins
this month was taken early Sunday Andy Morgan
morning at Dubfreeze, where 1000 Mike Clements
campers braved the freezing February Dave Warren
weather to camp over on Saturday— Steve Madison
hard-core stuff! The chap on the right Simon Cooke
Rick Davy
(let’s just call him Simon) looks like an
Mike Rutherford
advert for “wish you weren’t here!”
Grant Mitchell
Cold beers are great in summer, but on Stan Wohlfarth
a cold frosty February morning? Give
me a coffee in my comfy warm Cali any
day. (Wimp).
When I owned a Split there was Is it summer yet? Photo courtesy Bern Wombat.
always a story for this page about the
latest work I needed to do / just had the original stock theme, check out the those too young to remember those
done, or parts hunting, or a roadside 1963 Moortown Campahome—another starry eyed and laughing days you can
repair. When you own a modern very rare survivor in immaculate catch up with our feature about the
bus however you lose sight of how original condition, stored in a barn Guthrie Charity Walk, which retraces
things used to be… in an odd sort of for fifteen years and the winner of the route and revisits the infamous
way I do miss that—maybe I should Best in Show at Camper Jam last rubbish dump and jail, raising money
take off these rose tinted glasses? year. In contrast meet Bluebelle, a in the process for Huntingdon’s
However, the fun of planning ahead 1966 custom Kombi resplendent in Disease. Closer to home we check out
for the upcoming season still stirs gorgeous Baby Blue and White with a Dubfreeze, the traditional start to the
the blood—Stanford Hall, Vanwest, cosy curving L shaped lounge perfect show season.
Lavenham, Camper Jam, Split Bus for chilling. Finally we have another The sun is still shining outside; guess
Nation and that’s just up to July! Plus award winning bus—the T4 that won it’s time to stop work and get out and
we are forsaking foreign climes and a seafront award at Brighton Breeze do what I always sign off with:
having a back to basics holiday with the 2015. Only once before has a “modern”
California in Cornwall. Happy days… bus won at the Breeze in 18 years, so
You know the old saying about you can tell there must be something Drive your bus;
waiting for a bus for ages then along special about it! All I will say here is enjoy your bus
come two at once, well this issue we 50s American Diner meets Hard Rock
have not one but two Holdsworth Café! Check out that roof lining!
Campers featured. Not many of these Another old cliché is “if you
survive and we have a Bay and a T3 remember the sixties you weren’t
version, both still with their original there.” Rubbish. I can still vividly editor@volkswagencamper.co.uk
interiors! We also have a lovely Early remember watching the movie Alice’s
Bay mint Moonraker—arguably Restaurant, starring Arlo Guthrie and twitter.com/vwcampermag
Devon’s finest model, and sticking with a lovely sealing wax red Kombi. For facebook.com/volkswagencamper
Jazz Publishing Jazz Publishing The Old School Higher Kinnerton Chester CH4 9AJ. Tel:01244 881888 Fax:01244 646016 www.jazzpublishing.co.uk info@jazzpublishing.co.uk
EDITOR PRODUCTION MANAGER ADVERTISING SALES SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES

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ensure the accuracy of all material, the contributors, magazine and the publishers cannot accept liability for loss resulting from error, mis-statement, inaccuracy, or omission contained herein. Reproduction of any matter printed
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WELCOME
www.volkswagencamper.co.uk 5
Bebb Products
‘Engineered Safety Solutions for T5 Camper Conversions’
• Tested and Certified IN VEHICLE

Rock N Roll Seat/Bed/Kombi to 76/115/EEC/2005 M1 rating
• Tested/Passed - Quick Release
System with OE VW parts
• Tested/Passed - Hard Bolted
Version Available
• Tested/Passed ISOFIX points x 2
for Child Seat - 2012 VOSA
compliant new standard
• Tested/Passed in traditional
VW Kombi Position
All BEBB safety products supplied with Embossed Certification for Insurance/Inspectorate Purposes.
REMEMBER - DO NOT GAMBLE WITH YOUR LIVES BY CUTTING CORNERS ON YOUR CONVERSION.
USE BEBB TESTED PRODUCTS AND KNOW YOU HAVE DONE ALL YOU CAN TO PROTECT YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY FROM THE RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY FROM AN ACCIDENT IN YOUR T5 CONVERSION.
Swivel Seat Base/Safe System • Tested/passed - VW Genuine Seat and After Market Seat
• Safe built in for all your valuables eg Passports, IPAD,
Net Book
• Handbrake aperature for drivers side allows up to 8 clicks of
handbrake operation and seat is still abale to rotate
- FIRST ON THE MARKET TO DO THIS
ALL Bebb products are made/stocked in the UK within ISO quality system
Search “Salopvans”
www.bebb.co.uk | T: 01743 351400 | E: sales@bebb.co.uk | for all our videos

Contents
Issue 103— May 2016
20
Feature Buses
8 Bluebelle
Resplendent in stunning Baby Blue and a Pastel White,
this custom Kombi is now working as a wedding hire
vehicle as well as providing its owners with days out and
happy times …
38 20 Setting The Standard

This Devon Moonraker has been painstakingly restored 88
to how it looked when new back in 1972.
38 Hard Rock Retro Diner

When a T4 wins an award at The Brighton Breeze
(only the second time in 18 years) you know it has to be
something a bit special.
60 Purple Haze
As an avid Jimi Hendrix fan, and a lover of all things
60 purple, there was only one possible route for the new
owner of this Holdsworth T3 conversion to take.
44
78 White Rose Campahome
Few, if any, fifty-three year old Kombis are so well
preserved and original as this 1963 Moortown
Campahome, winner of Best in Show at Camper Jam
last year.
88 Amber Camper
Very few Holdsworth Bays have survived, this 1972
model with its original Layout 1 interior is just one of a
handful known.
78 72
CONTENTS
8 www.volkswagencamper.co.uk
Issue 10
4
on sale
May 25
34
66
Regulars 84 Brochure Line Also in this issue

Richard C uncovers some rare
16 News and Products pencil drawing prototypes by VW 34 The Guthrie Walk
Win a very cool clock or stylish brochure artist Robert Preis Arlo Guthrie and VW buses pay homage to the past and
shoulder bag! raise money for Huntington’s disease.
98 Dock of the Bay
18 Show News Fail to prepare; prepare to fail. 54 Three Alpine Passes and an
Upcoming shows and events calendar Alpine VW Festival
Grant Mitchell and family take a drive through stunning
26 The Bus Doctor mountain scenery and scary roads, ending up at Chateau
Your questions answered. d’Oex vintage VW show.
29 Camper Mail 66 DubFreeze

Tell us about what you and your bus Bargain hunting and cold camping
Subscribe
have been doing from only
70 The VW Camper Buyer’s Guide
30 How to Thinking of buying a camper or changing yours? The VW
Turn to page 32 for more information
Get the grease gun out and follow Camper Buyer’s Guide will help you decide.
our guide to the very simple but very
important job of lubricating your
steering and suspension
44 Behind the Scenes

Colourworx Accident Repair Centre
in Newquay
52 The Barefoot Chef

Dave might prefer to go all
‘sophisticated’ instead, but he’s not
fussed.
72 Camper Restoration
Andy gets out and about as well
as finding time to crack on in the
workshop 54
CONTENTS
1966 CUSTOM KOMBI
Bluebelle
Resplendent in stunning Baby Blue and a
Pastel White, this Kombi is now working as
a wedding hire vehicle as well as providing
its owners with days out and happy times…
WORDS: DAVID ECCLES PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVE WARREN
Retrosound
B
uilt on 2nd August 1966, It also had US spec bumpers with radio and MJC
this would have been over-riders fitted. The reasons for wood rim steering
wheel.
one of the first 1967 some of these options become clear
Model Year buses to when the export destination for the The new Baby
roll off the production line after the Kombi is revealed as Morocco! Blue and Pastel
White colour
factory’s summer break. As such it It was imported to the UK from scheme is a real
benefitted from the new standard Morocco in 2010 and the new owner head turning
combination.
12v electrics system (formerly an set about customising it, carrying
option) as well as minor styling out a serious lowering job which Champagne
and Vanilla
tweaks such as the press button included tubbing the front arches upholstery and
tailgate handle with fingergrip and and fitting a narrowed beam / drop panels makes for
an eye catching,
spring loaded fuel filler flap, which spindles as well as an IRS conversion
light and airy
now superseded the old church key using a 1303S Beetle gearbox. It was interior.
operation. Finished in Pearl White, then painted in what looked like
specified options included six pop grey primer, and the appropriate
out windows (M114), additional name ‘Low Life’ signwritten on the
rear view mirror (M156), yellow cab doors and sides. Other custom
headlight lenses (M124), larger touches included the fitting of Safari
oil bath filter (M156) and a low windscreens and replacing the 14”
compression engine with dished bus wheels with 15” solid wheels as
pistons for low octane fuel (M240). used on early Beetles. Also fitted was
1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

The reasons for options such as larger oil
bath filter and a low compression engine
become clear when the export destination
for the Kombi is revealed as Morocco
a standard 1600 twin port engine Both bumpers were also refurbished
with twin carb set up. and repainted white to match the
‘Low Life’ was sold on to a new upper body white. The roller painted
owner in 2012, who carried out basic interior however was left
what he termed “a nut and bolt untouched, ready for a new owner to
restoration” and repainted the bus put their own stamp on it.
in its stunning new Baby Blue / Enter Alan and Sandi Cummings.
Pastel White White colours. He Twenty years ago Alan had owned a
also refurbished or replaced all the rust bucket of a Bay before moving
chrome parts like the front badge on to a 64 Microbus. Regrettably
and wing mirrors, and headlight this had to be sold to fund a house
rims as well as swapping the painted purchase but Alan had never given
hubcaps for large VW logo chromed upon the hope of owning another
versions and changing the yellow Split one day. Having persuaded
headlight lenses for clear glass ones. wife Sandi of the soundness of the
1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI
“We could quite clearly see that it wasn’t Tubbed arches

and early Beetle
the nut and bolt restoration claimed, 15” solid wheels

whitewall tyres
but we thought that only some minor and large VW logo

chrome hubcaps
cosmetic work would be needed bring her

add to the custom
styling.
up to scratch” Standard 1600

twin port engine
with twin carb
idea they began going to shows and full camper, so the lack of interior set up.
Sandi began to warm to the thought, was a bonus!”
especially when she saw how lovely The first job was to raise the
some of the Splits looked nowadays. suspension back up by two inches,
When they saw this one for sale though it looked cool scraping the
they both immediately fell in love floor, the bumpy ride home after
with the colours and the stance, and buying it proved it really was not
though advertised as a “nut and bolt practical for what they wanted. An
resto” Alan says, “We could quite unfortunate accident with the garage
clearly see that wasn’t the case but door necessitated a repaint of the
we thought that only some minor roof, and they took advantage of that
cosmetic work would be needed to remove the roof mounted aerial.
bring her up to scratch. The idea Then they decided to deal with some
was to have a day van rather than a paint bubbling on the front panel, so
1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

The flowing
lines of the L that was stripped back to bare metal reflected its appearance) it was time
shaped curved only to find there was more filler to sort out the interior. The whole
seating in the rear
create a real sense
than metal! This time it was repaired inside was stripped back, repairs
of space. properly! Alan adds, “We still have to the floor etc. sorted and then
some work to do with the body to sprayed to match the exterior white.
Splits are
sometimes called eliminate some nasties especially the Dynamat sound proofing and new
“the van with a cargo doors and sills as well as the headlining took the bus up from its
face”—you can see
why!
bottom of the long panel but this will basic Kombi spec.
be done over time.” Discussions then started with the
Now christened Bluebelle, (you trimmers about layouts and colours.
can see a pattern emerging here They were not really interested in
on how the Kombi’s names have a camping interior, and, wanting
1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI
All in the detail...

Let’s take a closer look
Top Aptly named Low Life, this is how the bus looked
back in 2012.
Upper middle A repro Westfalia 3 bow rack is both practical
and stylish.
Lower middle A nice finishing touch is the
addition of Bluebelle’s name, embroidered on the
wheel well of the upholstered bulkhead.
Bottom Another personal touch is the engraving of ‘Bluebelle’ on
the horn push.
1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

The front bench seat has been US spec
bumpers with bonus as a way of helping keep her
reshaped with a curving base to give a over-riders and

six pop out side
on the road and looking good. The
main reason for owning her remains
softer, more luxurious effect, whilst the windows are
original to the bus. to enjoy days out and we have even
flowing lines of the curved seating in The front bench
seat has been
had the nice surprise of finding
Bluebelle had won an award at The
the rear create a sense of space reshaped with a
curving base to
Bus Stop last year when we got back
give a softer, more from a walk into town!”
something to use for weekends and check flooring adds a retro look. luxurious effect.
shows, decided to keep the Kombi/ Custom touches in the cab Safari windows
day van heritage but with something area include an MJC wood rim may not be
practical in rainy
that was eye catching, comfortable steering wheel, featuring the name
England but sure
and airy. This has been achieved by Bluebelle engraved in the horn push, are cool especially
the choice of upholstery colours, a Retrosound Radio, skateboard on a sunny day!
Champagne and Vanilla, the stitched wheel gear knob and dash mounted
contrast centre sections and the wire storage tray/ drinks holder. With thanks to...
curving seat designs. The front bench The black and white check flooring
seat has been reshaped with a curving theme continues into the cab, tying
base to give a softer, more luxurious the two areas together. Reaction
Matt @ Auto-Impressions, Grazeley Green,
effect, whilst the flowing lines of to the finished bus was such that Reading, for all the mechanical work and
the L shaped curved seating in the they agreed to use Bluebelle for bodywork. www.auto-impressions.co.uk Tel:
07881 525003
rear create a real sense of space. A a wedding; since then this side to
Eric and the team at Trimmania,
nice finishing touch is the addition owning the bus has grown and last Finchampstead, Wokingham for the stunning
of Bluebelle’s name, embroidered on year they did twenty five weddings! interior
www.trimmania.com Tel: 0118 9324200
the wheel well of the upholstered Sandi says, “We never bought her to Bluebelle is available for wedding hire; go to
bulkhead and the black and white use for weddings but they are a real www.bluebellevw.com for more information.
1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

News and Products
Updates, offers and deals for you and your bus
Blaze Cut Fire Suppression System

We saw this at Dubfreeze
and were so impressed
with quality, ease of fitting
and price we just had
share it. Chris and Andy at
No Worries Campers tell
us about it and how they
got started. After investing
a lot of money in his Split
Bus (Mollybob) with new
interior, new engine and
recon gearbox etc Chris Retro Cup Holders
began to see more and more
stories about VW buses Whilst modern vehicles often come with drink
catching fire so he started holders as standard, things are not that easy for
to look around for anything classic bus owners! VeeDubCudak has however
that would help prevent this come up with a stylish and fully functional solution!
happening. Reading up, Chris Made of 3D laser cut plywood, acrylic or the
found that many systems combination of both, the drinks holders come in
required professional fitting different shapes, sizes and colours and fit disposable
and were expensive, they cups of all sizes and canned drinks. They can also be
took valuable engine bay personalised with your name or your bus’s name. The
space and required drilling or Split Screen versions fit all non barndoor models,
cutting. He then came across and attach to the dash vents whilst the T2 Bay and
the Blaze Cut system, which T3 versions are attached to a base that mounts on
offered a solution without the dash top. Versions for Beetles will follow shortly.
needing any permanent modifications/alterations to the vehicle or engine. Prices vary from £10 to £30, depending on type and
The Blaze Cut is a standalone system that can be attached to your engine model and single or double holder. We met the guys
bay using only cable ties which are supplied with the kit. The bonus is you at Camper Mart and were well impressed with look
don’t have to be mechanically minded and can easily fit it yourself. The and durability, and with their stand which has to be
way the system works is if your engine catches fire the naked fire melts the the biggest cup holder ever! Michael Cudak adds,
detection tube which releases the fluid turning into an extinguishing gas, “More ideas are brewing, so be warned, this is just
putting the fire out. Unable to find a UK supplier Chris imported one from the beginning…”
the USA. It took a long time to arrive and also incurred a hefty import charge! For more info visit VeeDubCudak.co.uk.
Impressed with it however, he contacted Blaze Cut direct with a view to
becoming a UK agent. At his point Andy came in, he’s been involved with
motorsport all his life working at Prodrive for several years. He was very
impressed with the Blaze Cut system so he came on board with Chris.
Andy looked into this further, although the Blaze Cut is a great device if
you have fuel pouring into the engine bay, after the fire has been extinguished
it could easily reignite. To combat this possibility they decided to also stock
fuel cut off solenoids to sell alongside the system. Connected to the coil, once
the engine is turned off they close & no fuel will leak out. It’s also a brilliant
antitheft device when connected to a separate hidden switch.
Chris and Andy add, “Blaze Cut gives piece of mind and works very
effectively in event of fire, but remember prevention is better than cure
so check you fuel lines and connections regularly, always carry a fire
extinguisher and check out any smell of fuel.”
Prices for Blaze Cut are £110 (2m length), £130 (3m) and £150 (4m). The
fuel solenoid is £45. (p/p extra)
For more details and info go to www.noworriescampers.co.uk or email the
guys at info@noworriescampers.co.uk
A video of Blaze Cut in action can be seen on YouTube at
http://youtu.be/oNT6ecCddrc
NEWS & PRODUCTS

Got any goodies you want to show us?
All submissions are gratefully received. Be it news, an event, new products… we’ll do our very best to let everybody else know about it too.
Email editor@volkswagencamper.co.uk, or if you want to be traditional about the whole affair:
Address Editor, VW Camper & Commercial, Jazz Publishing The Old School Higher Kinnerton Chester CH4 9AJ
Bygone Times: The New

Vw Collection By Brisa Dubtastic Designs
German Creative Design company Brisa was Specialising
founded in 1995, and with the launch of their in handmade
patent “clocks in tins” range in 2009 their and hand
reputation for quality and innovation was firmly painted mini
established. Working with VW which has endorsed surfboards
and licenced the range, Brisa has produced a range of & body
high quality VW bus themed products entitled The VW board tables,
Collection, which aims to capture the spirit of bygone Dubtastic
times. As well as VW versions of their famous clock in a Designs is a
tin they also offer a range of wallets, shoulder and messenger bags, backpacks and shopping small family
bags, as well as a range of home accessories from aprons, bone china and enamel mugs to business
3D magnets in the shape of the iconic campervan. The melamine dinner service with its bus based in
images is especially cool! Beautifully packaged (items like the multi tool knife or keyrings Blackpool
come in a very classy tin) we can vouch for the quality of these products – no cheap tat here! Lancashire run by Kevin & Joanne. They
The Brisa VW collection is now available in the UK through offer bespoke one off designs in a range of
Enesco. To see the full collection check wooden surfboards, from rear view mirror
out www.enesco.co.uk and follow the dangles (£7.00 each) to 1.5m wall art at
licensed collections link. £70.00 each. They also make a selection
For more info contact Customer of handmade body board tables in two
Services: Enesco Limited, different sizes; mini body boards are 70cm
Brunthill Road, Kingstown, x 40cm and cost £35.00 plus p&p whilst
Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN, regular body boards are 80cm x 50cm and
telephone: 01228 404022, or email: cost £50.00 plus p&p.
uksales@enesco.co.uk. Each surfboard and body board is unique
to each customer’s requirements, created
from a provided image. All are hand drawn
WIN! EXCLUSIVE READER GIVE AWAY and coloured and, using an extensive
The nice people at Enesco have provided two prizes from the colour palette of acrylic paint pens and
Brisa Collection to give away to readers: paints, they try their best to colour match
 MyClock: a fun and unique photo frame and clock in a tin: suitable for table your vehicle. Each board & table is finished
and wall display, containing a magnetic back for display on a refrigerator or with three protective layers of hard
memo board. wearing water based varnish. A range of
 Bulli Parade design shoulder bag; made from imitation leather and wood is selected to create their products,
featuring old brochure images of signwritten and liveried buses and practical including handpicked 10mm exterior
inner pockets. plywood for the tables & mega board
art work.
To win simply send your name, address, phone and email on a postcard to: For more information & to keep up
VW Camper Giveaway, The Old School,Higher Kinnerton, Chester CH4 9AJ or visit to date on what they are up to follow
www.volkswagencamper.co.uk/competition and enter your details online. Mark their Facebook page Dubtastic Designs
your entry CLOCK or BAG Mini Surfboards. For all enquires please
If entering by post for more than one give away, please indicate this. If applying online contact either Kevin or Joanne by
submit a separate entry for each. Please note, this competition is only open to UK and email kevindougherty1973@me.com or
NI residents. Jazz Publishing will never share your details without your permission. joestaples@hotmail.co.uk.
CLOSING DATE IS JUNE 24th Special offer for readers 10% off postage
please quote Promo code VWC&CMag2016.
And The Winner Is …

Hayden Deakin was the lucky winner and recipient of the Mega Prize
Bundle in Issue 100. Pictured here with his prizes Hayden says, “I was shocked
when I got the email come through saying I had won, I never win anything!
When it all came on Friday, I was so happy. My favourite things would have to be -
the Meguiars set as I love I to keep my car clean, all of the official VW stuff, and of
course the tickets. I’ll be looking forward to attending both of the shows as I love
the vibe and the VW experience. Thank you Camper and Commercial for making
my day!”
NEWS & PRODUCTS

Upcoming show news
The month ahead and forthcoming shows
Vdub At The
Pub Festival, SHOW DIARY
Dorset, THE MONTHS AHEAD
24 - 26 June JUNE
With a successful move last year
to its stunning new Wimborne 5th June
VW EXPO
show ground, this festival is Stonor Park, Henley on Thames
surely what summer is all about: www.abvwc.com
chilling out; camping with mates;
quality food and drink; excellent 10–12th June
ALIVE & V-DUBBIN
entertainment, with something for everyone. Hobie Cat Centre sponsorship once again sees
Jimmy’s Farm , Ipswich
the return of paddle boarding and kayak sessions and now includes a sailing competition www.aliveandvdubbin.co.uk
and party in the pop up pub. With welly wanging, fun sports arena, wife racing, a dodgeball
competition, side shows, fun fair rides, stalls, gourmet street stalls, and even Alfredo Magic Man 17–19th June
for little campers, this festival certainly aims to please. BRISTOL VOLKSFEST
Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton
The heart of this unique event has always been the “pub”, lovingly crafted since the 2008 www.bristolvolksfest.co.uk
festival, and rebuilt from scratch every year since. From here, enjoy a veritable feast of live
music performance throughout the weekend, including a host of bands spotted by “BBC 17–19th June
Introducing”. From Friday’s “Retro Rewind” 80s and 90s party, set around a communal fire, to MIGHTY DUB FEST
Alnwick, Northumberland
Sunday’s “Show and Shine” and the survivors’ photo on Sunday night, this is a packed weekend
www.mightydubfest.co.uk
of non-stop VW family fun.
Dub on down to Dorset – there’s more room than ever this year on the newly extended camp 17–19th June
ground (including larger club spaces), book online at www.vdubatthepub.com THE BUS STOPOVER
Newark Showground,Notts
www.thebusstopover.co.uk
Split Bus Nation, Wachtabeke, Belgium 24–26th June

29 – 31 July VDUB AT THE PUB
Wimbourne Minster, Dorset
This gem of a show is www.vdubatthepub.com
only held every two
24–26th June
years and is one of our LAVENHAM INTERNATIONAL
favourites. Run by a VINTAGE VW MEETING
small team of dedicated www.vintage-volkswagens-lavenham.
co.uk
Split Bus enthusiasts it
offers a friendly, laid back 24–26th June
and informal vibe that’s BATTLESBRIDGE VW SHOW
more like old-school Battlesbridge, Essex
camp outs with mates. www.essexveedubbers.org.uk
The campsite is spotless
and well appointed, and JULY
next door is a huge sports 1st–3rd July
complex with Olympic, CAMPER JAM
Weston Park, nr Telford Shropshire
Sub-tropical and heated www.camperjam.com
outdoor swimming pools
that we always make full 8–10th July
use of! The actual show itself is on the Sunday, held in an adjacent park ( just 5 minutes’ walk DORSET DUBFEST
from the camping ground) boasting a lake and restaurant. Saturday is for chilling, taking part in a Wareham, Dorset
www.dorsetvolksfest.co.uk
photoshoot line up and an amazingly well organised cruise through villages and countryside to a
local VW business whilst Saturday night is the legendary barbecue where the team lay on music,
a bar and an amazing spread / barbecue. They also provide breakfast on the Sunday prior to the
show and both are well worth the extra cost and highly recommended. It’s only 1½ hours easy For full listings visit www.vwshows.com.
driving from Calais or Rotterdam (we are doing the overnight Hull>Rottterdam route this year) Please check details/ dates with organisers
before setting off! If you have a show
but why not extend your stay and take in sights like Brugges?
and want it listed please contact:editor@
We can’t recommend this show highly enough – book your ferries (or Chunnel) now!
volkswagencamper.co.uk
For more info and to book go to www.splitbusnation.be
NEWS & PRODUCTS

Friendly & fun, a family VW bus event for all types
1-3 July 2016
FRIDAY’S
THEME
WACKY WIGS!
SATU
RDAY’S THEME
T S O N S A L E N O W
TICKE
For more information call 01244 881895

1972 DEVEN MOONRAKER
Setting
the standard
Launched by Devon in 1970 as their fully
fitted top end camper, the Moonraker quickly
became Devon’s best selling model
WORDS: DAVID ECCLES PHOTOGRAPHY: RICK DAV Y
The pop top
B
uilt in February 1972, 45 minute journey to the beach makes the interior
the version featured started a love affair. Emma and I feel spacious and
airy.
here is what is known were softly bouncing around in
as a “crossover” model the back of crossover bus in what Lotus White
with the early bay style front end but remained of a Devon conversion. may have been a
slightly earlier Bay
a more modern restyled rear end, and During the journey to the beach I colour but looks
was fitted with the newly introduced was commenting on how relaxing fantastic.
twin carb 1700cc Type 4 motor. It had the ride was, also how comfortable it Devon
been stood for twenty years before must be to sleep in. After an hour or introduced their
own patent
being painstakingly restored to almost so of bellyboard surfing and general elevating roof with
original condition by two successive larking around in the waves we soggily concertina sides in
1968 but by 1974
new owners. trudged back to Tim’s “hippy wagon”
this was replaced
The story really starts in 2008, and an old whistle kettle appeared with striped
when owners Simon and Emma from under a seat, duly filled with canvas.
Gilboy took a trip to the beach in a fresh water from the once hidden sink
friend’s camper. Simon recalls, “Our and the gas cooker lit. Ten minutes
Simon’s aim was to bring the camper

back as close as possible back to how it
looked when new in 1972
1972 DEVON MOONRAKER

later we were all changed, sitting
in comfort and eating sandwiches
washed down with freshly brewed tea.
A life changing moment!”
After two years scouring ads and
forums, they came across this one
on the Early Bay forum. The current
owner had bought it in 2009 with a
view to restoring it and had stripped
it back to bare metal replacing and
panels and welding in new steel
wherever needed. He then resprayed
it in Lotus White and refitted the
engine but then decided the camper
would be too precious for him and his
young family and had set his eyes on a
T25 Syncro. Simon adds, “The original
interior was in need of complete
restoration but that is what attracted
me. I could really do this properly and
enjoy doing it!”

The Moonraker came with a fully 2009 after the death of Mr Wheeler.
documented history: it had been A full photographic record of the
bought new by a Scottish family, the subsequent body restoration just
Wheelers, from Overton Motors in added to the provenance and, two
Kirkcaldy for the sum of £1,727 plus weeks after viewing, Simon was
accessories, Seat Belts £10, Number driving his dream home.
Plates £5 and a Cab Hammock Bunk Simon’s aim was to bring the
£15.60. A considerable sum of money camper back as close as possible
considering the average 3 bed house back to how it looked when new in
price was around £6,000 at the time! 1972. Over the next few years, when
Nicknamed the Batmobile by the it wasn’t in A’J’s V-Dubs workshop, it
children, the camper stayed with was in his. He very carefully removed
the Wheelers for the next thirty the oak interior, stripped it of its
seven years, for the most part mainly remaining polish and professionally
travelling around Scotland, and refinished it with a clear melamine
as well as the original handbooks, lacquer; a task was made a bit
sales receipts, service records and easier by happening to have their
original Ziebart certificate for own French polishing & furniture
rustproofing there are even photos restoration business! Simon tells us,
of the family enjoying camping in it. “the process was time consuming but
In 1979 however a new motorhome ever so pleasurable and I think I have
was bought and the Moonraker done a tiny bit of over restoration…
basically sat in the garage for the the gold foil-like 2 inch tapering
next twenty years, until sold on in shaft that is fitted to the majority of

Original
upholstery.
Classic Early
Bay looks: low
front indicators,
large VW badge
and wrap round
bumper with
integral cab step.
Original Whale
pump tap and
original sink plug.
A sink unit was

sited above the
coolbox.
I have now added a huge pile of receipts

and paperwork to go with the original
mountain of them going right back to
the original invoice and manuals
the ebonised Devon table legs was easier) to buy a new engine, in keeping
restored at the same time as I was with the quest for originality the
re-polishing the oak interior. I didn’t original Type 4 has been fully rebuilt,
know how to reproduce this finish, it refurbishing parts where possible,
was looking very untidy, so I gilded all and even the original wiring in the
seven of them in 24 carat, pure Italian engine bay has been retained (after
gold leaf!” The pop-top was also being safety checked). And though
completely stripped down and rebuilt sun bleached and faded in places, the
to the original Devon specification original ‘Bernard Wardle’ red curtains
with the only modern addition of as they are a small but important part
Celotex insulation in between the of the bus’s heritage.
ribs. Even the original air intake There are a few non original
/ extraction fan was repaired and concessions however. The cab doors
re-installed. A period correct radio were badly rotted and instead of
was also sourced (from Germany), welding in repair panels Simon opted
and Simon plans to have it converted for rust free Californian imports fitted
to digital when funds allow. Whilst with quarter lights, but as opening
it would have been cheaper (and vent windows were a factory option


All the cabinet

woodwork has
been meticulously
restored to as new
condition.
Just some
of the original
documentation that
came with the bus.
Top Original ‘Bernard Wardle’ red curtains have been retained.

Middle Devon provided an optional centre seat for the
gangway to make the front seats into a bench.
Bottom The new style of squarer cooling vents and repositioned
fuel filler (to allow access with sliding door open).

The only real departure from stock is
the fitting of adjustable shocks to the
front beam
they are still period correct! The intermittent hot start issue and then a
only real departure from stock is the leaking fuel line that brought the M5
fitting of adjustable shocks to the to a halt whilst a quick thinking brave
front beam to stop the bus looking fireman fixed the leak before the bus
“like it was sitting down its backside, caught fire but Simon says, “Despite
a bit like a small elephant, it just did the very frustrating break downs and
not look right!” A modern leisure the continual engine hesitation both
battery to power the discreetly fitted Emma and I had become very attached
amplifier and two 12v sockets is to bus. There is just something about
the only other upgrade. Although them that makes you smile.
the bus had originally been Pastel We can honestly say it’s been
White, the previous owner had opted worth all the cost and the frustration
for Lotus White (a 68 – 70 colour) that accompanies owning a classic
and Simon has had the wheels and camper van. Both Emma and I look
bumpers finished in Pastel White to forward to our weekend breaks away
complement and adds, “I have now in ‘Vern.’ You see what many people
added a huge pile of receipts and don’t understand about owning a 43
paperwork to go with the original year old vehicle is half the fun is in the
mountain of them going right back to journey. Our holiday starts as soon as
the original invoice and manuals!” soon as we turn the key; assuming it
Finally in the summer holidays of fires up of course!”
2014 Simon and Emma finally got
to do what the camper was bought
for. “We didn’t book anything, risky I
know, but it worked. We just loaded
up Vern and drove the 30 mile journey
to the borders of Devon. We spent
the next week following our noses,
driving along the Atlantic coastline
of Cornwall having just the best time
ever. Our recent buy of a drive away
awning has transformed the way we With thanks to...
use it now, and the swing out cooker is
magical, it allows us to cook fantastic Good friend Tim for getting us into living
with a classic bus, for acting as escort when I
meals alfresco whilst avoiding filling picked it up and for countless advice since.
the interior with steam.” Adam at A’J’s V-Dubs in Paignton for all his
hard work in the past and more than likely in
Life with the bus has not been the future! Tel: 01803 526177
without problems, especially an www.facebook.com/Ajsvdubs/info

Bus Doctor
The Bus Doctor
is sponsored by
Mail order parts specialists
www.GermanCamperCompany.com
Got a problem or a query? Steve Leatham & Simon Baxter answer some of your questions…
Email info@volkswagencamper.co.uk Address Bus Doctor, VW Camper & Commercial, The Old School Higher Kinnerton Chester CH4 9AJ
Aussie Skylights
Deluxe Clock? Dear Bus Doctor,
Dear Doc I have an Australian camper which has an old
My mate has just skylight in the pop top which has been sealed
bought a Deluxe up in the past but does leak slightly, I want
Microbus from USA to replace it but not sure if they are different
without the sliding from the sort of things they sell on Jjust
roof and roof windows Kampers’ or if I will need to source from Oz?
(having a fixed roof Tom
was an option he was
told.) But it does not Skylights are pretty common place in motor
seem to have a clock or homes and caravans both in Oz and in UK. As
hole in dash where one to whether there is an international standard
should be. Was there for such things I’m unsure. Firstly look for
an option for no dash some online camper stores that sell such
clock on Deluxe buses? things so that you can see what dimensions are
Brendan available. If you don’t find anything, try giving
Billy a call at ‘G’day Kombis’. They import and
All Deluxe restore Australian campers, They must have
Microbuses had dealt with leaky skylights at some stage.
a clock fitted as part of standard spec, regardless of whether sliding or non sliding
roof. It was also not possible to order a clock for a non Deluxe model. If the M and / or Oil Contamination Or Leak?
chassis plate confirm it to be a Model 24, the Deluxe Microbus code, there are only two Dear Bus Doctor,
possibilities really, either the dash has been changed, or else the hole has been plated over My 1974 van has leaked a substantial volume
and the dash repainted. of a mixture of petrol and oil onto the garage
floor, and petrol is mixed with the oil on
the oil dipstick. The leak occurred when I
Flasher Fault I’m afraid not. the spline is MUCH larger was not there to see it (of course) but over
Dear Bus Doctor, on the ‘splitty’ reduction gear boxes so will a period of 15 minutes I saw one drop fall
I have a 1971 US bus and noticed today that definately not fit! from the wet rim of the drain plug. It has a
when I indicate left or right no light is now 2 litre engine (original engine replaced by
appearing in the instrument cluster and, Engine Rebuild Problem this 2 litre engine by a previous owner in the
rather than flashing, the indicators just stay Dear Bus Doctor, undocumented mists of time), an electric
on constantly. I’ve checked and this is also I have got hold of a partially re-built 1600 petrol pump, and a pressure regulator
the same for the hazards. Can you tell me if Type 2 engine that has been line bored between the pump and the two carburettors.
it’s the relay at fault or is there something to 1.5mm with 2mm thrust and 0.25mm Any suggestions as to what could have
else I should check before purchasing? conrods, according to the machine shop caused the leak?
Richie details that came with it. The engine turns Grant Mitchell
but was tight and the obvious reason to
Good testing is always a good place to me seems after strip down that the main If it had been a type1 engine with stock
start. This can happen if the earth lead to bearings are marked as 1.5/0.75? The mechanical fuel pump it would’ve been the
Terminal #31 on the flasher relay is broken/ conrod bearings are 0.25 so it looks like the pump diaphragm for sure, split and leaking
disconnected. Touch a jumper wire from some wrong bearings have been fitted? Does this fuel into the engine....common failure and
dash earth point to Term #31 (brown wire) make sense? symptoms much the same as yours. Not too
and see if that changes anything. If no change, Matt sure how fuel could enter the engine/sump
it’s a fair bet the relay has failed. Water with an electric pump though?? But I’d be
leakage from the screen gasket seal into the There is no 0.75 cut in Align Boring, this is looking at:- Fuel pipes for splits - rubber can
relay is a common problem and cause. the crank size. If the engine turned over but be destroyed with modern petrol these days
was tight, you either have a crank out of true and should be replaced with the very latest
Split Drums or the bearings have not located correctly. approved pipes as a matter of course. Carb
Dear Bus Doc, If it has not been bored correctly it would floats or needle valves failing, possibly the
Do you know if VW trekker drums have leave the bearing scuffed all the way round. fuel pump is over pressuring the supply ( or
the same spline/axle diameter as ‘splitty’ Was the centre cam bearing resized? If not regulator set to high) and the needle valves in
reduction gear boxes? this will make it difficult to turn. The other the float chambers are not coping, allowing
Simple Simon problem you could encounter is the case fuel to dribble/flood into the carb throat and
being distorted. then into the engine.
BUS DOCTOR
Camper Mail
Camper mail is sponsored by JustKampers,
and each “Letter of the month” will receive a
complimentary £25 JustKampers gift voucher!
Your chance to share a pic, story, a tip or even a grouse!

Email editor@volkswagencamper.co.uk Address Camper Mail, VW Camper & Commercial, The Old School, Higher Kinnerton, Chester, CH4 9AJ
Tipmaster Lett
e
Dear David, of th r
I am the owner of a Volkswagen T3 transporter pick up M onthe
single cab 1989 model with a 1.7 diesel engine. When I
W inner
brought the vehicle with my father in 1989 new we had it
converted and had a Tipmaster body fitted onto it. I then
sold it about 10 years ago but then re-purchased it off the person
I sold it to as I heard it was going to be scrapped due to engine
problems. I’m not sure how many T3s were converted by Tipmaster
it may well be the only one left? I still have the original new drop
sides from this vehicle in my shed covered in the factory wax.
Unfortunately early in 2009 my father passed away so I did not have
the heart to do anything and the only reason that I have gained
interest in doing something with the vehicle again is because I read
your brochure line article about Tip Masters in your February 2015
issue. After talking about it with the family we have now decided to
restore it in memory of our dad.
I see it as a piece of Volkswagen history and it may well be the

only one left so even if it takes me the next couple of years I’ll do
my best to restore it to its former glory; as always it will take time
and money but I think it will be worth it. My family has had a long
relationship with VW Transporters dating back to 1969 when my
dad purchased his first single cab Pick up; since then we’ve owned
quite a few and my dad was one of the first to order in 1975 bay
window fitted with the Tipmaster body by Perkins Commercial
Services. I also enclose a picture of my 1985 double cab, which I also
purchased with my father from new.
Rosario De fazio
Trackers Early start

Hi Editors, Hi Guys,
Interesting and very worthwhile article about trackers in this month’s magazine—I Jut thought I’d send you a pic of my bus at Slough
would recommend everyone fit one. Swapmeet last year. It was a bit cold at 2am in the
The one you featured is very pricey compared to others on the market. I fitted car park so not for the faint hearted, but at least I
a TK103 from Rewire Security which costs about £50, comes with a year’s live got a good spot for the day!
subscription to GPSLive, which is a website to view the location and show details with Cheers
history. It is then £10 per year after. It has all the features that the one in your article Lee
has, plus over speed alarm, geo ring fence, ignition on alarm, door open and the ability
to switch off an included relay—mine is connected to a fuel cut off solenoid. A slightly
more expensive version includes an alarm. The GPRS sim costs about £2 per month. I
think £250 for a tracker these days is very expensive compared to what else there is on
the market.
www.rewiresecurity.co.uk/103rs-car-vehicle-tracking-device
This is not an advertisement, I am just really impressed with it.
Best wishes
Stuart Hathaway
CAMPER MAIL
How To
Find the grease points on your Bay Window
Tools
Needed
■ Cloths Follow our guide to pumping grease into Difficu
lty
■ Disposable Rating
gloves the steering and suspension components
■ Grease
(cartridge or tin) on a Bay Window
■ Grease gun
■ Penetrating fluid
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB HAWKINS
■ Small
screwdriver
■ Soft brush
■ Spanners
8-9mm
here are five grease points along the method, a cartridge. Tins and cartridges cost £3-£5
T
■ Trolley jack and
axle stands front beam of most Bay Window Buses each, but you get more grease for your money from a
■ White spirit for the suspension arms and steering tin. If you’ve never used a grease gun before, or can’t
idler, which should be kept lubricated remember the last time you did, then be prepared to get
Thanks to with multi-purpose grease. The grease also needs covered in grease, so wear old clothes or overalls and
refreshing as part of routine servicing. The easiest have plenty of cloths ready to wipe up unwanted grease.
Herbie Hospital
way to do this is to use a grease gun to pump fresh The following pages provide a step by step guide to
0113 242 0029
grease through the grease points (grease nipples), pumping grease through the grease points on a Bay
www.herbie
hospital.com allowing the old grease to ooze out. Window. Set aside one hour to allow for problems,
Grease guns are available from most tool stockists, but with a little luck and practice, you can have all
such as Machine Mart and Draper, plus general stores five grease points lubricated in ten minutes. Whilst
such as Halfords, B&Q and Screwfix. Expect to pay the same basic principles and procedures apply to
upwards of £10 for a grease gun that can either be filled Splits, consult your handbook or manual for location
with multi-purpose grease from a tin, or for a cleaner of grease points.
HOW TO
1 2
3 4
5 6
Raising, cleaning and loading Greasing up the steering and

(pictures 1–3) lower arms
If you can squeeze underneath the front end of your Bay, then you (pictures 4–6)
won’t need to raise it to access the five grease nipples. If space is
You should be able to see a grease nipple on the lower section of
tight, or the suspension has been lowered, either use drive on ramps,
the front beam at each end. Secure the end of the grease gun over
or raise the front using a trolley jack positioned underneath the
the grease nipple, then pump the grease through. You may hear a
front beam, then secure it with two axle stands (do not rely upon the
cracking sound, which is the old grease oozing out at the ends of the
trolley jack).
lower suspension arms, where they are attached to the beam. Keep
Locate each grease nipple and clean any dirt off it using a soft pumping until fresh grease comes out, then wipe away the old grease
brush. Load the grease gun with multi-purpose grease. This can to avoid contaminating the brakes.
be a very messy job. Cartridges are available, which save time, but There’s a grease point in the middle of the front beam, which is for
despite they cost the same as a tin of grease, you don’t get quite so the steering idler. Pump grease through here until it oozes out and
much for your money. fresh grease appears. Pumping this amount of grease through ensures
all of the old grease is replaced.
HOW TO
7 8
9 10
11 12
Greasing the upper arms Blockages

(pictures 7–9) (pictures 10–12)
The grease nipples on the upper sections of the front beam are quite One of the main problems with grease points is when a grease
awkward to access. You may need to adjust the angle of the grease nipple becomes blocked. If you struggle to pump grease through,
gun and its nozzle to manoeuvre it into position. Once the end of spray over the grease nipple with penetrating fluid, then carefully
the grease gun has been fitted onto the grease nipple (in some cases undo it with an 8-9mm spanner (sizes vary). Remove the grease
it will click into position), start pumping, but check the grease isn’t nipple, then soak it in white spirit. Poke a small screwdriver inside
leaking out from here. Just like the lower suspension arms, grease to see if the spring loaded valve can move. Attach the grease nipple
will start to ooze out of the ends of the upper suspension arms where onto the end of the grease gun and pump grease through it before
they are attached to the front beam. Stop pumping grease through refitting it and trying again. In some cases, you may need to renew
when you can see fresh grease oozing out. Wipe off all the old grease the grease nipple.
to prevent it escaping onto the brakes. It can sometimes help to move the suspension when pumping
grease through it, which helps to distribute the grease and ensure it
lubricates everything inside.
HOW TO
SHOWS
THE GUTHRIE WALK
Arlo Guthrie and VW buses

stamp out Huntington’s disease
Originally a song inspired by true events, Alice’s Restaurant was one
of the iconic movies of the sixties, like Easy Rider, which encapsulated
youth culture and anti-establishment feelings of the time
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: STAN WOHLFARTH
1: Row of buses at
the Guthrie center.
2: Arlo greeting
some fans before
the 2014 walk.
3: Arlo fans from

NJ show off their
sweet Westy.
4: Start of walk
in Stockbridge.
Theresa’s café is in
the rear.
E
5: Bus driver’s, with
very May, in western Jim DiGennaro on November of 1965, when he used his there they head out of town, past
Massachusetts, USA, the right. VW microbus to haul some garbage the Police station, with stops for
Guthrie family sponsors 6: Ice cream stop. for Alice and dumped it illegally. photo-ops, freebies and plenty of
The Guthrie Walk for Arlo’s song, “Alice’s Restaurant good snacks along the 6 mile, mostly
Huntington’s disease. For those Massacree”, tells the whole story downhill, course.
who don’t know, Arlo Guthrie and and is a Thanksgiving favourite for During the walk, the bus drivers
his father Woody, who suffered and classic rock radio stations to play. stay busy moving water, ice and
subsequently died from the disease, On the morning of the walk, snack tables along the route. Any
are well known folk singers. The everyone meets at the Guthrie tired walkers can flag down a bus
walk raises awareness and money to Center, an old church in Great for a ride as well. Most people can
fight the deadly neurological disease. Barrington, where they register do the walk with no problem, but an
In a nod to the original red Microbus and get their free T-shirt. A team occasional foot blister can hamper
which starred in the film it also uses of volunteer bus drivers, and their some. Everyone enjoys their early
vintage VW buses to ferry walkers trusty microbuses, then ferry all morning ride in the buses though,
to the beginning of the course, the walkers to Theresa’s cafe in and it’s a great way to see the course
Theresa’s Stockbridge café, on the Stockbridge to start the walk. From and meet fellow walkers.
former site of Alice’s restaurant. The
walk is quite an event and the whole In a nod to the original red Microbus which starred
community seems to come out in
support. Even the local Police are a in the film the event also uses vintage VW buses to
big part of the day. Arlo was brought
in by Stockbridge Police back in
ferry walkers
SHOWS
2 3
4 5
6 SHOWS
7 8
9 10
12
11 13
SHOWS
SHOWS
THE GUTHRIE WALK
7: Arlo’s tour bus

and my ‘61 at the
Guthrie center.
8: Mmmmm,
shrimp cocktail!
9: Abe Guthrie, on
right, in my ‘61 bus.
10: Dump Closed

sign, as Arlo would
have seen it back
in 1965.
11: Dump Divas

and bus drivers.
12: Stockbridge
Police are part of
the fun, with my
‘61 bus.
13: Arlo dumping

the rubbish,
unaware he was
committing a
crime!
14 15
Several water stops, sponsored by tracks down to the Guthrie center One of the last stops is
local businesses, have great snacks where cold drinks and complimentary
such as Ben and Jerry’s ice cream sandwiches await. Some years, Abe the town dump, closed on
(from their Pittsfield store), shrimp
cocktails (from the Laurel Lake
Guthrie and his band will play a few
songs while the walkers enjoy lunch.
Sunday of course, just like it
centre for health and rehabilitation), Arlo doesn’t make it every year, was for Arlo
candy and other fun food. Rest depending on his tour schedule,
14: Original 1967
assured, no one goes hungry or but his sister Lisa and son Abe are Album cover.
Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant
thirsty on this walk. always there. And our bus driver Massacree” was released on his 1967
15:1969 Film Poster.
One of the last stops is the town captain, Jim DiGennaro, is the force debut album Alice’s Restaurant. The
20 minute track, partly sung, partly
dump, closed on Sunday of course, behind the volunteer VW buses. 16: Arlo in the
famous red Microbus narrated, was inspired by a true
just like it was for Arlo. The team of Bus drivers even get special T-shirts used to ferry litter to incident from his life that began on
volunteer ‘dump divas’ are always every year. This is a fantastic event the dump. Thanksgiving Day 1965 when he
took a load of rubbish to the (closed)
dressed in crazy costumes and give out that combines a functional use for town dump and was subsequently
17: Arrested by the
dump-themed goodies for the walkers. your VW bus, a charity event, and police for littering. arrested for littering, and goes on to
From there, you follow the railroad the celebration of an iconic song. trace the refusal of the U.S. Army to
draft him because of his conviction
for that crime. The ironic punch
line of the story is that, in the words
of Guthrie, “I’m sittin’ here on the
Group W bench ‘cause you want to
know if I’m moral enough to join the
Army—burn women, kids, houses and
villages—after bein’ a litterbug.” In
1969 the song was made into a film,
starring Arlo as himself. The film spoke
to many young people of the time,
seeming to sum up their alienation
from the way the world was moving
and whole the anti Vietnam War
movement and ideals of the counter
culture. It also cemented the role of
a VW bus as something appealing to
free spirits “doing their own thing.”
17
8
16
SHOWS
1998 CUSTOM T4
Hard rock
retro diner
When a T4 wins an award at The Brighton
Breeze (only the second time in 18 years) you
know it has to be something a bit special.
WORDS: DAVID ECCLES PHOTOGRAPHY: SIMON COOKE
The dash has

hilst from the outside atmosphere with a great group of
W
also been painted
this may appear to be just welcoming down to earth people. I in red and cream.
another white custom knew I needed to become a part of Note the matching
polka dot drinks
T4, albeit with some eye it!” And so the hunt began for a T4 holder.
catching features like the metal flake that he could personalise. He spotted
Transforming
bonnet and stance, it’s when you look the ideal vehicle on EBay in 2014—a the look of the
inside you begin to appreciate the white LWB T4 2.5tdi. There were and stereotypical
“White Van”.
work and detailing that has gone into a few scratches on the body and two
theming this camper as a ’50s retro side windows had been fitted, which
The bonnet and
diner meets hard rock café. had been tinted but which were very the side mirrors
Owner Andy Williams (no jokes dark with air bubbles showing. Andy have been painted
in black with
please about Music to Watch Girls loved the lowered stance and the holographic metal
By) is a relative newcomer to the fitted chrome bull bars at the front flake for a look
VW Bus world, telling us, “I first and despite having only a lined rear that changes with
the light.
got into the VW scene after going to area and badly worn and ripped cab
Camper Jam in 2013. It was a lovely seats he liked the idea of taking it on Details like the
wall plaques and
vinyl record lined
When you look inside you begin to roof add to the
look.
appreciate the work and detailing that
has gone into theming this camper as a
’50s retro diner meets hard rock café
1998 CUSTOM T4
1998 CUSTOM T4
1998 CUSTOM T4

Top LED lighting and vinyl LPs make for one very distinctive
roof interior.
Upper middle Side mirrors have been finished in holographic
metal flake to match the bonnet.
Lower middle ’50s pin up girls—Music to Watch Girls By?
Bottom Stickers to make you smile.
1998 CUSTOM T4
Blue LED
lighting is also
as a project that he could make into addition of new chunky side rails and
fitted under the something distinctive—with the bonus corner bars. The wheels were changed
van. of the extra space offered by the long to 18-inch BBS replicas (a swap with
Chunky side wheel base model. his father in law) and the finishing
rails and corner First up was to get the exterior touch was to apply Evolution of Van
bars and 18-inch
BBS replica wheels looking right. The side windows and VW themed graphics to the side
provide custom were re-tinted properly by Window and rear windows (the Emissions
styling.
Tint Solutions and then Chris Jones Cheater Inside being very topical!).
Bulkhead set to work on repainting the body. Initially Andy sticker bombed
kitchen unit
Andy opted to stick with White, but the dash, but decided it did not look
continues the retro
diner theme. had light metal flake and red pearl right or fit in with the ’50s American
mixed in. To develop a custom look Diner theme he had in mind. With
Door panels
have been finished the bonnet and under grill panel Cherry Red, Cream and Chrome
in red with cream and the side mirrors were painted in being the colours that would develop
detailing to ad to
the retro diner black with holographic metal flake, this retro diner look he then had the
styling. which sparkles in a myriad of rainbow dash and door panels painted red,
Spoilers have
colours when the sun hits it. Chrome with contrasting cream sections. At
been fitted above roof rails and black finished rear cargo this point he also fitted a Double Din
the twin rear door spoilers continued the styling DVD player, rear TV and reversing
doors.
which was then enhanced by the camera. To fund a new rock and roll
To develop a custom look the bonnet

and under grill panel and the side
mirrors were painted in black with
holographic metal flake
1998 CUSTOM T4
1998 CUSTOM T4
bed and new trimming he sold his strips this really creates that authentic
motorbike and contacted Chris at retro diner look. The curving worktop
Voodoo Campers, who trimmed the has been finished in the same black
cab seats and rock and roll rear seat/ holographic metal flake as the bonnet
bed in matching Cherry Red, with and mirrors, tying in the exterior
Cream contrast panels. The Bentley colour scheme. The finishing touch
style diamond stitch pattern adds to was to fit blue LED light strips under
the distinctive look. Continuing the the top edge of the worktop.
retro diner theme, black and white Attention to interior detailing can
check flooring was then fitted and a also be seen with the electric guitar
flap up table mounted on the sidewall. (in red and cream of course) mounted
Painted by wife Jo, the table features a on the sidewall, matching red / white
50 American Diner scene, and was the check curtains (also done by Jo) and
start of the addition of personalised the authentic 50s style metal plaques
touches to create the ambience. (as found in American diners of the
The roof lining was sagging so this time). Things like the guitar and roof
was ripped out and redone with the lined with vinyl LPs give the 50s diner
Window
addition of an LED light board, and style a modern twist reminiscent of the graphics and
at this point came the inspiration for Hard Rock Café. custom VW logo in
same holographic
With thanks to...
probably the biggest talking point The end result is one very distinctive
finish as the bonnet.
about the bus—lining the whole roof camper, which attracts attention
Sub woofers
with vinyl LPs. wherever it goes; people even come up are built into the
Finding a bespoke kitchen unit very on petrol station forecourts for a closer end of the kitchen
expensive Andy decided to build his look and a chat! Andy adds, “You know unit whilst a wall
mounted electric
own bulkhead version using MDF, what the VW world is like; a bus is guitar has the
featuring built in subs, fridge and Smev never finished there are always things contemporary Hard
Rock Cake look.
sink / hob unit. Finished in matching that I will still want to do such as fitting
Cherry Red with Cream cupboard a split charge system and having the Long Wheel
Base model
doors, glass front fridge door, chrome engine remapped, but that’s all part of provides much
cupboard handles and chrome edging the fun!” more room.
Chris Male at Voodoo Campers, Manchester,

for my front seats and r&r bed. He’s a top
bloke with a top team. www.voodoocampers.
co.uk Tel: 01613301837
Chris Jones for all my respray and custom
paint work, both outside and in
07568551793
David Preece (father in law) for buying me bits
for my van and swapping wheels with me
My wife Jo Williams for painting my table and
making my curtains.
And finally another big thank you to my family
for putting up with me always working on
the van.
1998 CUSTOM T4
Restorers of Classic Cars
181 Classic Motors, restorers of classic cars,
pride themselves on offering a wide range of
restoration and repair services to classic car
enthusiasts across Nottinghamshire and the
rest of the East Midlands.
Services
• Classic car servicing
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info@181classicmotors.co.uk
www.181classicmotors.co.uk
181 Classic Motors, Unit A6, Enterprise Business Park,
Brunel Drive, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2DZ
T. 01636 918080 M. 07725 052996
Brochure Line Origin
VW sal al
literatu es
Pencil Prototype Preis re
‘Interested in some pencil sketches by Robert Preis?’ I was and
seized them from the hand of the seller faster than he could say
VW Transporter!
WORDS: RICHARD COPPING
hort of finding a copies of the maestro’s works of
S finished original
Robert Preis ‘painting’,
the exhibition of
pencil sketches that form the core
art. However, such a summary is an
injustice to Preis, whose drawings
evolved, each illustrating the
Transporter’s assets without undue
of this issue’s special Brochure Line exaggeration, while revealing why
represent a zenith in a collecting the Delivery Van, Kombi and Micro
career of over twenty-five years Bus were a cut above any rivals
standing. First things first though, produced by other manufacturers.
just in case you can’t see what all the Although neither signed nor
fuss is about. Who was this artist dated, that the sketches are the work
and what part did he play in the VW of Herr Preis is incontrovertible,
story? as not only do they mirror his
The answer is that Robert Preis published work, but also they
(or in English, Price) was responsible formed part of a larger auction lot,
for the artwork in ninety-five per which included other aspects of
cent of all Transporter brochures his known portfolio. Most notably,
published between late 1955 and there were samples of work the
1960/1, after which Volkswagen’s artist had produced for the tyre
literature changed big-style and the manufacturer Fulda, while there
Below left:
Mr Robert Price, work of all artists was cast asunder. was corroboratory evidence in the
Commercial Before him, the Transporter had form of a Christmas card addressed
Graphic Artist
been in the hands of that master of to Robert Preis, Gebrauchsgraphiker
Top and his craft, Bernd Reuters and at first,
bottom right:
Preis’s scribbled the work of Robert Preis appeared
amends for future
consideration
lacklustre, little more than a series
of rather obvious, if less skilful,
BROCHURE LINE
(Commercial Graphic Artist), in
an envelope post-marked 21 12 56.
Further verification of origin was
the inclusion of the well-known,
Preis dominated 1956 folder entitled
‘Die VW-Transporter’, complete
with several brochure inserts,
each of which had been annotated,
indicating amendments the artist
had been requested, or intended to
make in preparation for a future
printing.
The size of the four surviving
sketches (there appears to have
been more than one run, as there
Above:
are two number ‘2’s and, as is Sketch numbered ‘2’ Preis appears to have thought of Sketch No 2
implied, there was also a sequence The concept and the finished including at least one further man in
Below:
of lettered sketches) are not large. product are not dissimilar, although the foreground left, the one facing Published works
Each measures roughly the same more of the roof panel is visible away from the Kombi being more that may well
have their origins
at around 145mm x 90mm and is in the sketch. Preis must have detailed than the hastily scribbled, in Sketch No2
therefore comparable in size to originally imagined the picture and out of proportion, figure facing
the average postcard. None are from a more elevated position. towards the vehicle. It is also possible
identical to the works reproduced This works better in terms of the that Preis envisaged an additional
in the various brochures, although men approaching the vehicle in the man close to the rear side-loading
the resemblance in two instances background who, in the finished door, although there is only really the
is greater than in the third, while work, look to be walking in space. ghost of an individual visible.
the fourth appears to have been
discarded as a concept either by
Preis himself, or possibly at a
planning meeting between the
artist and what might loosely be
termed, Volkswagen’s marketing
department.
BROCHURE LINE
Sketch marked B
One of two published images of a
cutaway/ghost Kombi designed
to show both parcel and people
loading capacities could well have
originated from this preliminary
pencil sketch. Of the two, the
slightly later carry’s the strongest
resemblance, largely due to the
near identical angle of the vehicle
between sketch and full-colour
image. Similarly the lorry like, flat
positioning of the steering wheel is
depicted in both, whereas with the
earlier ghost-style image, the wheel
has acquired an angle more in the
direction of that of the average car.
Both finished works show that the
artist has added a jaunty and more
effective angle to the parcel being
manhandled into the rear of the
vehicle.
Above
Sketch B Why Preis decided to restrict
occupancy of the cab to just two
Left:
Which of these people is a mystery, particularly as
two published he placed them close to each other,
images is closer
to Sketch B? The albeit that in so doing he could
answer may be in
the steering wheel
show space for a third individual at
the passenger end of the bed seat.
While a good percentage of Preis’s
early work with the Transporter
appears to mirror that of Reuters
in terms of positioning the
vehicle, this series of Kombi
images illustrates that the artist
was perfectly capable of creating
drawings from scratch. Reuters
never produced a cutaway/ghost
vehicle (an early Reuters Beetle
brochure does depict the car in
such a manner, but careful scrutiny
reveals that a second artist peeled
off the roof and inserted passengers
on the now visible seats). With
the dismissal of the barn door
engine lid, Preis took a delight
in presenting the assets of the
Kombi and Delivery Van’s derriere,
something Reuters had virtually
always avoided. The Transporter
pose of this sketch and fully
completed artwork is also not a
typical Kombi angle of earlier years.
Obviously, Preis wished to show off
the new opening rear hatch with
its inclusion in this work, as well as
depicting the individual who was
loading a parcel onto the shelf above
the engine bay.
Left:
Sketch 5 (X2)
Below:
One looks to be
a more obvious
‘copy’ of Sketch
5, but notice
the man loading
through the side
doors in the other
Bottom left:
Sketch 2 X, the
one that didn’t
make it, unless
you know
different
Sketch marked 5 (and x2

Having previously suggested that
Preis both mirrored the classic
poses offered by Bernd Reuters and
devised his own stances for the
Transporter, this sketch illustrates
the point to perfection. The iconic
cover image of a Kombi dating from
the early to mid-fifties depicts two
Kombis, one being loaded with
substantial boxes, the other ferrying
a family to a weekend or holiday
destination.
This Preis sketch copies that
theme, but whereas the Reuters
image shows the two Kombi’s facing
in different directions, this show
both heading towards the right of
the page. With the sketch developed
to publication, the disadvantage
of showing the ‘passenger’ side of
the people-carrying Kombi is more
openly apparent and conceivably
this is why before a final decision
was made, Preis marked it with an
the symbol of rejection.
Sketch numbered ‘2’ and windows down the side of the vehicle
marked with a cross suggest that when finished this
The suspicion is, as the sketch Transporter would have blossomed
is marked with a cross that this into a Samba, although it is noted that
charming illustration of a Micro Bus skylights are missing in the sketch.
De Luxe travelling on a rural byway, As usual, a word about value; I
with both fells and a village in the took the view that the ‘collection’
background, was rejected by either was worth what I was prepared
Preis or someone he presented it to. to pay, while the vendor was more
Certainly, unless brochure material concerned that the ‘lot’ wouldn’t be
exists that hasn’t attracted the eye split. Amazingly, this unique chunk of
of this collector to date and contains brochure history cost less than many
a fully worked up version of the a rare single publication. Of course,
sketch, none of passenger carrying that still means a basic three digit
Transporter brochures of the era figure, in turn multiplied by three
carry it. The implied number of or four.
www.volkswagencamper.co.uk
THE BAREFOOT CHEF
PHEASANT CASSEROLE
G
OO
D FOO
D
The Barefoot Chef
N
A very unusual occurrence this month with a minor

DAM
T
OO change to the barefoot fleet
R EF
BA 200
9
S!
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVE RICHARDS

CE
SIN
ES
NO IN
PONC
A bit about
the chef
The ‘Barefoot
Chef’ started life
as a photography
project, which
went on to spawn
a number of
comedy cookery
videos on Youtube.
Before this
column, Dave was
involved with a
cookery spot on
local radio until he
made squirrel stew
and was never
invited back!
I
’m one of those blokes who attached and spent a bit of time magician, I pulled a humungous
seldom changes his vehicles, making it into a cool* looking, colour quantity of stuff out of the little
but this month I actually sold matched trailer to tow behind my trailer. A broken awning, three
the half Beetle trailer that’s bay. The trailer actually made it as windbreaks and ten folding chairs,
been parked up on my drive for as far as VW Woodstock in June 2004 that really is TEN folding chairs,
long as anyone can remember. It and to Bug Jam later that year, but not to mention tie downs, spare
was many years ago that I bought then it occurred to me that garden awing poles, more tent pegs that
a sawn-off beetle with an A frame furniture was perhaps just a little I will ever need, a WMD firepit
too much clobber to be taking with (which of course can seldom be lit
us for a simple weekend away and up at any half decent campsite),
that was the end of that. Since then beach mats, a gazebo and even a
it’s been used as a garden shed and stove top sausage roller.
a place to keep my camping gear. I was planning to bung all of this
I had no idea how much stuff I’d stuff under the back room bed, but a
accumulated! There’s not much trip to the tip shifted a lot of gear that
room in the back of a beetle for I was never likely to use again. The
passengers but it appears that I have remainder is stacked in the back of
managed to fill every available cubic the garage or the back bedroom and
inch with all manner of tat. the essentials are packed neatly into
The fair Lady Barefoot was the bus. We’re ready to go, just add
less than impressed when, like a bedding, clothes & water!
THE BAREFOOT CHEF

on and finally through the centre
PHEASANT of the breast bone. Heat the oil in
CASSEROLE a large heavy bottomed pan, add
the four pheasant joints and brown
Serves two
on all sides, then add the roughly
INGREDIENTS chopped onion and apple, a dollop
■ A pheasant of strawberry jam, two glasses
■ A splash of sunflower oil of vegetable stock and a glass of
■ A glass of white wine white wine. Season well with salt
■ An apple and an onion & pepper and mixed herbs, stir
■ A tablespoon full of thoroughly and bring to the boil.
strawberry jam Turn the heat right down, cover
■ 2 glasses of vegetable stock the pan and relax with another
■ Mixed herbs couple of glasses of wine whilst
■ A glass full of double cream the stew simmers for about an
■ Salt and pepper hour. Then, remove the jointed
I know that the lid
bird and stir the double cream into and forks. So there’s all that, but says Branston Pickle,
METHOD the liquid to thicken it. I served there’s only really two pans and but it really is
homemade
Joint the bird, this is actually mine with two varieties of tinned a chopping board involved in the Strawberry Jam!
much easier than you’d think, beans, simply warmed through in a actual preparation.
simply cut down either side of second pan.
the spine with a large pair of
scissors, remove the spine and CLEAR UP Game, set and match
the pheasant will practically fall It’s not the end of the world, For me, this is really where it all began. A decade or
apart in your hands, snip through but you will have to serve this more ago, my ‘Natural Born Dubber’ club mates were
the flesh that still holds the legs on proper plates with knives all burning the same sausages and burgers at every
show, like it was some sort of ritual and I set out to
Many years ago, I bought a sawn-off prove a point. Pheasant is a really spectacular ‘game for
beginners’ and this simple casserole will enable you to
Beetle with an A frame attached do it right every time.
THE BAREFOOT CHEF

TRAVEL
SWITZERLAND
Three Alpine
Passes and an
Alpine VW Festival
Grant Mitchell and family take a drive through stunning mountain scenery
and scary roads, ending up at Chateau d’Oex vintage VW show
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: GRANT MITCHELL
W
e left home in Geneva on a sunny August
weekend, heading to the Valais along one
of the most scenic motorways in the world.
Cruising at a steady 90km/h in our 1974
Westfalia Weekender, we had lots of time to admire the
Jura mountains on our left, Lake Geneva and the Alps on
our right, then the Alps on both sides as we continued past
the lake up the Rhone valley. After the motorway ended
near Sierre, we paused to buy fresh Valais apricots from a
roadside stand. Stopping in Brig, we checked into the Haus
Schönstatt, a spartan but comfortable B&B run by nuns,
then made our way to the Brigerbad to relax in the thermal
pools while our two boys enjoyed the cold water of the
182m long water slide. Much as we love our campervan, it
is neither as comfortable nor as quiet as a modern car, so
after a few hours on the road it was a pleasure to soak in 38
degree C water while gazing up at the peaks.
The next day a short drive from Brig took us to the
first of two cable cars that lifted us up to Bettmeralp
1: Chateau
d’Oex Meeting and then to the Bettmerhorn at 2,647m above sea level.
international VW. The views of the Alps in all directions were stunning,
2: Grimsel Pass
but our attention focused on the Aletsch glacier below
2
summit view. us, the longest glacier in the Alps. We had a lovely hike
TRAVEL
4
traversing the slope above the glacier, with new mountain

vistas, and Valais Blacknose sheep, at every turn of the trail.
Tuesday was cloudy but we took a chance and rode the
train from Brig to Zermatt. Heading out of Zermatt on a
footpath to the Gornerschlucht (river gorge) we had only
a brief glimpse of the Matterhorn when the clouds parted
for a few seconds, but the clouds did not prevent us
enjoying the alpine flowers, and marveling at the eroded
rock formations in the gorge. The rain started just as we
got back to the town, so we ducked into Zermatlantis, the
Matterhorn Museum, which presents the history of the
village of Zermatt and of climbing the Matterhorn.
5
The sun returned Wednesday morning as we started
an ambitious drive through the Upper Valais, up and
back down the Furka pass, 2,432m elevation, and then The Rhone river got smaller and
wilder, and the road steeper and
more sinuous, as we climbed the
valley
3: Arthur, Aletsch
glacier. over the Grimsel pass, 2,165m elevation. The Rhone
river got smaller and wilder, and the road steeper and
4: Rhone Glacier
toe. more sinuous, as we climbed the valley. At Gletsch
we ignored the road up the Grimsel for the moment,
5: Rhone Glacier
parking lot.
and carried on slowly up the Furka. Top speed on the
straights was 40km/h, but we lost precious momentum
at each hairpin bend. The reward for our effort was
the Rhone glacier. Leaving the van to cool down in the
parking lot at 2,271m, we bought our tickets and after a
walk of only a few minutes entered the 100-metre long
ice tunnel and ice chamber that is newly cut into the toe
of the Rhone glacier every year. The ice tunnel is blue
from the sunlight filtering down through the glacier.
Emerging back into daylight and relative warmth, we
drove much faster back down to Gletsch, trying to be
sparing with the brakes, where we had a picnic lunch
before tackling the Grimsel, which is shorter and lower,
but steeper than the Furka.
TRAVEL
TRAVEL
SWITZERLAND
5
The climb up the Grimsel was a bit of a slog, with
6: Chateau d’Oex.
The “Meeting international
a top speed of 30km/h, but it was a quiet day so not 7: Gletsch rest
much traffic built up behind us, and the views from
stop. de VW de Chateau d’Oex”,
the summit made it worthwhile. As we were walking
to a viewpoint we saw a blue and white Splitty coming
8: Grimsel
Pass and Furka which is held on the last
through the pass from the Bernese side. After giving
Pass roads.
weekend of August every
it a hearty wave we watched it wind down through the
series of hairpins to Gletsch far below. After seeing the two years, and is open
dam just the other side of the summit and visiting an to all air-cooled VWs and
exhibition on the Grimsel’s hydroelectric installations,
we wound our way down through the Bernese Oberland T3 buses
to the Camping Balmweid in Meiringen. Once we had
selected a shady site under big trees and pitched the
tent (the boys prefer sleeping in the tent to the van –
they don’t hurt their heads if they sit up quickly), we
headed into town for groceries.
7 8
TRAVEL
9 10
9: Brig
Meiringen is home to the Reichenbach Falls of Stockalperschloss.
Sherlock Holmes/Moriarty fame, but we’d seen the
10: Chateau
falls on a previous occasion, so on the Thursday we d’Oex Meeting
took a series of cable cars from the edge of town up international VW.
the Hasliberg, a mountain that folklore populates with 11: Henry, Arthur,
dwarves. Books of tales about Muggestutz, the eldest Heather, Grant,
dwarf, have been written for children, and two hiking toe of Rhone
Glacier.
trails have been developed that feature activities for
children based on adventures in these books. We met lots 12: Muggestutz
hike cows.
of excited children along the 5km trail, all much too busy
seeking out the next dwarf activity station to complain
about the trail being too long. Coming back down in the
cable car, the boys had a competition to see who could
first see our van in the parking lot below. Given the VW
van’s distinctive shape they spotted it from a long way up
whilst other vehicles were still anonymous blobs.
Our destination on Friday was the “Meeting
international de VW de Chateau d’Oex”, which is held
11
by the Lemania Cox club on the last weekend of August
every two years, and is open to all air-cooled VWs and

T3 buses built up until 1992. After skirting the Brienzer
See and Thuner See we headed up the scenic Simmental
valley, to climb the Jaun pass. Although the summit
is only at 1,509m, the road was narrow and steep, with
cows watching us swing through the tight hairpin bends.
We were glad to stretch our legs for a walk through the
meadows at the summit. Descending the other side we
toured the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc (the tasting
room was much appreciated by the boys), and sped below
the Gruyeres castle to Chateau d’Oex.
The Meeting (what an original French word) takes
place in several fields on the edge of the village of
Chateau d’Oex, surrounded by the Alps. A community
hall between the fields provides for the indoor activities
and the bar, food stalls, an auto-jumble, and vendors of
12
VW paraphernalia surround the hall. Free hot showers
TRAVEL
TRAVEL
SWITZERLAND
13 14
are to be had a short walk up the hill in the village sports

hall. For those who don’t want to camp in or beside
their VWs, there are several hotels and chambres d’hôtes
in the village.
I was up early Saturday morning to do my part as a
club member, selling entry passes to a steady stream of
incoming VWs. All told, attendance over the weekend
was 1,389 VWs, mostly from Western Europe, a few from
the UK, one from Malta, and one that had travelled by
16
13: Chateau
d’Oex Meeting boat all the way from Australia for a European tour.
international VW Once my duty done, it was time to scour the auto-jumble
15 interloper.
to find a replacement door window winder. The eagle
14: Arthur, eyes of my 8 year old son soon spotted what I needed
Heather, Henry,
Rhone Glacier ice
in a pile of window bits, and we quickly installed it.
tunnel. After an afternoon hike, we enjoyed the evening’s live
entertainment of rock’n roll bands, an acrobatic rock’n
15: Valais
Blacknose sheep. roll dance display, and a disco.
Sunday morning we were woken up by the sound of
16: Jaun Pass
summit. hot gas burners and, getting out of the camper, watched
Chateau d’Oex’s hot air balloon rising majestically from
17: Chateau
d’Oex Meeting the end of the field. Chateau d’Oex hosts a hot air balloon
international VW festival on the same fields every January and has its own
hot air balloon.
promotional hot air balloon. After breakfast it was time
to strike camp, say goodbye to the neighbours and head
to Geneva. There were VWs from the Meeting driving in
all directions, some purposefully heading home like us,
others just cruising the countryside, so I spent the first
hour of the trip mostly driving one-handed and waving—
not the easiest thing to do on a windy mountain road!
Of interest to readers may be the video made of the VW

meeting in Chateau d’Oex, featuring VWs in beautiful Alpine
scenery, which can be downloaded from: http://www.
coccinelle.ch/club/galerie/videos/19e-meeting-international-
17 vw-chateau-doex/
TRAVEL
1990 HOLDSWORTH CAMPER
Purple
haze
“Purple Haze all in my brain, lately things
don’t seem the same, actin’ funny but I don’t
know why, ‘scuse me while I kiss the sky”
WORDS: DAVID ECCLES PHOTOGRAPHY: SIMON COOKE
Custom made
A
s an avid Jimi Hendrix purple glitter cab wardrobe into a cupboard to house
fan, and a lover of all mats. the zig unit and fuse box.
things purple, there The bumpers
A previous owner had fitted Saab
was only one possible have been finished front seats (with a swivel base for
route for Annya Stephens-Boal in Pastel White to the passenger side), 18” BBS RXII
tie the two tone
to take when she acquired her theme together replica alloys with low profile tyres,
longed for VW Camper back in whilst the front Bilstein shocks and springs and had
grills are metallic
2012. Richard Holdsworth’s VW silver to match the overhauled the engine top end as
conversions took many awards in wheels. well as basically keeping it running
the late 80s, and this one was called sweet and in good mechanical
the Villa HT, based on a 1.9 DG order. There was no rot, no welding
wasserboxer factory VW High Roof needing doing and some minor
model. Built in 1990 and finished bodywork issues were able to be
in Pastel White it still has all the quickly sorted and Annya says, “She
original Holdsworth interior, with was a tidy bus, drove well and had
light ash cabinet work sporting clearly been taken care of by her
hand finished beech trim, seat then owner. There was not much
cushion upholstery, zig unit, water history or paperwork but lots of
tank gauge, 3 way fridge, under refurbishment had been done and
slung water tank; in fact the only basically I liked her and so a deal
change has been to convert the was done!”

Built in 1990 and finished in Pastel White it The Holdsworth

Villa HT was based
still has all the original Holdsworth interior on a factory high

roof panel van.
The rear
After a full service Annya (with fine, so a new oil pressure light was wardrobe has been
modified to fit in a
help from her husband) set about mounted on the dash and the dash microwave oven
adding her own touches with front module simply bypassed! and house the zig
unit and fuse box.
and rear mudflaps, front fog lights, In 2014 however Annya decided
replacement Fiamma roof vent, to go for a new look, something a
towbar and convex mirrors and a bit different from the usual “white
Flower Power buddy box seat to bus.” Minor bodywork repairs done,
store a porta potti. In the four years the bus was prepped and the top
she has owned it very little has gone half repainted in the original Pastel
wrong or has needed to be replaced. White. Renault Violet was chosen
New front brake callipers and rear for the bottom half as purple shades
brake cylinders have been fitted are Annya’s favourite colour palette,
as has a new alternator and front and given her love of Jimi Hendrix
headlight. The biggest headache was the bus immediately had to be
the so called buzzer of doom (Oil christened Purple Haze! To mark
pressure sensors). After replacing her Hendrix obsession she had a
the sensors the buzzer kept vinyl graphic made up of Jimi’s
sounding despite oil pressure being head (in keeping with original

Light ash
cabinet work psychedelic artwork of the late 60s) finished in Pastel White to tie the
features hand along with the famous quotation two tone theme together whilst the
finished beech
trim.
often attributed to him, “When front grills are metallic silver to
the power of love overcomes the match the wheels.
Purple Haze— love of power, the world will know To develop the colour theme
what else would
you call a Hendrix peace.” A message as relevant now Annya custom made a set of
inspired purple bus? as it was back in the sixties. (Annya curtains which she then dyed to
is currently planning to replace match and added some custom
the vinyl graphics with airbrushed made purple glitter carpets on top
versions). The bumpers have been of new black and white check floor
Given her love of Jimi Hendrix and the new purple

paintwork, the bus immediately had to be christened
Purple Haze


Top 18” BBS RXII replica alloys with low profile tyres.
Upper middle Original Holdsworth conversion plate.
Lower middle The Hendrix graphic is based
on an original 60s psychedelia design.
Bottom The 1.9 DG wasserboxer engine is still performing well.

In the four years she has owned it very
little has gone wrong or has needed to
be replaced
covering. She also had new grey recover the rock and roll bed and
headlining installed, and had some reface the rest of the cupboard
custom made fronts made for the units and have the Pierburg carb
cupboards in the high top. refurbished. She adds, “For me
Other jobs done recently include owning a VW camper is all about
fitting a complete stainless steel grin factor. It may have no power
Custom tail
light cluster.
exhaust, and a complete waxoyling assistance and an ‘interesting’
for underbody protection. As well dogleg gearbox, but the minute I get
The kitchen
essentials. as having the Hendrix graphics in and start that engine I just smile
airbrushed Annya also plans to all the way.”
New custom
made fronts for
the cupboards in
HOLDSWORTH CONVERSIONS
the high top.
Richard Holdsworth Conversions
Saab front seats initially started out by converting
make for comfy new and used Bay Window Campers
travelling. in 1968 and by 1972 had moved
to bigger premises converting 300
The Hendrix units (VW and non VW) per day!
quotation is his Conversions featured hand built
own spin on words
quality wood furniture and exclusive
by Gladstone 100
Scandinavian wave fabrics. The T3
years earlier and
and T4 Holdsworth conversions set
the message is as
relevant today as
new industry standards in in luxury
and appointment and the T3 Villa and
then.
Vision models won Motor Caravan With thanks to...
of the Year Awards in 1985, 1988
and 1989. In 1995 the company
went into receivership and though
Steve ‘Woody’ Woodfin – a great friend who
relaunched as Cockburn Holdsworth,
fitted my tow bar for a homemade curry and
never recovered. Richard and his
some beer – top man!
wife Heather were initially retained Robert ‘2Bobs’ Davies for all his Dub
as design consultants and Richard encouragement
subsequently went on to work Gail Wayman for going above and beyond
with Auto Sleeper, developing their the call of duty driving miles out her way
Coachbuilt T4 range. to deliver a carburettor for the Haze – top
woman

SHOWS
DUBFREEZE 2016
Brrrrrr
It’s freeze time!
Dubfreeze started way back in the early nineties and is still going strong
today. Over the last few years the option to camp over has been added
so now it’s not only the first big UK show/parts fair and auto jumble of
the season but also the first chance to get your camping gear out
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE RUTHERFORD
F
or those mad enough to
camp it was only £5 for the
night. On site there was a bar
and food vans, and ample
facilities with showers available
too. It was cold, wet and windy
but that wasn’t going to stop those
desperate to get out and camp in
their vans. Around 1000 campers
took advantage of this.
Dubfreeze is held at the Bingley
Hall, Stafford, and this year it was
the weekend of the 20th and 21st
February with the main show being
on the Sunday. Entrance to the show
is still £12 which is not a bad price
when you consider what’s on offer all
under one roof.
The show and shine hall was
bustling from the start as owners
raced to get their pride and joys
looking their best after the journey
to the event on the winter roads.
1: 1000 buses
Serious cleaning was required. real nice T3 Atlantic conversion camped over the your hands dirty. You never know
There’s always a good mix of air- in exceptional condition and a night before. what you might find. The bargains
cooled and water-cooled vehicles pretty little baby blue and cream 2: Bargain Hunt. were out there but also some very
being displayed in the show and splitscreen camper named Shelley highly priced items.
3: Take the Lead
shine hall, But never enough buses in Anne, and not to forget the custom Challenge.
We noticed some really nice
my opinion which is a shame, maybe paint T4 in the far corner. vintage coolers on offer this
that’s due to the space available. It’s a great show for hunting down 4: Vintage coolers— year, and lots of Americana and
perfect accessories.
The small number of buses on used parts and accessories, and the collectables to accessorise your bus.
display in the show n shine hall auto jumble hall was packed solid 5: Great looking There were nearly 300 trade stands
2 1964 Porsche 356.
included a T5 Harlequin which with visitors throughout the day on in the main hall with practically
certainly caught your eye with its the search for that much needed 6: Harlequin T5. everything you could possibly need
multi coloured panels. Two very item for their dub. It was hard work 7: Bling your bus! for your VW and all under one
clean no nonsense early bays proved making your way round the stalls. roof. Not just UK traders but many
that there is no need to add tons But worth it for a chance to have a European traders make the trip to
of extras to look good, just a nice good rummage through all the boxes trade at the event. A good chance
set of rims and mild lowering. A of parts, just don’t be afraid to get to get all those parts you were
needing for your project along with
There were nearly 300 trade stands in the main great advice and saving yourself the
hall with practically everything you could possibly postage cost.

You could even take the challenge
need for your VW and all under one roof ‘Take the Lead” with Fuzz
SHOWS
1
2 3
7
SHOWS
8 9
10 11
12
SHOWS
DUBFREEZE 2016
8: The joy of events

Townshend the drummer and star of like this is finding
Car SOS. See how quickly you could what you need at a
good price.
fit your HT leads and in the correct
order on a T1 engine. For some 9: For Sale area
had something for
reason the ladies seemed to be very everyone.
interested in this.
There were even more cars and 10: Prepping your
vehicle for the show
buses on display throughout the n shine is serious
main hall on trade stands, and the stuff!
VWOCGB had a number of vehicles 11: Originals are

on show too up on the balcony. better than repros
even when in need
The kids were kept amused with of refurbishment.
the radio control cars in the small
12: No need to
entertainment area. add tons of extras
As always it’s well worth braving to look good, just a
the cold wind and taking a walk nice set of rims and
mild lowering. 13
outside around the show ground
and checking out the club displays 13: I wanted to take
and all the other VWs that have
this home!
It was cold, wet and windy but that
made the trip. We spotted some real
gems, a great looking 1964 Porsche
wasn’t going to stop those desperate to
356, most owners would have kept get out and camp in their vans. Around
this one wrapped up in hibernation
for a while longer. I also spotted
1000 campers took advantage of this
an early 60s dove blue splitscreen
pick-up outside, this was a real new old VW then you were in luck Dubfreeze is a must go to event,
survivor truck, maybe it had served as outside the Dubfreeze vehicles for and every year, rain, sleet, wind
its days working at a pillow factory Sale area was packed with vehicles or snow doesn’t stop us getting
as was in surprisingly good shape. It of all types. Buyers were spoilt for our Dubs out and heading for this
had awesome patina with a dash of choice with a number of air-cooled show. It’s always worth the trip and
rustina. Given the chance I would projects on offer right up to very enthusiasts come from far and wide.
have taken this one home for sure. comfortable campers. Lots of T5 Whether you are dropping off or
Even a T5 in beige and the colour aftermarket camping conversions up picking up parts or on the hunt for
scheme actually worked well, the for sale. A very nice T3 Holdsworth trinkets and ideas, it’s a great day
lowered stance and big rims setting Villa 3 conversion, a number of early out and can really help build the
it of nicely. bays, and splitscreen buses on offer, enthusiasm for your build.
If you were on the look out for a some affordable, others not so. See you again next year.
SHOWS
LIFESTYLE
BUYER’S GUIDE
Thinking of a Camper...
what’s for you?
Eagerly sought-after first purchase or seasoned owner contemplating a
change, playing the VW Camper Generation Game for all it is worth can’t do
anyone any harm. The VW Camper Buyer’s Guide helps you decide…
WORDS: RICHARD COPPING
Right:
VW Camper
Buyers’ Guide
Far Right:
A good solid
second-
generation (Bay)
is probably the
best of the bunch
for budding
card-carrying
members of the
VW community.
A
fter a couple of summers your scene, or keeping a Camper retro appeal nor modern good looks.
of dedicated research into slumbering under covers is for you, That leaves a T5 and probably,
the pluses and minuses or even simply selling on at an even for the moment at least, the only
of buying a Camper, a greater price is your passion, such issue is depreciation – a word not
‘boys’ trip to Techo-Classica in vehicles will be of only passing recognised by many a Camper
Essen, Germany last year served to interest. Okay, so you want a Camper stalwart.
reinforce the skyscraper values of to camp in, to use, to join in the fun Below: All of this begs another question:
Third-generation
older VW Campers – with a mind- atmosphere of the VW scene. campers are
are you after originality or
boggling £92K for a ’61 Samba being You could opt for a Split (not 100% perhaps to use personality? If it’s the former, the
rather than cosset,
the highest asking price seen. Now practical though, or is it?), a Bay but prices are later the model, the more you are
that’s just plain silly ... or is it? (how many are insulted by the term rising. likely to find it and then it’s up to
The pivotal question has to ‘classic compromise’?), or suddenly
be what do you want out of a much later models come into their
Camper? If the answer is a cosseted own. How about a T4, 2.5TDI, circa
investment, then perhaps a pristine 1997–2003, long-nose model (the
original, or fully restored, Split or tumble in price from new has long
Bay is the answer ... albeit perhaps since occurred, still pricey compared
not at £92K. Certainly as things to a Ford of similar vintage, but you
stand, you are more likely to make pay for what you get and it has many
money out of buying a Camper than modern creature comforts and isn’t
you will by investing in stocks and bad-looking either). Would you
shares, while squirreling money in buy a T3? Many do and there are
the average deposit account is more still bargains out there waiting to
akin to burning fivers! Of course, the be snapped up! On the other hand,
same might not apply with a T3 or there is the ever-lurking threat of
T4 and definitely won’t with a T5. seam rust and to many decidedly
However, unless Concours is out-of-vogue styling, with neither
BUYER’S GUIDE
Left:
If you can live with
some depreciation
then a T5 will
be comfortable
and thoroughly
modern.
Below:
you whether or not you add your Hardly suitable as
own stamp. However, buying a a Camper but this
1963 Campahome
bespoke (to the previous owner) from Moortown
Camper can’t be that much fun, can Motors is ideal
for collecting
it? To inherit something somebody concours trophies.
had created to suit his or her needs,
their whims, their fantasies – surely
not, or perhaps you do want that – a
ready customised van that takes the
thought process out of the overused
word ‘unique’.
There’s another option, one that
assumes you know what there is
to know about each generation, or
are prepared to read and research
for weeks if not months, before
taking the plunge. Buy a wreck, a
rust bucket or a shell, then make
it roadworthy (an easy phrase to
write but not necessarily so easy to
implement) and create exactly what
you want. It might be you that loves
the work involved in such a project
and when it’s all done loses a degree
of interest, sells and starts again. Or
it might be you that wedges a big
engine into a Splitty, lowers it a little,
gives it a practical modern interior
and an eye-catching paint job.
Suddenly, a Camper built 50 years
ago is a practical proposition for
regular weekend and holiday usage!
This is the point when the
famous phrase ‘to find out more’
inevitably kicks in. Yes, the VW
Left: Popular
among the VW Camper Buyers’ Guide (Behemoth
community and Publishing) took a couple of years
beyond, the T4
makes a practical to compile and encompasses a VW
daily driver. model history lesson; primary usage
Below right: with a rudimentary scoring system
Very few first-
generation
and how much you are going to have
(splitscreen) to spend. Later sections include an
Campers aren’t
worth restoring. outline of the best conversions over
the decades, customising, and of
course, tin worms and oily bits.
BUYER’S GUIDE
CAMPER RESTORATION
WORK, REST AND PLAY
Camper
Restoration
Work, Rest and Play

At last the cold weather seems to have come to an end and the sun
has warmed up the air it must be the start of the show season?
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDYBUGS
I
1. UK arrivals at the
haven’t spent as much time as brewery in Ninove.
I’d like in the workshop this 2. Sunny Sunday
month as the recovery process is show and shine at
much slower than I would like Dub Aid.
and the workshop apprentice is on 3. Time to get into

the party mood at
limited hours. This situation isn’t all Ninove.
bad though as it has freed up some
time for me to visit a few of the early
season shows, the first being Ninove.
With a couple of mates as back up
drivers we took my Split and headed
off to Folkstone to meet up with
more friends. Saturday was a bright
and early start and an uneventful
drive under the channel to meet
up with the cruise that we couldn’t
find, however at the first services
we did meet up a few of the usual
VW suspects in various vehicles
including an assortment of Porsches
and Variants. Just one hour later 2
we were the last van to be parked in
CAMPER RESTORATION
4
4. Bus buffing
the front of the brewery and ready in a bar.
to partake in a few samples of the 5. Rodents’ nests,
magnificent beer on offer. There and the collection
were a surprising amount of vehicles of various bones
and nut shells filling
from the UK and with the sun the engine bay, had
shining, people sat around chatting to be cleared out.
and soaking up the amazingly calm 6. The tank tray,

bulkhead and
and friendly atmosphere. Saturday
engine bay were
night is party night and after the bone dry and just
organised event meal (one of the covered with a light
coating of surface
best steaks that I have had for a rust from its 50
long time), this was followed by the years in a dry barn.
taking of ‘Gonzos’ bar by I think
every English person there and a
few locals! Sunday is the show day
in Ninove. The hours that the guys 5
spend on organising this meeting
had paid off because it was very

professional and everything went
smoothly and professionally. If you
haven’t been and are thinking about
going, DO IT you will have a great
time with some friendly, welcoming
and genuine like-minded people.
I also fitted in Dub Aid: another very
well organised and worthwhile show
that takes place at Towcester race
track and as the title suggests is to
raise money for charity. It was a little
cold and threatened to rain all day
Saturday but again the atmosphere
was warm and welcoming and the
bands played well. The charity
auction went really well and raised
more than £2500 due to the kind
donations from the VW community.
6 Sunday was a much brighter day
and a little warmer with the day
CAMPER RESTORATION
CAMPER RESTORATION
WORK, REST AND PLAY
7 8
7. The end of the

visitors arriving and the show and chassis needed
shine filling up rapidly. This show to be repaired
where a rear end
puts back the faith in human nature, at some time
people giving up their time to raise had twisted the
bumper mounting.
money to benefit others and seeing
how well these guys did it was an 8. All marked up
ready to cut out the
honour to be there and part of it . panels.
The short amount of time spent
9. To remove
in the workshop with my apprentice the old side it is
has been put to good use with necessary to mark
and cut the side
getting a few simple jobs done. It is without cutting the
difficult to try and show someone inner supports and
reinforcers.
how to do something without being
able to do much of it yourself but the 10. Removing the
side isn’t easy because
Panel Van needed to be moved on. you don’t want to
The first job was to remove the distort the supports or
stretch them where
engine, petrol tank and the rodents’ the original spot 9
nests that were both inside, behind welds are.
I decided to replace the whole side so that we and on top and the collection of
various bones and nut shells filling
would be straight and filler free the engine bay. The tank tray,
bulkhead and engine bay were
bone dry and just covered with a
light coating of surface rust from
its 50 years in a dry barn. The right
rear corner needed replacing and
as expected when the old one was
removed we were left with not a lot
of metal, needing to replace the D
pillar and support panels, battery
tray, valance mount, engine tray,
splash shield and arch repair. Also
the end of the chassis needed to
be repaired where a rear end at
some time had twisted the bumper
mounting resulting in the ingress
of rust.
The van is really solid compared
to the usual 60 year old splits that
I see and I am a little upset about
having to cut off solid Wolfsburg
metal but the arches were cut long
ago and need repairing or replacing.
10 I decided to replace the whole side
so that we would be straight and
CAMPER RESTORATION
filler free saving time in the long
run and having a quality lasting
repair. To remove the old side it is
necessary to mark and cut the side
without cutting the inner supports
and reinforcers. The battery tray
is not fitted until the short side is
ready to fit, so that any adjustment
can be made along the join line of
the two panels. Removing the side
is not easy because you don’t want
to distort the supports or stretch
them where the original spot welds
are, cutting the panel into smaller
sections and rocking the strips pops
the welds without damage. Another
annoying problem is the screws
holding the side load doors on never
want to undo so need to be drilled
out and then re tapped. Always
remembering to fold the seal lip out
of the way before putting a drill bit 11
anywhere near them to avoid those
12 13
11. Cutting the panel

into smaller sections half-moon cut outs in the lip!
and rocking the The race season is just around
strips pops the welds
without damage. the corner and we also needed to do
some bits to the Race Bus to keep it
12. The right rear
corner needed in the running. We need to keep the
replacing. wheels on the ground to utilise the
13. Another power that we have now we have
annoying problem is
a wheelie bar built and ready to fit
the screws holding
the side load doors we may have the problem cured. We
on never want to also need to up gear the bus a little
undo so need to be
drilled out and then to give us a bit more time between
re tapped. gear changes, the tyres have been
14. The wheelie bar changed from a 45 to 50 profile in
for the Race Bus is order to give us an 8% gear increase,
14 ready to fit.
and a few more bits and pieces.
CAMPER RESTORATION
O
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1963 MOORTOWN CAMPAHOME
White rose
campahome
Few, if any, 53-year-old Kombis are so well
preserved and original. Add a rare as rare interior
from a long-gone conversion company and
there’s a real tale to tell
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: RICHARD COPPING
Over the back - a

here we were, two VW Mick Johnstone is the current
T
hinged lid cabinet
enthusiasts of mature loving owner of this treasure built to store crockery.
years on a grand day in Hanover and crafted into a With the side
out, taking a trip Camper in white-rose Yorkshire. doors open, the
Kombi’s Camper
through rural red-rose Lancashire If you see him at the shows he’s interior is revealed.
in a beautiful, rare as hen’s teeth, bound to be deep in conversation,
Not a single clue
Moortown Motors Campahome of for there’s nothing more he likes
to Camper status.
1963 vintage. We were on our way than to talk about his Campahome
to the photo-shoot location you see and give you the guided tour. He’ll
before you, to the accompaniment enter a Concours (and come away
of the air-cooled clatter of no laden with trophies, Camperjam,
more than 34 horses. This was the Tatton Park and Harewood being
life, sliding cab windows open, highlights in 2015), but that’s only
sun streaming in and memories because he knows he can share
of a different and less frantic age, the Campahome all the better
ambling along the country lanes with you from the hub of the
up hill and down dale. Oh, and show-field. His story, combining
the heads we turned, my oh my! model specification and vehicle
A pound a wave and millionaire history is enticingly complete and
status beckoned. enduringly fascinating.

His curiosity revealed a glimpse of the
Campahome through a gap in the door
of one of the other units
The early 1960s Campahome was cabinetmakers at Bamforth’s of East
Leeds based Moortown Motors, Heslerton, near Malton, in what
well-known VW distributors of would then have been, the North
the time, final attempt at a budget Riding of Yorkshire.
model. They had been in the The Camperhome conversion
Camper business since 1958 as far could be specified on either a Kombi
as Volkswagens were concerned or a Micro Bus and if the former,
and, going by brochure output if as is the case with Mick’s, would
nothing else, had concentrated on have cost £795 in 1963, or £25
what we might term today as the less than Devon’s budget model,
De Luxe market, latterly referring and the equivalent of 10 months
to such models as ‘Autohomes’. wages for the average man at the
Their Campers were particularly time. Moortown’s specification,
well designed and the interiors as itemised in their brochure,
craftsman-built by the skilled encompassed solid ‘polished’ ‘Jap

Light Grey
oak’ fittings, ‘excellent locker and their less expensive option, which panels suit the
stowage space’, an ‘open wardrobe in reality meant fewer fittings to Campahome’s
budget model
with fitted hanging rail’, a ‘dinette restrict the movement of the happy status.
table’, ‘a cabinet with a hinged camper. The large dinette table
lid’ and ‘fitted compartments for with, at first glance, inordinately A large and
the stowage of crockery’, plus a long legs, could fill sufficient of this seemingly long-
legged table could
‘compact cooker unit’, which was ballroom-type floor space to make be used both out
‘completely concealed when not in it suitable for four people to use in and inside.
use’. ‘When touring, comfortable comfort, while when not in use, it
seating ... for up to seven passengers’ ‘stows away in the curvature of the
was on offer, while ‘spacious roof panel at the rear.’
lockers behind the dinette seats’, The beauty of Mick’s survivor is
a ‘luxurious double berth for two in its completeness and stunning
adults’, ‘deep foam rubber cushions’, condition. The original owner was
a ‘lino tiled floor’ and ‘curtains to a Mr Galinski, who had wanted a
all the windows’ which ‘ensure suitable vehicle in which to travel
complete privacy’, contributed to to his native Poland for an annual
a budget model that Moortown holiday. Having clocked up a measly
variously summarised as ‘luxurious’, 50,000 miles over a period of 30
‘comfortable’ and ‘excellent’. years, Mr Galinski simply stored the
Perhaps the real key to the Campahome in one of the lock-up
specification came with Moortown’s garages he owned, occasionally
declaration of ‘a considerable area charging the battery and cleaning
of unobstructed floor space’, a tactic the plugs. In its dry and airy home,
also employed by Devon to describe the Campahome slumbered,

Hand polished,
The beauty of Mick’s survivor is in its
solid ‘Jap oak’
craftsman
completeness and stunning condition
constructed fittings
and spacious
floor area. deteriorating not a jot. couldn’t resist the temptation of
Fifteen years later, new to Devon offering Mr Galinski a decent sum
Your luxury bed
- Mick has camped resident and sign-writer Terry for the Campahome, an amount that
in the Campahome Smith rented a garage from the by was haughtily rejected.
once in what he
describes as a never now 80 year old Mr Galinski. His Mr Galinski’s eventual realisation
to be repeated curiosity revealed a glimpse of the that he was unlikely ever to drive
exercise.
Campahome through a gap in the the Campahome again and his
door of one of the other units. After recognition that for it to continue
a little persuasion, the landlord to lay dormant wouldn’t do it any
agreed to search for a small, rusty good, persuaded him to sell after
key that would satisfy Terry’s all. The asking price included a
curiosity. Already a classic vehicle rent-free period for the use of the
enthusiast, with a 1949 Fordson garage in which it had been stored,
5cwt van in his ownership, Terry allowing Terry to work on it where


Perhaps the greatest triumph was the

removal of the tired and worn looking
covers on the Moortown cushions,
revealing the immaculately preserved
original material beneath
Top Where the Camperhome slumbered for many a year.

Upper middle Original Moortown Motors transfer on the tailgate.
Lower middle Moortown Motors attached this little metal
plaque to all the Volkswagens that passed through their hands.
Bottom The “compact” cooker – simple but does its job.

Pre August ‘63
tailgate suits the
make-up of the
rest of the vehicle.
Accentuating
the Kombi’s classic
swage line and split
screen personality.
The Kombi’s
bare metal roof
panel was clad by
Moortown to create
that certain air of
luxury.
The cooker’s
cabinet in ready to
travel mode.
scraped nor dented, appeared tired preserving the original Moortown

and to a degree that no amount logo transfer on the rear by carefully
of cutting and polishing would masking it and cutting the new paint
remedy. Reluctantly, he decided into the old. Perhaps Steve’s greatest
that there was little option but to triumph was the removal of the
activate the spray gun and, either tired and worn looking covers on
paint a full panel, or feather in the Moortown cushions, a move that
some of the original shade of Light revealed the immaculately preserved
Grey, L345. His sensitivity to its original material beneath.
originality led him, for example, to With Steve’s work completed,
resist any temptation to remove any the Campahome soon found a new
of the original rubber seals, while and permanent home in the hands
of Mick Johnstone, at the time best
it had lain for so many years. known for his 15 years of ownership
Recruiting the services of his of a 1973 Beetle Cabrio. Mick had
engineer brother, work began. As spent much of his childhood in
both the brakes and the clutch were Berlin with his grandparents and like
seized, it was decided to remove the many little boys, had watched the
engine in situ, the extra room at the antics of Transporters in Fire, Police
rear of the vehicle this made in the and Ambulance guises, dreaming of
rather cramped working conditions the days when he would drive one of
of the garage proving helpful with these vehicles. For him, the dream
access to the brakes. The engine was had finally come true.
stripped and flushed out before the As for the Campahome’s future,
piston rings, big-end bearings, oil it seems assured. Between outings,
pump and cam followers, plus all the it slumbers in a purpose-built,
seals and gaskets were replaced. clinically clean garage, lovingly
Terry’s appreciation of the maintained and meticulously
Campahome’s rust-free condition clean. That is, of course, unless an
and originality grew enormously over enthusiastic writer makes a
as he worked. Essentially, he was midnight raid!
conserving rather than restoring the
vehicle, although despite this, he
eventually decided that his Fordson
was his first love and in June 2009
put the Volkswagen up for sale.
The new owner was that well-
known lover of originality, Steve
Nolan of Wolfsburg VW. He set With thanks to…
about the task of making the
Campahome look even more like
it would have done when brand Steve Nolan Wolfsburg VW
new. Perhaps inevitably one or two Wife Ann for ‘putting up with me’ and
of the panels, although neither granddaughter Holly for her devotion

Behind the scenes
Colourworx
Tak
The Colourworx Accident Repair Centre in Newquay has closer le a
ook!
been restoring new, old, classic and modern vehicles for
many years, specialising in accident repair and refinishing
WORDS: DAVID ECCLES PHOTOGRAPHY: RICK DAV Y
ick Quince and his
N team at the Colourworx

(Craig McDonald and
Brad Sturbridge) have
almost 40 years’ experience in the
car body repair sector between them
and the passion they share in their
work can be seen in the vehicles
restored under the Colourworx
name. After moving to Cornwall in
2005 to set up a guest house, Nick
really missed his past life working
on cars, so in 2007 set up The
Colourworx; since then the business
has established a reputation for
high quality work, accident repairs
that return a vehicle to as new and a
high level of customer satisfaction.
The main focus of the business is
general repairs, insurance work,
respraying and accident repairs
including wheel and scratch and
chip repairs but they also do colour
coding, spoiler painting/fitting and Using modern water-based paint technology from
even restorations.
As an environmentally brand leaders Lesonal and Octoral, Colourworx are
conscious company, the paint
shop incorporates the latest
so confident in their repair work that they guarantee
environmentally friendly extraction their paintwork for up to two years
system which neutralises the paint
fumes before it is released back
into the air. They use the latest
finishing equipment, including a
Stat Gun, which is the ideal tool
for providing static control over
our paintwork, which demands
flexibility and precision. Dirt and
dust contamination that can blight
product finish on vehicles is easily
removed using the ionising gun. The
static-free, cleaned surface prevents
re-attraction of the dispersed debris,
ensuring the best finish possible.
With two in-house mixing
schemes using modern water-based
paint technology from Lesonal and
Octoral (two of the brand leaders in
1 modern car refinishing),Colourworx
are so confident in their repair work
BEHIND THE SCENES

2
1. This Bay has just

3
that they guarantee their paintwork come back for some
for up to 2 years (not including rust touch up of winter
storage marks.
repairs). Paint is mixed to your exact previously, in for touching up of As can be seen in the photos
colour, like when they matched 2. A newly arrived T5 some winter storage marks and a the premises are spotless and
insurance job being
perfectly a 1956 only available hue stripped prior to T5 insurance job being stripped the addition of various vintage
on a ’56 Oval race car for Matt repair and repaint. ready for repair and repaint that accessories, signs and even an old
Keene, and they can also supply 3. Vintage style had just arrived. Plus they were petrol pump add to the impression
mural adds to look of
matching touch up paint in tins or the premises.
also doing some fining tuning that here is a business that cares
aerosol. As well as accident repairs of their signwritten 1969 1776cc about what they do and prides itself
4. Fine tuning
they also take on restorations and Colourworx’s own turbo’d Beetle! on doing a quality job. They even
Nick says, “we always have some turbo’d Beetle. Nick adds, “We pride ourselves have a coffee shop for customers
kind of project on the go as well as in providing main dealer quality at serving a great selection of freshly
normal work,” and they are also good local garage prices and our primary made hot drinks including barista
at sourcing parts needed for rebuilds. objective is to keep our promise coffees, tea and fruit teas.
When we visited the premises and deliver our work on time. In
there was a lovely baby blue bay, particular where accident repair
which they had restored two years work is concerned we hope to carry
out a repair so that when completed,
it doesn’t look like a repair. A car The Colourworx Ltd, Wesley Yard,
Newquay TR7 1LB
is the second largest investment in Tel: 01637 873218
most people’s lives and we think www.thecolourworx.co.uk
you deserve to have that investment www.facebook.com/
thecolourworxnewquay
looked after in every way.”
BEHIND THE SCENES

BROTHERS IN ARMS
The UK’s favourite VW Camper magazines are
now available on iPad, iPhone and Android devices
www.volkswagencamper.co.uk www.vwbusmagazine.com
CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON
VW Camper and Commercial and its sibling title, VW Bus T4&5+, are now
available on iPad, iPhone and a mix of Android devices.*
Each app includes a free issue to get you going and if you subscribe
you can save £17.41 on the cover price.**
* To see if your Android device is compatible with the app, download the free issue.
** Price correct at time of publication.

Amber
Camper
Very few Holdsworth Bays have survived, so
when we heard about this lovely restored
example we knew we just had to get it in the
mag to share with you all!
WORDS: DAVID ECCLES PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE MADDISON
Cab seats
B
ut first we need to was a sorry looking T2. The bus had have been fitted
rewind to 2002-3 when been built in November 1972, a few with original style
Mark and Jenny Gibbs months after the introduction of TMI covers.
took a year out and the fully restyled “Late Bay” (T2b). Amber, instead
travelled the world, including three It was originally a 1700cc Pastel of VW Brilliant
Orange, over
months down under driving from White Panel Van, which had been Pastel White
Byron Bay to Cape Tribulation in a converted by Richard Holdsworth provides a subtle
custom twist.
lovely hand painted blue early bay Conversions as a budget model
which they bought for AU$700 “Layout 1”, without the elevating The original
headlining is
(roughly £300 at the time). Mark roof option, designed basically for
still in excellent
recalls, “Ever since we returned two people. condition.
from that trip we knew that we The whole bottom 6” needed
needed another camper as we replacing but, surprisingly, the The stance has
wanted to explore our own country chassis was solid apart from the been achieved by
using some weld
as we had in Australia.” rear chassis leg extremities. The bus in adjusters and by
In 2005 Mark accompanied a been sprayed graffiti style with “VW dropping the rear
one spline.
friend to a local spray shop where Shak”, the engine didn’t run and
he was having his Mk1 GTI painted, was a 1600CT out of a T25 so there
and there in the back of the garage wasn’t any tinware to fit this. The

interior however was complete, and

just in need of some TLC – it was
only much later Mark discovered it
was a rare Holdsworth conversion.
He says, “I wasn’t looking for a
camper at the time of the purchase
but it just felt right” and so a deal
was done whereby payment would
be spread over a few months (Mark
and Jenny had just bought a house
and funds were low). When the bus
was delivered next day on a low
loader however, Jenny did wonder
what on earth Mark had gone and
done, expecting something that was
at least driveable!
Mark tells us, “It then took up
residence in our back yard for the
next two years while the resto was
carried out by dad ( a plater by
trade) and me – a huge investment

of time and money but well worth it.” original wardrobe, to the left is a
The chassis needed new outriggers rear facing seat which folds out
and the last 10” of a rear chassis rail to form a small bed (perfect for
which Mark’s dad made up before 1 year old Megan). In the original
work could commence on replacing layout the table would fit down
panels such as the rear valence, beside the small bed and make the
rear corner and sliding door bottom double. However this wasn’t really
and doing couple of small cab door working for them so Mark built a
repairs. Next the front beam was rock n roll bed within the carcass of
out and rebuilt with all new brakes the original rear seat thus keeping
and shocks – even the callipers were the interior looking as original as
rebuilt. At this time the bus was possible and the addition of a cab
lowered slightly using some weld in bunk (for 4 year old Harry) means
adjusters and by dropping the rear the bus now sleeps 2 adults and two
one spline. Mark then spent hours children. To the right of the rear
smoothing and painting the camper bench seat is the original kitchen
in a RAL2000 rustoleum paint (with unit with a new twin burner / grill
a roller) just to get it on the road. All gas cooker. The cupboard below
seals were also replaced at this point. the cooker houses the gas bottle
The engine got them to the MOT and most of the kitchenware. Next
station where it duly passed so a new to the cooker and in the same unit
Mexican Standard 1600 twin port is a stainless sink which Mark’s dad
was fitted along with new alternator, made, which drains out underneath.
carb, exhaust, inlet manifold, The pump tap was missing so a 12v
stainless tailpipe and electronic item has replaced it. Needing more
ignition. The original 1700 gearbox storage space, Mark then made up a
has been retained, which Mark says new side cabinet in the rear, closely
is great for motorway driving due to matched to the original furniture
the different ratio. design. The original roof lining was
The original Holdsworth in good condition so has been left
interior was then fully refurbished. as is whilst the interior panels were
Uninspiringly named Layout 1, recovered in a beige vinyl to recreate
the design was made for sleeping original look. The cushions are still
two (not 4). As you walk through the original foam but the material was
from the cab to the right is the totally threadbare so were recovered
The whole bottom six-inch needed

replacing but, surprisingly, the chassis
was solid apart from the rear chassis
leg extremities
The full length
roof rack was
designed by Mark
and made up at
home by him
and his dad.
New cushion
and curtains
fabrics retain that
retro ’70s feel.
Stainless
hubcaps and GT
whitewall tyres
provide finishing
touches.


A Fiamma bike
by Jen and Mark’s mum in a retro rack has been
brown fleck upholstery. Likewise the fitted on the
curtains were too frayed to save, so tailgate.
some orange plaid versions have been Mark made the

fitted. The Holdsworth louvre side new side cabinet
for the rear, closely
window and Hella sliding interior matched to the
light are still the originals however. original furniture
design.
To bring the camper up to date a
leisure battery with inverter has A wardrobe is
sited behind the
been added.
passenger seat.
The dash was removed and painted
to match the original black colour
and a new black steering wheel,
black cab mat and under-seat mats
along with new rubber steps brought
a fresh look to the cab area. The
original seats have been treated to
new TMI period correct covers, with
Top A Raleigh Autovilla Awning is the perfect period accessory.
Middle Original sliding Hella light, fitted by lumbar support for the driver’s seat.
Holdsworth above the side windows. Finally the bus was painted
Bottom The Louvre window is also an original Holdsworth
fitment. professionally in Amber (L20E)
over Pastel White, which along with

The interior however was complete,
and just in need of some TLC – it was
only much later Mark discovered it was
a rare Holdsworth conversion
stainless hubcaps and GT whitewall With thanks to...
tyres has totally transformed the
look. The full length roof rack was
designed by Mark and made up at
home by him and his dad, and the
addition of a Fiamma bike rack on
the tailgate and a Raleigh Autovilla
Awning and means the family can
take everything they need on holidays
to France. They also love day trips
out to favourite Northumberland
Coastal beaches “where we can
relax by the sea with home comforts
Michael Taylor for letting us pay over a few
at hand.” months and convincing us to buy it, Dad for
Mark concludes by saying “My helping with pretty much everything, Jen for
keeping positive and mum for the interior
grandparents had a split screen back handiwork.
in the 60’s so I guess VW campers Everyone from the original Durham Dubbers
for the help, advice and support through
are in my genes, but it was the three the rebuild and all our friends in the VW
months living in one in Australia community.
Thanks too to Steve Maddison (Dubenhams.
which got us both hooked. We may
com) for convincing me that my bus was
well outgrow the Holdsworth, but for special enough for a magazine feature and for
now it does everything we want.” taking the pictures.

THE NEXT ISSUE OF
IS ON SALE 25 MAY
Bus Trader
VW campervan classified adverts
VW VILLA 3 HOLDSWORTH VW TRANSPORTER T5 VW TRANSPORTER T5 VW TRANSPORTER T4 CAMPER

AUTO TRENDLINE FACELIFT-PRI VAN!!
DEVON MOONRAKER
£8,250 1991 75846 £20,000 2013 31000 £17,495 52000 REDHILL £7,495 1999 151000
SOUTH WALES KENDAL 07972882390 07967442646 WIGAN 07472184740
07748863379 jonathanwhite91@hotmail.co.uk tomrharrison@blueyonder.co.uk scampbell85@hotmail.co.uk
carolmskelton@btinternet.com VW Transporter T5 Trendline 2.0tdi Registered 16-11-2012 – Just had VW TRANSPORTER T4 LONG WHEEL
In very good condition for age,very 102bhp 31000 miles (will go up) first MOT – Next MOT due Jan 2017 BASED, 1.9TD 151K MILES FOR
rare automatic power steering, 2.1 Sportline alloys, Side bars, Fully - PRICED REDUCED AS REQUIRE LOTS MORE PICS PLEASE VISIT THE
fuel injection,permanent high- carpeted and insulated with black QUICK SALE 6 seater with black roof FOLLOWING LINK!! http://s1306.
top,current MOT.It is on SORN at and white cheque vinyl flooring, RIB Customized Decals designed by photobucket.com/user/S14WNO/
the moment being under a Just Altair custom leather 3 seat rock and owner but can easily be removed Fully slideshow Van has a totally unique
Kampers cover for winter.Original roll bed with isofix, Van-x curtains, custom interior installed within the last new conversion built by myself,
paintwork and interior,no rust,good Bluetooth, Cruise control, Rear 12 months including – Email for full Perfect for a family of 4 and a baby.
tyres,new exhoust,rock n roll parking sensors. Please ask if you description see images on photobucket. lots of
bed,fridge/freeze,hob,grill,Cobra have any question receipts and history. genuine reason
alarm,Khyam driveaway awning,all for reluctant sale!
manuals,lots history VW T4 CAMPER
VW SPLITSCREEN 1966
VW T4 CARAVELLE
2009 RHD BRAZILIAN BAY
DEVON MOONRAKER
£4,000 1996 246000

ASKAM-IN-FURNESS
£28,000 1966 3300 07855521497
£26,995 2009 62000 DUDLEY 07905853438 mseymour869@googlemail.com
WOKING 07909 911479 Witton1@hotmail.com 2.4D 246k miles, MOT September, £4,750 1992 1521126
Danbury Rio with 1.4 Polo engine; VW Splitscreen 1966 fully no advisories.Cam belt & water LEICESTER 07712209624
upgraded brakes; body work in refurbished, now fitted with 1.7 pump changed 2012, new exhaust richy.rich@live.co.uk
excellent condition - no rust; new Isuzu turbo diesel engine. Always 2012, all calipers replaced 2014. Pull Transporter T4 1992 Petrol fitted
tyres; Taxed and MOT 1 year. Interior dry stored bought in september out bed with futon mattress and kitchen unit with gas cooker and sink
includes rock & roll bed, hob/grill/ 2014 with plans to use in summer under bed storage, double burner with 12 volt water supply Drive away
oven, TV/DVD/Freeview Player, fridge, for show vehicle due to work & hob & sink plus storage, leisure awning brand new Trickle charge
Webasto heater, buddy box, radio. personal reasons i havent been able battery with split charger, 240V hook solar panel mounted on VW. Roof
Can provide all contents, bike rack to use the bus as much as planned. up. Audi TT seats, passenger on bars. Roof mounted digital tv 240v
and awning. 5 seat belts - 4 adults or 2 Genuine reason for sale. Serious swivel base. hook up fully insulated and lined
adults & 3 younger children enquires only serious offers. NOT New rear brakes complete. New
STORED AT POSTCODE front shockers. New air idol control
VW T5 KOMBI CAMPER 2.5 valve. New expansion tank
VW T5 CAMPER T30 LWB 2007 BESPOKE
VW TYPE 2 CAMPERVAN
T5 DAYVAN 2005 VW CAMPER
£23,000 2007 82000

£15,000 1973 35000 REDDITCH
DERBY 07446859571 justinthomas192@btinternet.com £12,500 2005 97000
£19,750 2007 80000 paulogara1@gmail.com Metallic Black Custom conversion MERSEYSIDE 07742505333
DORSET 07811356181 973 Type 2 Bay Window campervan. RIB roof 3/4 RIB bed Black leather T4vans@Hotmail.com
Lwb T5 4 Berth Camper With 5 Imported from California in 2010 and trim. Waeco top loading compressor Vw Transporter T5 2005 Swb 1.9
Travelling Seats, Riemo Pop Roof, fully restored by Morecambe and Wise fridge. Smev 9222 sink/cooker. Gas Tdi.with Low Mileage & Full Service
Proffessional Conversion Inc Rib Seat in Lancashire. Excellent condition. Seats cabinet. Discreet 240 hook=up. History,New Custom Interior
Fridge Hob And Sink Electric Hook Up 6 with seat belts all round. Westfalia Eberspacher diesel heating system. With High Gloss Units,Matching
And Liesure Battery, Led Int Lighting. pop top and interior. New tyres and LED lighting Awning with add on Table,Hob/Sink,12V Leisure Battery
Van Fitted With 18In Alloys, Front Fogs, Porsche wheels. Includes TV, Fridge, room. Bike rack. Black out curtains. & Leds Lighting,240V Hook-Up,R&R
Air Con, 40Mm Lowering Springs, New Propex heating and DAB radio. Used Storage drawers. Pendle 220 bhp. Bed & Belts(Mot Compliant) With
Mot End Of March, Service History, regularly for family holidays. Tax exempt. Full service history. Facelift, Big New Upholstery,Load Rated Alloys &
Excellent Condition Mot July. brakes. Tyres,Side Opening Window £12500
BUS TRADER
1999 T4 LHD CALIFORNIA 2.5TDI 2007 (57) T5 SHUTTLE
£8,995 2007 68500

ROWLEY REGIS
£17,000 1999 105000 07973 325408
FALMOUTH derek345@btinternet.com
chynoweth53@yahoo.co.uk 2.5 Tdi with automatic
Westfalia, taking offers Considerable gearbox,Wheelchair access via. rear
service history Bodywork etc in very tailgate with lift.Drive from wheelchair
good condition Central locking, capable or can be stripped out for
Electric Windows Lift-up rear door, camper conversion. Elec windows/
Pop top with bed, fridge, sink, Swivel mirrors, reversing sensors, aircon,
captains seats Original fabric seat factory fitted full length windows with
covers in “cactus” pattern Rock and blinds, twin sliding doors,colour coded
roll bed, Original internal curtains bumpers, full service history. excellent
Kenwood stereo, cabin heater(diesel) condition throughout.
Factory lights,alrm
LATE BAY LHD CREW CAB

EDWARD JOHNSON
£13,995 2004 82500 £15,995 1978

LONDON WOOLACOMBE
02084648965 07972055868
eddie.johnson1@ntlworld.com info@burtsbusemporium.co.uk
T5 2 berth VW interior conversion A lovely fully restored late bay crew
mains hook up fridge two burner cab. Finished in “Beryl Green”, an early
cooker revesable front seat raised roof bug colour complimented with pearl
overhaed storage water container white with an original interior in brown
mains lead awning rail fitted.Good basket weaveIt’s been lowered a little,
To Advertise in
mechanical condition new brake riding on JGE gas burners. The load
pads just fitted new timing belt 12000 bed is finished in Upol Raptor & tinted
miles ago.Seats five.1.9 diesel manual for extra protection. Fully serviced with
transmission . a long mot.
TYPE 25 HI TOP CAMPER VW T5.1 GP 102BHP LWB
Call Karen
£8,500 1989 141
CARMARTHENSHIRE
£14,495 2011
PLYMOUTH
07885816944
91400 01244 886027
01559 389026
coles641@btinternet.com
Underwaterbombgod
@hotmail.co.uk
karen@jazzpublishing.co.uk
Dora a lovely example of a type Lots of work carried out recently
25 a five speed gearbox, 1.6 diesel
engine, lots of new parts, new gear
including fly wheel, clutch drive shaft,
stub shaft ARB links. New rear bumper, or email
linkage, diesel tank, too many to list, new battery, black and white flooring,
refurbished both in and out in 2014, led spot lights, carpet and ply lined,
re spray 2014, comes complete with DAB touch screen pioneer head unit,
camping equipment, thermal blinds, SAT NAV and DVD ready. Twin captain
stand alone awning (new 2014) swivel seats up front.20 inch rims r n r
reluctant sale due to lack of use, 3/4 bed.Really nice clean van.Gunna
always stored undercover. miss her!
The information in this section is provided without warranty of any kind. Anyone is
allowed to list their vehicles for sale on this website and no checks have taken place
by us, you should always take care when buying a vehicle from anyone.
Create a classified ad in volkswagen camper & commercial,

completely FREE OF CHARGE!
Visit: www.volkswagencamper.co.uk/for-sale
and follow the instructions, selling your bus has never been so easy!
Or if you’d like a PREMIUM LISTING,
contact Wendy at:wendy.lennon@jazzpublishing.co.uk.
Dock of the Bay…
Sitting on the
Don’t fail to prepare, or prepare to fail.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE CLEMENTS
With only a cursory tyre and oil check

F
or those that take notice,
at the end of my last
column I made a throw
I took the bus – five people on board,
away comment about just over six hundred miles, three
ignoring my bus all winter and hoping
it would be ok when needed. Little did countries and thankfully, zero issues
Mike Clements is
a long term Bay I know that shortly after I wrote this
window owner, a driver in our planned convoy to the still today. The summer is now just adventure - and that’s much better
www.earlybay.
com administrator,
Ninove ‘Freddyfiles’ show in Belgium around the corner and it’s time to start than the misery of a recovery truck ride
and DIY mechanic. sadly had to cancel, which left me with planning those holidays, road trips and of shame!
“I love setting off the option of squeezing five people into outings that will become you’re own So, if you do pay to get your
in our ’68 Westy
Campmobile for my Karmann Ghia that I’d planned on adventures. Part of that preparation is mechanicals undertaken, maybe take
weekends away taking, or dragging the bus out. The bus ensuring the bus is up to the job and some time to understand the basics,
or on European
road trips… as got the gig. I was faced with a dilemma this includes preparing you’re bus by read some technical forums, such as
long as my wife – it was ok in October last year so why servicing it, or having it serviced if you those on www.earlybay.com, join in
has packed the
kitchen sink.”
would it not be now? Should I just don’t have the time or inclination to with a technical day ‘boot camp’ as
leave it alone and trust it or should I do it yourself. The matter of people organised by www.type2detectives.
give it a thorough service and check working on their VW’s themselves, or com or www.midlandearlybay.com .
to be on the safe side? Well, the blasé, getting professionals to do it for them is Otherwise, why not get involved with
cavalier element of my personality won often discussed and people’s opinions a local club and ask for some help?
over and with only a cursory tyre and vary from considering it fair game, or The SSVC www.ssvc.org.uk is one of
oil check I took the bus – five people some suggesting that DIY mechanics several clubs that run hands on Tech
on board, just over six hundred miles, deserve some sort of moral high Weekends. Those few skills just might
three countries and thankfully, zero ground. Myself? I don’t care a hoot. It save your trip, and what could be more
issues. The bus will now get its pre- takes all sorts and the end result is that satisfying than that?
season service, but for the trip I people should be enjoying their buses.
figured that it wasn’t broken, so didn’t However, I caveat that by suggesting
need fixing. that everyone should make themselves
Now, I don’t encourage ignoring aware of a few basics to get themselves
service schedules, regular maintenance out of trouble. I hear of many holidays
or generally looking after your bus but and road trips going wrong when a
Above: Happy just because it’s old then you shouldn’t quick fix at the side of the road may
Campers’ was the be put off going on your own adventure. just have saved the day, indeed, fixing
theme for 2016
Freddyfiles These engines were designed to a bus by the light of a mobile phone
Right: Pop
run all day every day and if they are on a deserted hillside with zip ties and
those Tops! looked after, they will do this very well gaffer tape will actually create that
SITTING ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY


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PACKED WITH THE BEST VOLKSWAGEN BUSES EVERY MONTH

Volkswagen THE ORIGINAL & BEST VW CAMPER MAGAZINE

May 2016 ISSUE 103 £3.95

THE GUTHRIE WALK DUBFREEZE

The original and best VW bus magazine since 2000 www.volkswagencamper.co.uk

EDITOR PRODUCTION MANAGER ADVERTISING SALES SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES

• Tested and Certified IN VEHICLE

PLEASE MENTION VW CAMPER & COMMERCIAL MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS.

38 20 Setting The Standard

38 Hard Rock Retro Diner

Regulars 84 Brochure Line Also in this issue

29 Camper Mail 66 DubFreeze

44 Behind the Scenes

52 The Barefoot Chef

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

“We could quite clearly see that it wasn’t Tubbed arches

the nut and bolt restoration claimed, 15” solid wheels

but we thought that only some minor and large VW logo

cosmetic work would be needed bring her

up to scratch” Standard 1600

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

All in the detail...

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

reshaped with a curving base to give a over-riders and

1966 CUSTOM KOMBI

Blaze Cut Fire Suppression System

NEWS & PRODUCTS

Bygone Times: The New

And The Winner Is …

NEWS & PRODUCTS

Split Bus Nation, Wachtabeke, Belgium 24–26th June

NEWS & PRODUCTS

1-3 July 2016

For more information call 01244 881895

PLEASE MENTION VW CAMPER & COMMERCIAL MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS.

The pop top

Simon’s aim was to bring the camper

1972 DEVON MOONRAKER

1972 DEVON MOONRAKER

1972 DEVON MOONRAKER

A sink unit was

I have now added a huge pile of receipts

1972 DEVON MOONRAKER

All in the detail...

All the cabinet

Top Original ‘Bernard Wardle’ red curtains have been retained.

1972 DEVON MOONRAKER

1972 DEVON MOONRAKER

Your chance to share a pic, story, a tip or even a grouse!

I see it as a piece of Volkswagen history and it may well be the

Trackers Early start

Raising, cleaning and loading Greasing up the steering and

Greasing the upper arms Blockages

Arlo Guthrie and VW buses

3: Arlo fans from

7: Arlo’s tour bus

10: Dump Closed

11: Dump Divas

13: Arlo dumping

The dash has

All in the detail...

To develop a custom look the bonnet