1976 Volkswagen Type 2 T2 (Model 261) Single Cab Pick-Up - 600km From New

It is hard to comprehend that Volkswagen’s domination of the light commercial van, and as a by-product, campervan market, started as far back as 1950. The first iteration of the Type 2, known as the T1, was the iconic split-screen version which enjoyed a 17-year production life with over 1,400,000 ultimately built and sold. Such was its popularity worldwide that its various versions spawned a plethora of affectionate nicknames. These included Bus, Barndoor, Kombi, Bullie, Microbus, Split-screen, or Splitty, Samba, 21 Window and 23 Window to name but a few.

After 17-years of world domination, the ‘Splitty’ was showing its age, and so the new Type 2 T2 was introduced. The most obvious change was the replacement of the iconic split windscreens with a modern, single piece, curved item. In line with Volkswagen enthusiasts’ love of a nickname, this soon became known as the ‘Bay Window’ or just, simply ‘Bay.’

The changes were more than glass-deep however, with virtually every panel and mechanical component either new or significantly uprated. The newcomer was bigger and heavier than its predecessor and benefitted from more sophisticated suspension and running gear. This included ball-joint front suspension, rather than king and link pin. Independent rear suspension, also known as IRS, was fitted instead of the reduction boxes and swing arms of the Splitty. The extra bulk necessitated an engine upgrade, too, with the earliest Bays now packing the 1,600cc ‘B’ single-port version of the air-cooled boxer engine with a full 47bhp on tap. By 1974, the T2 had reached its aesthetic zenith with the grooved and squarer bumpers and the indicators set high on the front panel.

The vehicle presented here is a 1976 Volkswagen Type 2 T2 (model 261) Single Cab Pick-up, but quite unlike any other. Remaining to this day as original as is possible, it was manufactured in February 1976, and ordered new for the Greek-market in Neptune Blue paintwork with a Canyon Brown leatherette interior (with a few special M-code additions that the VW geeks will clock straightaway - M156: larger oil bath filter, M616: twin reversing lights, M240: low-compression engine built with dished pistons specially to run on low octane fuel). It hasn’t done much running, mind you - only ever registered for the road in July this year (by our vendor) 'ORR 936P' - with just over 600km covered in 47-years. Little is known of the story as to why or how it came to be so unused and thus so well-preserved, only what can be gleaned from its original accompanying paperwork and ‘birth certificate’ from Volkswagen. To simply marvel over its time-machine abilities or to use as a template for a restoration, there cannot be many, if any, better than this in terms of ‘factory’ original.

Our vendor is something of a classic VW connoisseur, a real UK-authority of these machines, having worked with the brand and its classic models for decades, expertly curating a small collections of choice vehicles and helping many others with theirs. Due to his connections, he got to hear about this ‘one-off’ pick-up and was immediately intrigued, and ended up buying it - it was just so special, even for an expert who’d thought he’d seen it all when it comes to VW T2s! It arrived in the UK and our vendor was able to see for himself the extent of the originality - all commensurate with the super low-mileage to his expert eye - even down to the 1970s fuel in the tank and air in the tyres! It was cleaned through and prepped to run, and it did straight away, with its distinctive sewing machine hum.

Due to its one-off condition, it was selected to feature in Volksworld Camper magazine, the World’s bestselling VW camper publication, with the journalist waxing lyrical about how extraordinary this humble pick-up really is. Stored in such a way as to maintain its condition and used occasionally on our vendor’s farm, up and down his private driveway just to keep things moving and lubricated, this very special T2 is coming to market with the massive reassurance of our vendor’s know-how and insight of just how rare and well-preserved this ‘Bay’ pick-up is, come and behold.