1979 VW Type 2 Camper Van Conversion Charity Sale

This beautifully presented VW Type 2 Camper Van is the result of three years painstaking restoration work coordinated by Practical Classics Magazine and Lancaster Insurance Services Ltd. All proceeds from its sale will go to Prostate Cancer UK.

Initially, the 1979 former panel van was to be restored in time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the VW Type 2, however, the pandemic got in the way of that aspiration. Instead, a longer and more in-depth restoration including a full engine rebuild emerged. 

Every aspect of the camper has been revived. On initial inspection, the original colour was discovered and a commitment to return it to that colour was made. The respray was completed by CBR Restorations Ltd to an extremely high standard. The interior was retrimmed to the highest standard and colour coded by the experts at Newton Commercial Ltd.

New tyres are courtesy of Vintage Tyres and the engine rebuild was completed by the Practical Classics Team using new components from VW parts specialist, Heritage Parts Ltd, who also supplied other parts for the van. There’s a new floor, new lights, renewed wiring and window seals all round. The restoration complete, the van was then sent around the UK, visiting the best beaches the UK has to offer.

Camper Round the Coast

Practical Classics and Lancaster joined forces to do something really special and that is what has resulted. A beautiful van that has been restored to a very high standard, ready for a proving run that saw it being driven around the coast of the UK for a magazine feature.

Proving run? It probably counts as one of the most ambitious shakedowns in history, but the challenge was too good to resist, plus the Practical Classics and Lancaster Insurance teams had made a promise. Setting off on a 1,600 mile, seven-day trip around the coast of Britain should have been preceded by a month of testing… Nothing like a deadline eh? MoT was achieved just in time.

The run itself was pegged with unmissable waymarks and emotional moments, part of the partners' commitment to Prostate Cancer UK. A week-long fundraising jaunt, every day involving a mighty drive at 56mph ending in a visit to one of the beaches voted for by customers of PC and Lancaster, at which there would be a pop-up classic car show, hosted by the teams… in order to shake the tin and raise money for PCUK.

The van had proved itself, the beaches were visited, and the generosity showed when enthusiasts came to say hello was universally magnificent. Now we need to add to the £1000 raised during the Camper Round the Coast run with a really big hammer price. Over to you.

Our partner heroes;

Paint and bodywork rectification: CBR Classic Restorations cbrclassicrestorations.co.uk

Tunes by: Classic Car Stereo, classiccarstereo.co.uk

Hamper and Champagne by: Classic Lodges Hotels classiclodges.co.uk

Engine rebuild and other components: Heritage Parts Centre, heritagepartscentre.com

Interior retrim by: Newton Commercial, newtoncomm.co.uk

Tyres by: Vintage Tyres vintagetyres.com