A guide to VW Split Screen Camper Van (Type 2 T1)

When buying any camper look out for...

• Rust, particularly on the bottom 6 inches all around...
• Rust on chassis box sections
• On front and rear outriggers
• On roof guttering, sills, wheel arches
• On floors in front of the rear wheels
• Behind front seats
• Under cover plates which can hide a horror story of trapped moisture and rust

Be careful of campers with suspension lowered to make them look cool...

• The ride can be harsh
• Visibility is reduced
• You can't crawl underneath to do repairs

Check the engine carefully...

• Oil leaks near the gearbox flange usually mean an 'engine out' job
• In gearboxes listen for bearing whines
• Check all gears work and don't jump out of gear (a floppy gear change is normal)
• Pull and push the bottom pulley wheel: if you feel a loud 'clunk clunk' the engine needs a rebuild. Very small movement is OK

Other things to look out for...

• Inoperative heaters and controls - requiring new heat exchangers,
• Smell of petrol inside the vehicle usually means rubber pipes need replacing
• Tanks can also rust through where they come in contact with more rust
• Steering should be direct with hardly any play. If not check the steering box Get repairs advice from...
• Any experienced VW camper repair shop that's been there for more than 5 years
• Inspect a car they've restored or get a customer reference

Get spare parts from...

• eBay, www.justkampers.co.uk
• Alan Schofield for most body panels.
• VW Motoring magazine for other leads

Prices you can expect to pay for a Split (pre-1967)...

• Totally original and unrestored with MOT £9000 - £25,000
• Restored with MOT £8000 - £20,000 (Watch out for hidden patched over horrors)
• MOT'd but needing work £5000 - £8000
• A 'basket case' £1500 - £2500

Prices you can expect to pay for a Bay (1967 onwards)...

• Totally original and unrestored with MOT £5000 - £15,000
• You can still buy new Bays built in Mexico, vans (c £10000), minibuses (c £13,000) or campers (c £30,000) - see VW Motoring or Volks World for prices
• Restored with MOT £5000 - £15000 (Watch out for hidden patched over horrors)
• MOT'd but needing work £2000 - £6000
• A 'basket case' £1000 - £2000

Reasons why you shouldn't buy one...

• Because it looks cool or restored but you haven't looked underneath and don't want to constantly maintain it
• It has a six volt system when you want reliability, though conversion to 12 volts is easier than people realise see www.nls.net/mp/volks/
• You think it will be fast and/or economical

Split Screen Campervans For Sale  on eBay.co.uk