Market View
VW camper van prices remain strong – but values for British alternatives are holding up, too
The market for classic camper vans is still dominated by air-cooled Volkswagens – but prices for British-built alternative offerings are strengthening.
Classic campers aren’t absolute rarities in classic auctions, but good ones – the sort that the buyer could jump into and drive off to the Arctic Circle – might take longer to find. Where VWs are concerned, you’ll only be going home with a Type 2 (T1)-based camper – better-known as Split Screens, or ‘Splitties’ – if you have seriously deep pockets. Those converted in period from ‘Bulli’ vans are the most valuable; given demand, modern day conversions also fetch a pretty penny. A sound, lightly upgraded Type 2 (T1) that JME Healeys imported from the USA, converted to right-hand drive and then had fitted out by McKinnon Campers, found £38,525 at Bonhams’ Goodwood Members’ Meeting on 7 April. Demand is not tailing off for these vehicles – there’s a rabid fanbase while the show season is well underway.
For a more realistic budget, Brightwells’ sale next Wednesday (15 May) includes a UK-market 1975 Type 2 (T2) whose shell and running gear correspond. It was restored in 2008 and has recently been fitted with an Empi quick shift kit and aluminium side steps, as well as having a major service
last November. MoT-tested until November, it has a £14,500-15,500 estimate.
If a VW T2 is perhaps a little too obvious, Historics has the answer with its no reserve 1980 T25 camper, which is described as ‘clean and functional’. Subject to an insurance claim in 2017, it is listed as a Category D (now known as Category N) but Historics says that the minor accident damage has been repaired to a ‘good standard’. Up for sale on 18 May, it has an estimate of £8-10k.
If you don’t want a VW, you’ll probably have to be patient and hunt around. British coachbuilders rose to the occasion in period, including Torcars (celebrating its 50th birthday this year – see page 6) and Dormobile. Happy campers took to the road in a variety of domestically converted and produced commercials, based on the Austin/ Morris half-ton van, Bedford CA and CF, Commer FC, Ford Escort/ Transit, and Morris Marina, and tax- and MoT-exempt projects crop up from as little as £2000.
Brightwells’ ex-James Hull/JLR collection sale on 21 March last year had a 1973 over-cab Commer Highwayman project for £2310, a 1965 Bedford CA Romany for £2310 and a 1969 CA Debonair for £2200 respectively. It must be said, though, that Bedfords, Commers and converted Fords fetch VW T2 and T25 equivalent sums once they’re on the road.