auto-sleeper coachbuilts on VW t5 2000-2010

At the time of our specified slot (2000), there was already a VW Auto-Sleeper coachbuilt in production: Clubman is its name, and ‘Clubmen’ simply flew out of the showrooms.

The Gatcombe, meanwhile, was launched at the opening of the new century and is, in essence, a facelifted Clubman. Both are built on T4 and T5 versions of VW’s iconic Transporter.

However, 2000 also saw the launch of another VW Auto-Sleeper coachbuilt – the Sherbourne – very different to the duo described above.

This one was no curvy monocoque, but a slab-sided coachbuilt constructed with flat sandwich panels. It wasn’t ugly – just not as pretty as its predecessors.

The Sandhurst was launched midway through 2006, and was extremely well received by press and purchasers alike. Sadly, the soon-to-hit deep recession strangled promising sales.

■ ESSENTIALS

⮊Auto-Sleeper Clubman/Gatcombe/ Sherbourne and Sandhurst on VW chassis-cab and VW Al-Ko chassis-cab ⮊This generation built 2000-2010 in Broadway, UK ⮊Low-profile overcab coachbuilts ⮊Overall length: Clubman/Gatcombe 5.52m (18’ 2”), Sherbourne 6.19m (20’ 4”),

Sandhurst 6.44m (21’ 2”)

■ WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Monocoque bodies don’t leak at the joins – because there aren’t any.

That said, check for water ingress around the windows and rooflights. Early models had Carver hot water and space heaters, and these might need replacing soon.

■ OUR PICK

Base vehicle: post-2003 2.5 TDI T5. Clubman: 2003 LE (Limited Edition celebrating 10th year of production). Author’s favourite: T5 Gatcombe.

We spotted an Auto-Sleeper Gatcombe from

2001 with a £17,999 price tag

■ GUIDE PRICE