With eight of us and all our luggage we toured Europe but by the time we got back to London it was running on only one cylinder. My Dad had a heart attack on the way (one little muscle in the heart) so we didn't get to live in Paris (no great loss) but we did keep the van (a 1970 Devon VW conversion driver side on left shipped to the US) until my parents sold it when they retired to California. It's the car I learned to drive in.
We have a 72 called Hugh. We’ve travelled all over France in it and absolutely love it. I’ve owned many modern and classic sports cars but Hugh will always stay in the family. You either get them or you don’t. I find it a great way to relax and slow down. You get loads of waves and smiles when driving in a way that’s so different to every other classic I’ve owned. Wonderful things but very flawed at the same time but that’s what gives them personality.
My 1957 Type 2 was brilliant on the dirt roads of Central Australia in the early 1970s. Obviously, it needed a load to handle the corrugations and bumps. That's where a football team of indigenous students came in handy!
I still own my parents 1972 camper purchased by them in 1981 and then by me in 1989. It was my first project car and as such I lowered it and installed a Porsche 914 engine so hills and corners are no problem. Having said that, now I am in my mid fifties and I have lost both my parents, I am seriously considering returning it back to how it was when they had it i.e stock. One thing is for sure I will never part with it.
Don't do what they want. Because as a parent myself, I'd advise my kids to do what makes them happy. If modifying it is what they want to do, the first thing I'd say is improve safety, i.e., LED lights where possible, better or upgraded brakes and just enjoy it. Go to places that move your soul. Life is NOT a problem to be solved, it is an experience to be lived.
I suspect the initial popularity was due to rear engine and rear wheel drive giving it great traction on a muddy camping field or beach . It then developed a cult following.
My dad bought a Devon conversion in 1970 that we toured Europe in. It was manual stick shift with the driver's seat on the left and was shipped to America in 1971. I remember fondly the trips we went on through Europe and the US. It had a big GB sticker on it that our friends, and the man my parents eventually sold it to, thought delightfully unique. It's the car I learned to drive in.😊
I have our old 68 that my parents bought used in 69. We traveled all over the US in that thing and camped in it. Fast forward to today. I would never camp in it. I have an RV and it’s way more comfortable.
The Type 2 was exported all over the world where the Type 1 (Beetle/Käfer) was sold - this made it the ultimate hippymobile in the US because it was relatively cheap, more compact and far more reliable than anything the US market could offer. The Dormobile was a product sold essentially on the UK market.
PS-I've always liked the design and interior of the Devon conversions; don't think they were ever imported here to the USA but I used to see them in the UK car mags. Great video! I got a kick of you saying that it sounded like it was turbocharged! I had a 40bhp Beetle a few decades ago; the secret to slow vehicles is simply planning like the 2CV.
Not imported but the 1970 Devon conversion that my Dad bought in London and we tripped through Europe in was shipped to the US in 19 71. It had a special feature everyone enjoyed - a GB sticker. I believe it had a Porsche made engine.
Love to have one of them I prefer the bay window to the splity and I see your driving post 72 face-lift with the pancake Type 4 flat four engine in 1.7 and 2 litre even though during the crossover period you would find that some vans came off the production with a later body with the old flat 4 1600cc engine
Bought one as my first car in 1984. It was a 1978 in the same colour as this one it was advertised for £500 took my dad with me and we paid the man we shook hands and he gave me a fiver back. In the two years of ownership it had replaced the engine, exhaust, heat exchangers, headlights, front and rear brakes, alternator, two clutch cables, accelerator cable and decided it was time to say goodbye because the front beam was rotten and the door steps were showing signs of rot as were the doors. I advertised it for £100 and a neighbour bought it to fix up unfortunately after he finished sorting it out it caught fire whilst out for a run and my dad told me to give him the £100 back and told me never to by a bloody VW again and since that day I've always bought Japanese or Korean with the exception of one Rover 600 and that that was the second and last mistake I made with a motor vehicle. To sum up I'd never own another and finally it wouldn't wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding and very rarely managed 20 MPG .
Must admit, I don’t get the VW camper thing, or the VW van thing for that matter. I like estate cars! An uncle had one in the mid 80s, and I found it slow, noisy and cramped. My wife’s family had one when she was a child, and she said it would regularly overheat, and they’d have to keep stopping when climbing hills to let it cool down. Obviously the T2 is associated with the surfer movement - they were cheap, easily repaired, and durable. But as a camper van, there are much better alternatives out there. I get the love for them - they’re a cute, retro and iconic van, but I’d rather have something more capable, or even better, book a B&B and sleep in a bed!
@@antoniopalmero4063 From the point of view of safety I would choose Newton's laws (drive a 50 ton tank), engineering (crumple zones properly designed), a seat belt, an airbag (even one filled with ammonium nitrate) and wouldn't trust jesus to do anything at all. If you disagree with me you are welcome to play head on collisions with my tank.
Rubbish! My 1964 kombi is still going perfectly well and the engine is cheaper to overhaul than a Ferrari 400 despite being able to fit pistons etc from a fiat 124 special T!
Driving one of these just puts you in a relaxing mood and they can be very reliable as long as you do basic regular maintenance.
With eight of us and all our luggage we toured Europe but by the time we got back to London it was running on only one cylinder. My Dad had a heart attack on the way (one little muscle in the heart) so we didn't get to live in Paris (no great loss) but we did keep the van (a 1970 Devon VW conversion driver side on left shipped to the US) until my parents sold it when they retired to California. It's the car I learned to drive in.
We have a 72 called Hugh. We’ve travelled all over France in it and absolutely love it. I’ve owned many modern and classic sports cars but Hugh will always stay in the family. You either get them or you don’t. I find it a great way to relax and slow down. You get loads of waves and smiles when driving in a way that’s so different to every other classic I’ve owned. Wonderful things but very flawed at the same time but that’s what gives them personality.
I love mine! It will sit on the motorway between 55 and 60 all day until you get to some hills... But the journey is part of the adventure.
Did you have to strip yours down inside or is it all original?
My 1957 Type 2 was brilliant on the dirt roads of Central Australia in the early 1970s.
Obviously, it needed a load to handle the corrugations and bumps. That's where a football team of indigenous students came in handy!
I still own my parents 1972 camper purchased by them in 1981 and then by me in 1989. It was my first project car and as such I lowered it and installed a Porsche 914 engine so hills and corners are no problem. Having said that, now I am in my mid fifties and I have lost both my parents, I am seriously considering returning it back to how it was when they had it i.e stock. One thing is for sure I will never part with it.
No....don't do that. So many people want a 70's T2 with a better engine!
Don't do what they want. Because as a parent myself, I'd advise my kids to do what makes them happy. If modifying it is what they want to do, the first thing I'd say is improve safety, i.e., LED lights where possible, better or upgraded brakes and just enjoy it.
Go to places that move your soul.
Life is NOT a problem to be solved, it is an experience to be lived.
I suspect the initial popularity was due to rear engine and rear wheel drive giving it great traction on a muddy camping field or beach . It then developed a cult following.
It's definitely got a unique strength on muddy campsites!
Got 79 transporter w 150 hp 2l motor...monster! Lifted suspension, allcrap removed 1000 kg. See u from paris to dakar soon
My dad bought a Devon conversion in 1970 that we toured Europe in. It was manual stick shift with the driver's seat on the left and was shipped to America in 1971. I remember fondly the trips we went on through Europe and the US. It had a big GB sticker on it that our friends, and the man my parents eventually sold it to, thought delightfully unique. It's the car I learned to drive in.😊
I have our old 68 that my parents bought used in 69. We traveled all over the US in that thing and camped in it.
Fast forward to today. I would never camp in it. I have an RV and it’s way more comfortable.
The Type 2 was exported all over the world where the Type 1 (Beetle/Käfer) was sold - this made it the ultimate hippymobile in the US because it was relatively cheap, more compact and far more reliable than anything the US market could offer. The Dormobile was a product sold essentially on the UK market.
PS-I've always liked the design and interior of the Devon conversions; don't think they were ever imported here to the USA but I used to see them in the UK car mags. Great video! I got a kick of you saying that it sounded like it was turbocharged! I had a 40bhp Beetle a few decades ago; the secret to slow vehicles is simply planning like the 2CV.
Not imported but the 1970 Devon conversion that my Dad bought in London and we tripped through Europe in was shipped to the US in 19 71. It had a special feature everyone enjoyed - a GB sticker. I believe it had a Porsche made engine.
I recognise the Thornton-le-Dale environs and the forecourt of the care home and antiques stable.
The mother of a friend of mine in the sixties got in a wreck with hers and it broke both of her legs. I still love them, though.
Love the bay window vw even same year as i was born
Fantastic vehicles - you have captured the reasons for popularity EXACTLY, here. Just such a pity they are so expensive nowadays!
I have a 72L and a 77R , both are full of character and charm . £100 each a year to insure . What’s not to like ?.
Love to have one of them I prefer the bay window to the splity and I see your driving post 72 face-lift with the pancake Type 4 flat four engine in 1.7 and 2 litre even though during the crossover period you would find that some vans came off the production with a later body with the old flat 4 1600cc engine
Bought one as my first car in 1984. It was a 1978 in the same colour as this one it was advertised for £500 took my dad with me and we paid the man we shook hands and he gave me a fiver back. In the two years of ownership it had replaced the engine, exhaust, heat exchangers, headlights, front and rear brakes, alternator, two clutch cables, accelerator cable and decided it was time to say goodbye because the front beam was rotten and the door steps were showing signs of rot as were the doors. I advertised it for £100 and a neighbour bought it to fix up unfortunately after he finished sorting it out it caught fire whilst out for a run and my dad told me to give him the £100 back and told me never to by a bloody VW again and since that day I've always bought Japanese or Korean with the exception of one Rover 600 and that that was the second and last mistake I made with a motor vehicle. To sum up I'd never own another and finally it wouldn't wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding and very rarely managed 20 MPG .
My 2110c. Air cooled engine with my freeway flyer gear box in my 1971 bay is certainly not slow..72mph at 3 000 rpm
Must admit, I don’t get the VW camper thing, or the VW van thing for that matter. I like estate cars! An uncle had one in the mid 80s, and I found it slow, noisy and cramped. My wife’s family had one when she was a child, and she said it would regularly overheat, and they’d have to keep stopping when climbing hills to let it cool down. Obviously the T2 is associated with the surfer movement - they were cheap, easily repaired, and durable. But as a camper van, there are much better alternatives out there. I get the love for them - they’re a cute, retro and iconic van, but I’d rather have something more capable, or even better, book a B&B and sleep in a bed!
most people smile when they see one
superb model :)
From a safety perspective, you may as well drive a paper bag.
I love my paper bag.
If you’re worried about safety, don’t drive a classic!
You obviously have never looked at the crumple zones engineered into the high light. When tested did better than Volvos from the same era.
Jesus is my Airbag .
@@antoniopalmero4063 From the point of view of safety I would choose Newton's laws (drive a 50 ton tank), engineering (crumple zones properly designed), a seat belt, an airbag (even one filled with ammonium nitrate) and wouldn't trust jesus to do anything at all.
If you disagree with me you are welcome to play head on collisions with my tank.
These look great but are over rated and over priced for what you get. There are better campervans available for a lot less.
As expensive to keep on the road as a Ferrari but at least you can stand up and piss in it !
Rubbish!
My 1964 kombi is still going perfectly well and the engine is cheaper to overhaul than a Ferrari 400 despite being able to fit pistons etc from a fiat 124 special T!
Popular until you try and live with one. Slow and very thirsty.
Under 10 litres 100km. Do your mates call you lead foot?
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE camper to camp in !! We had one and I couldn’t wait for the husband to sell it , even in the 80’s it was terrible
It's definitely not for everyone!
Totally disagree! I think mine is great to camp in. Maybe it depends what you compare it with - compared to a hotel, then not so comfortable...
They do look lovely, but a T6 is really what you want these days for camping in.