VW Camper & Bus 02.2022

PURE MAGIC: cool colour, killer Cam

The world’s best-selling VW Camper magazine

BUS
TECH:

The key
to sorting

locks

NICE BIT
OF WEDGE

Third gen
Transporter
is ready to roll

STR LY JoeSugg’sBus
SPEAKING expertlyoverhauled

CROSSOVER DORMOBILE FEBRUARY 2022 £4.70
’71 Bus saved from a watery grave

UK ROADTRIP BUYING A T5
Touring in a Bay We take the plunge

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SILVER ENGINE DIY PRICE: £1125 GOLD ENGINE

Our basic engine: reground crank, new main, big This engine features everything
end/small end and cam brgs; new valves, springs, offered by the ‘Silver’ engine but
barrels, rings, pistons, oil pump, plugs, seals and with the addition of brand new
gaskets. Crack-tested heads and crankcase; cylinder heads, making this a
refaced flywheel and seats. nearly new engine.

DIY PRICE: £1315

BIG BORE RED ENGINE DIY PRICE £1399 GOLD PREMIUM ENGINE DIY PRICE: £1355

These are high-performance alternatives, built to 1641cc. Assembled The same specification as the ‘Gold’ engine but this one also has
with the same new components as the ‘Silver’ engine, but a 009 distributor fitted.
fitted with big bore barrels and pistons, brand new cylinder
heads and a new 009 distributor. Built to run on unleaded GOLD PREMIUM PLUS DIY PRICE: £1959
fuel. Exchangeable for 1300 or 1600cc.
Not only benefits from the 009 distributor, but also
features a brand new crankcase. This must be the
ultimate ‘standard’ replacement engine.

BIG BORE PLUS BIG BORE THURROCK MEXICO ENGINE
ENGINES (1776cc/1835cc/1914cc)
As above, but built with a brand new crankcase.
Built for performance in three engine sizes to New to our range of engines is The Mexico Range. This is an ALL NEW engine assembled with
DIY PRICE: £1999 suit your pocket. Please enquire for specifica- all new components. Every single part supplied in this engine is 100% new and built by
tion details of these engines. The Engine Shop in the UK. Supplied and test run with a distributor fitted and a full written
BIG BORE SUPER STREET
1776cc from DIY PRICE £1965 warranty. NEW!
Same specification as the ‘Big Bore’, but 1835cc from DIY PRICE £2015
fitted with a fast road camshaft. 1914cc from DIY PRICE £2055

DIY PRICE: £1499

BIG BORE SUPER STREET PLUS 1384cc BIG BORE for 1200cc

Built to the same specification W m Your old 1200 bored out to 1384cc, which 1600cc DIY PRICE £4049
as the ‘Super Street’ ve y makes it go “rather well” and no need to up- 1776cc DIY PRICE £4415
engine, but fitted with grade your ancillaries. (1200s had shorter bar- 1641cc DIY PRICE £4135
a brand new K rels than 1300 and over hence traditional
crank case. difficulty in fitting larger engine
sizes to these cars.)
DIY PRICE £2099
DIY PRICE £1249

TRANSPORTER ‘CT’ T25 1981-on BIG BORE TRANSPORTER 1910cc

New: main/big end bearings, valves, guides, springs, In exchange for your 1700/1800. Avoid the heavy costs of trying
barrels, pistons, rings, small ends, oil pump, plugs, seals, to fit a 2·0 ltr. engine into a 1700/1800 bay by fitting this
gaskets; refaced flywheel; reground crank; crack-tested 1910cc upgrade. As Transporter 1·7 (left), plus 1910cc
crankcase & brand new heads. big bore barrels/pistons and a fast road cam.

DIY PRICE: £1495 DIY PRICE: £2825

TRANSPORTER 1·7 - 2·0 (1972-’83) BIG BORE TRANSPORTER 2400cc

Fitted with new main and big end bearings, barrels, pistons and rings, new cylinder heads, plugs, seals, In exchange for your 2000. As above, fitted with 2·4 litre barrels/pistons and a fast road cam.
gaskets, refaced flywheel, reground crank, crack-tested crankcase.
DIY PRICE: £2975
DIY PRICE: £2499

WATER-COOLED TRANSPORTER BIG BORE WATER-COOLED TRANSPORTER
1900-2100cc (’83-’90)
In exchange for 1900cc. As 1·9 (left) but with 2000cc
New: main/big end bearings, valves, guides,
springs, barrels, pistons, rings, small ends, oil pump, pistons and liners, and new heads. DIY: £2425

plugs, seals, gaskets; refaced flywheel; reground In exchange for 2100cc Injection. As above but
fitted with 2200cc pistons anAbdlyllineTenhrgesiE,naanengfsudianllnnewedSwrghiteotaeprnbawonxdaerssruagpnuptyali.readnwteiethd
crank; crack-tested crankcase and cylinder heads. cylinder heads.
DIY PRICE: £1825 Y1E8ARS
DIY PRICE: £2485

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phone us for free helpful • All single port engines feature
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e n g i n etechnical advice.
All our deisel engines are fitted with NEW cylinder heads. Reground crank- NOTE: Prices are subject to

shafts with new bearings. Cylinder blocks rebored with new over-size pistons s h o pchange without prior notice.
Specialists in Volkswagen and Audi Engines
and rings. Fitted with all new oil seals and supplied with gaskets. Unit A2, Darenth Works, Ray Lamb Way, Erith, Kent. DA8 2SP
Telephone: 01322 350022 • Email: [email protected]
DIY PRICE: £1649
Website:www.theengineshop.info

FIRST WORD

PURE MAGIC: cool colour, killer Cam

The world’s best-selling VW Camper magazine COVER IMAGE: LEE MILNER
BUS ISSUE: FEBRUARY 2022
TECH:

The key
to sorting

locks

NICE BIT
OF WEDGE

Third gen
Transporter
is ready to roll

@camperandbus

STRICTLY JoeSugg’sBus [email protected]
SPEAKING expertlyoverhauled www.volksworld.com
Camper&Bus magazine, Kelsey Media,The Granary,
CROSSOVER DORMOBILE FEBRUARY 2022 £4.70 EDITOR Downs Court,Yalding Hill,Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL
’71 Bus saved from a watery grave IAN CUSHWAY
just leaves me to bode you the very best
UK ROADTRIP BUYING A T5 [email protected] festive wishes, a happy and healthy new
Touring in a Bay We take the plunge year and thank you for continuing to read the
UK's best Bus magazine. I am hopeful 2022
Not just for the camerahave got a confession to make. I've is going to be a good 'un.
IAN CUSHWAY EDITOR
never been a massive fan of celebrities,
especially when they stick their well-

Ipowdered noses into our much-loved car
of Strictly and a load of other hit TV shows
subsequently, I am happy to say I've revised
my opinion. Joe's a genuine, down-to-earth
enthusiast – he's driving a Splittie because

hobby. Possibly because there's a touch he grew up with VWs, not just because it'll

of jealousy involved – or irritation, more like. I look cool on Instagram. Which it does, of

once wrote about a TV chef who was given a course! VW Buses are in his veins and he was

spanking new Maserati and couldn't even be keen to roll up his sleeves to help get his ’66

bothered to open his door to the guy who'd 11-Window Bus sorted.

delivered it, saying 'just put the keys through And another thing. Joe's big on social media

the letterbox.' If that was me I'd have been out so him talking about his Kombi can only be a
there and all over it, offering the driver heartfelt good thing, right? And if it helps encourage
thanks, hot tea and a lift to the nearest railway more young people to get involved in the Bus
station as a mark of gratitude. Volkswagen, if scene, then I am all for that, too.
you're reading this, please take note! I am happy to end what's been a damned

Anyway, having read about Joe Sugg, star peculiar year on such a positive note. Which

EDITORIAL lSUBSCRIPTIONS Distribution
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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2022 REGULARS
18
09 BUS STOP
16
News, view and products

16 YOUR BUSES

1970 patina-look Bay

49 POSTER

Put it on your wall

74 BUS HISTORY

The Tempo Matador

91 NEXT MONTH

See what’s coming up

98 LAST WORD

We talk to Steve from CamperVanTastic

BUS FEATURES

18 STRICTLY SPEAKING

It’s been a team effort getting Joe Sugg’s
Split shipshape

30 FLOOD SURVIVOR

Dan Jutson’s Bay was rescued from a
watery grave

40 PURE MAGIC

Cool colour, very cool T6.1 Camper

54 CHARM OFFENSIVE

A low as they go T3

BUS TECH

79 KEY TO SUCCESS

Solving lock issues

86 OUR BUSES

James buys a T5

30

»2020 SHOW GUIDE: WHERE TO GO AND 86
The world’s best-sel
BACK ISSUES
PRICEPART OF THE FAMILY
Fill the gap in your VW Camper &
Restored Bus collection; see p84 or visit:
not replaced. shop.kelsey.co.uk/issue/VWC
Because you
can’t put
a price on
sentiment

Fthitefororad

The Body Bionic
Hi Top Spl t

»ROAD TRIP: A PRE-BREXIT EXIT T

6 Camper&Bus

otally-inspired T4 Sensational US Bus Take the Bus! Bespoke T6.1 stun land roadtrip

How to: t rear seatbelts

The world’s best-selling VW Camper magazine The world’s best-selling VW Camper magazine ing VW Camper magazine

SUBSCRIBE! QUICK COMMERCIAL ct wedding present
Storming 120bhp
Grab a subscription, save money and get VW Camper & Bus Ultimate guide: Pick-Up WILML(HauWnTAcedRVhsEAutlofsVaBveEleUidaLd)S!
delivered direct to your doorstep. Go to page 28, visit shop. • Early or Late?
kelsey.co.uk/subscription/VWC or call 01959 543747 B2Fu1uswlffW2aliS.ltn6ihynatoadtmlhiusotribyrswea Full • What to look for?
the p • Buying overseas?
40 GREAT • What to pay?

TBEUCSH APR 2021 £4.70

• FITTING POWER THAI DELIGHT AsTIyMN6pPeiasCFsyOtOhBOueKRs IdpNisGeThersHfeCEc’6ot3oLgl SsruParLf nINinTdspSGitCreoRduHECrEaAemNrpUerL
STEERING Super sweet 13-Window

• SPACE ROOF 25 VIRGIN ’60 SUB-HATCH SO-23
INSTALL ur rst ‘wedge’ Family friendly Camper

KEEPER’ T3 ATLhhRoyOmAweDsoKTuaEmlSdpTeyr ouASLtweTpEabRnyNtsAtteTopOoDRwIYSgWnuAiadPe

74
54

79
62 68

BUS LIFESTYLE The March issue of

62 TOURING THE ISLES goes on sale

UK roadtrip in a Bay Window Friday 21 January 2022
DON’T MISS IT!
68 OCTO ’21
Camper&Bus 7
Star Stateside Buses on show

219pc 1/4", 3/8" 2800W Industrial
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Winter project? BUS STOP

Want something to fill the dark evenings? Then grab a
winter Bus project and work on it over the off-season
so you’ve got something cool to drive in spring

Buses – and Campers in particular – have This green Bay (below), rst registered in April
been majorly in the spotlight this year and 1973, was entered into an H&H sale in late
across the board values have rocketet. But November but failed to reach its reserve of
now the holiday season’s over, this might be a £4800. That one would have made an excellent
good time to take the plunge, especially if you rolling restoration.
snap up something you can make better over
winter and enjoy in 2022. A bit newer was this ’93 T4 Caravelle (above).
Despite being entered into a Mathewsons
Classic auctions are always a good place to sale at the end of August with an estimate of
look for this kind of thing and a quick trawl of £5000-£6000, it failed to sell... Again, it would
the more recent sales results revealed some have made a great winter project to get your
tempting winter projects. teeth stuck into over the ‘off-season.’

The ’67 import Split (below) was entered Of course this is just a tiny selection –
into a Tennants auction in mid-October with there’s plenty more like these out there...
an estimate of £22,000-£25,000 but sold for
£18,000. It’s undergone a restoration, but
there’s always scope for improvement – and
next spring you’ll be paying a stack load more
for a similar example.

On to the third gen Transporters, and despite
the boom in interest, this ’83 Westy (right)
looked to have plenty of potential, not least
because it had already had a AAZ 1.9 TD
engine swap. This one sold at a CCA auction
in September for a measly £5500, the silly low
price being due in part possibly to the vendor’s
admission that it was suffering a starting issue.

SEEING RED: killer T5 4M BIG COUNTRY perfect outdoor-life BUS? fully-specced

CAN’T FIND AN ISSUE? IBTU’SSTINHEESS!The world’s best-selling VW Camp The world’s best-selling VW Camper magazine MATTERelling VW Camper magazine T5 CarCavOeLRlleENrTWo’aSAdLDtrLiOp!
ACwabescoommem’7e2rcDaoluble
TBEUCSH: RO VAN rid
rboecTdk4/‘nnTs’5traollll
Ditched by a previous owner, Mike Farnham
recreated his ’60s camper interior from scratch

UK ROAD TRIP
Touring the Peak

District in a T5

If you’re fed up with trawling the newsagents issue/VWC. UK customers can also save BUS
to nd an issue, order the latest edition of money by ordering three issues for just TECH:
Camper&Bus online instead, or a back issue, £9.99, including delivery, via the continuous Westy
at the normal cover price with free delivery credit offer available here: shop.kelsey.co.uk/ window
within the UK. Simply visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/ suboffer/cb2vwc.You know it makes sense. rebuild

ENGINE EXPERT: wAeRsNomFIeNoDrig2in3a-lWpaINinDt ’O62W
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SHARING YOUR PASSION FOR OVER 35 YEARS

Camper&Bus 9

BUS STOP

Classic Campers

No T2OC or SSVC displays this year, but we still
found plenty of VW Campers and Buses at the NEC’s
Classic Motor Show

Words Neil Birkitt
Photos Karl Grevatt, Julieanne Kay, Jamie
Mellish, Mike Neale, Gareth Rogers, Mark
Walters

After last year’s postponement, due to the UNDER THE HAMMER Insurance Services it was repainted to an
Covid pandemic, The Lancaster Insurance extremely high standard in the original
Classic Motor Show, with discovery+, made This 1979 former Panel Van (above right) was blue and white colour scheme by CBR
a welcome return to Birmingham’s NEC over sold for £15,750 by Silverstone Auctions, Restorations, the interior was re-trimmed and
the weekend of November 12-14, with over with all proceeds from the sale going to colour-coded by Newton Commercial, with
60,000 enthusiasts attending. Prostate Cancer UK. new tyres from Vintage Tyres, and the engine
was rebuilt by the Practical Classics team
The remit of the event is truly eclectic, Restored and converted into a Camper by using new components from Heritage Parts
encompassing a wide range of models and Practical Classics magazine and Lancaster Centre, who also supplied many other parts
marques with 270 car clubs, ranging from for the Van.
the AC Owners’ Club to the XR4 Register,
including around 3000 vehicles on show On completion, the Camper set off on a
across seven halls, with plenty to interest VW 1600-mile, seven-day trip around the coast
fans amongst the various displays. of Britain, raising £1000 for Prostate Cancer
UK. Nice one.

10 Camper&Bus

to visitors in exchange for a donation to BUS STOP
charities, including such worthy causes as
Together 21, Keech Hospices, Derian House and Ital Register, in front of the live audience,
and Beaulieu Respite care unit. to restore a 1971 1.3 Coupe which hadn’t run
for 30 years. There were huge cheers when it
A new feature this year put the spotlight fired up and drove off the stage at the end of
on classic vehicles with electric power Sunday’s show.
conversions, including the converted 1303
Beetle of Richard Morgan of Electric Classic Next year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic
Cars, from the TV show Vintage Voltage, Motor Show, with Discovery, will be held at
and the vivid green Porsche 911 from the NEC over the weekend of November
EcoClassics. 11-13. Check out the website at
www.necclassicmotorshow.com
Other show highlights included the
THE SHOW IN NUMBERS discovery+ Live Stage, hosted by Mike
Brewer, Marc Priestley and Ant Anstead, with
Multi-marque it may be, but it seems that guest appearances from Jimmy Doherty and
models from Triumph lived up to their name Jimmy De Ville, Paul Cowland from Salvage
this year, with a 1969 TR6 taking the coveted Hunters Classic Cars, Helen Stanley from
Meguiar’s Club Showcase trophy, while the Motor Pickers, and Ant Partridge from Goblin
Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Works Garage.
award went to a 1979 Triumph Spitfire and
a Triumph Speed Twin motorcycle won the The Practical Classics team combined
Bike Pride of Ownership. efforts with the Morris Marina Owner’s Club

Silverstone Auctions secured a total of
£8.3 million-worth of car sales and sold
£550,000-worth of motorcycles in its first
dedicated sale, with an additional £180,000
in automobilia sold at the event.

The Sporting Bears Motor Club raised
£28,913 from its popular Dream Rides
initiative, giving 10-mile passenger rides

“The remit of the photo: Hayburner
event is truly eclectic,
encompassing a wide photo: Hayburner

range of models and PORSCHE PERFECT
marques”
This would normally be worthy of star billing
on any VW club stand, but tucked away in a
quiet corner of the Porsche Classic display
area was this T25 crew-cab pickup, not only
in near concours condition itself but also
sporting a superbly detailed six-cylinder 911
engine parked on the load space.

Camper&Bus 11

BUS STOP

ABVWC TOUR DE FORCE

Despite the absence this year of the VW Type 2 Owners’ Club and
the Split Screen Van Club (SSVC) from their usual plots in the main
club display hall, there were still plenty of VW Campers and Buses
to be found on show. In particular, the Association of British VW
Clubs (ABVWC) plot was fronted by a line-up of three very different
examples, along with several other representative VW models.
www.abvwc.com

HELLISHLY GOOD TRANSFORMER VAN

Jamie Hellish’s 1957 Split Screen 15-Window Deluxe was originally a Richard Henwood’s 1972 Bay is an ex-California example, imported
1975 model imported from Brazil. These used a weird mis-match of around 2015 sporting a sun-bleached deep yellow paintwork, with
parts, with 1963-67 style panels and lights, but pre-1958 style ‘high the usual patina on the roof and door tops. Unfortunately, an accident
hinge’ cargo doors, making them very easy to identify. and subsequent poor repair rendered a ‘rat look’ out of the question,
so it received a full restoration, colour change and chassis detailing,
Jamie decided it would make a good candidate for a 1957 style including various items of deluxe trim to add to its refinement.
conversion, sourced the necessary parts and did the conversion In the summer it sports a VanWurks camping interior, with all modern
himself with Autocraft side panels and front arches in the ’55-’62 conveniences, while during the winter months it is turned into an
style, genuine 1957 ribbed bumpers, Creative Engineering Deluxe 8-seater Microbus with five seats in the rear and an M501 kit to replace
trim and pre-’57 style genuine bullet indicators, along with pre ’57 the passenger seat with a double seat spanning the walk-through.
style bubble rear lights and centre brake light, sourced through
Machine7. Jamie then painted it in the Deluxe colour scheme for a In Camper mode it features a Rusty Lee rock ’n’ roll bed and
1957 15-Window of Sealing Wax red and Chestnut brown, working removable buddy seats, with the interior trimmed by AJ Retrims using
under a Gala tent in the cold and dark. TMI products, Beech headlining and door cards and MadMatz floor
coverings over the original rubber mats.
It’d previously had a full Balls’d air suspension installation,
with twin-bag front beam and individual rear bags, run with V2 air It is now powered by a rebuilt 2.0-litre Type 4 engine, with fully
management, and the front and rear arches were fully tubbed to allow refurbished running gear which features 2.5in dropped front spindles,
the chassis to lay over the frame when aired out. A CSP front disc adjustable rear spring-plates, adjustable dampers and late front brakes.
brake conversion, with servo assist, completes the picture.

CURRENT THINKING

Jordan Hale’s 1979 Bay has an interesting life story. It has been in the UK
since 2013 but was originally one of just five of these microbuses which
were ordered from Volkswagen by the Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as part of a research
project in aid of making electric-powered vehicles more mainstream.

It was used as a demo vehicle at the time, and has spent most of its
life being tested around a circuit up until the 90’s, only covering 38,000
miles although the statistics on the electric unit they used to power these
were poor, with a range of just 62 miles and a top speed of only 35mph.
As cool as it looks, still with the original EPRI-TVA stripes and
signwriting, it has now been converted back to a 1600 petrol engine after
the electric motor seized, and has had a really nice original Early Bay
Westfalia interior fitted.

Jordan’s friends have been urging him to fit a Tesla electric motor, but
while the budget doesn’t stretch that far at the moment it could soon
change, with the ever-increasing cost of petrol!

12 Camper&Bus

VW California Ocean & Grand California Campervan Hire

VW Grand California

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BUS STOP

UP FOR SALE TRAILER QUEEN

Offered for sale at £27,995 by Arun Ltd – an Somewhat incidental, but we spotted this 1973 Bay parked on the club stand of the Royal
independent Jaguar specialist based in Enfield Owners’ Club (South Midlands branch). Owned by Royal Enfield enthusiast Mike
Pulborough, West Sussex – was this 1978 Garbutt since 2018, it was previously a demo vehicle for Bromsgrove Auto Trimmers, usually
Bay-window Camper. Extensively refurbished itself trailered to events to display their skills in interior upgrades. With a recently rebuilt 1600
both cosmetically and mechanically, it is now engine it now serves as a regular day Bus and tow car for the transport of these valuable
powered by a recent replacement 1776cc vintage motorcycles.
big-bore twin Weber-carbed engine, built by
The VW Engine Company.

Along with a fully fitted kitchen supplied
by VanWurks with gas/electric fridge, gas
cooker, toilet, central heating, 240V/12V
hook-up, a rock and roll bed and pop-top
roof, it also comes with a comprehensive
service history covering its 72,000 miles.
www.arunltd.com

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14 Camper&Bus

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READER BUS

Work in progress

Jason Dixon’s used to challenging work projects but in
comparison this rock solid Bay has proved child’s play so far

Jason Dixon, 1970 Bay Window

After living abroad for a number of years, my wife (Tracey), dog Various trips to festivals followed, before I decided in 2019 to have
(Badger) and myself moved back to the UK in 2015, and two the engine swapped for a 1776cc from The VW Engine Company
years later bought this 1970 Bay Window. (www.thevwenginecompany.com), tted by Johnson Autoworks
It was imported from Arizona sometime around 2010, and then in (www.johnsonautoworks.com), and now she cruises at 65mph.
2017 the then owner decided to sell as they were not using it much.
Working as a construction project manager I’m used to challenging
I left Beautiful Days festival near Exeter one day to drive to projects, but so far he has been pretty easy to manage. A dodgy
Bournemouth to have a look at it, and agreed the deal there and starter motor, fuel sender and wiring under the dash that resembled
then before rushing back to the festival to continue the festivities and Spaghetti Junction have all been recti ed, and I’ve tted a new
picked it up a month later. modern retro stereo, soundproo ng, more comfy seats. Oh, and I
have carried out a brake and gearbox rebuild.
The owner put in a new headlining, door trims, rock ‘n’ roll bed and
buddy seats as part of the deal, and it was mine. The paintwork is the original, which has been lacquered, and
despite some of my friends imploring me to get it resprayed, I’d like
A long trip from Bournemouth to Loughborough where I live then to keep the original lived-in look, which everyone – including Badger
ensued, but he (I decided it was a ‘he’) behaved well, but the engine the dog – seems to be more than happy with!
felt a bit tired.

16 Camper&Bus

READER BUS
“despite my friends
imploring me to get it
resprayed, I’d like to keep
the original lived-in look”

Camper&Bus 17

Fond memories of family holidays
in a Bay prompted TV celeb and
serial vlogger Joe Sugg to buy

this Bus. What then followed was
an exhaustive team effort by the
country’s leading VW specialists to
make it a whole lot better in every

respect

Words Andy Gregory Photos Lee Milner

Joe wasn’t afraid of
getting stuck in, even
helping Leigh remove
the engine – albeit in a

white T-shirt!

18 Camper&Bus

Camper&Bus 19

This beautiful white over blue 1966 Engine runs as sweet as
11-Window Kombi is called Chippy. a nut now the ignition
He was named after the current
owner’s grandfather and belongs components and electrics
to a chap by the name of Joe have been sorted
Sugg. Joe has been running a successful
YouTube channel for over ten years, but A dossier of all the work that
you may be more familiar with his efforts was undertaken will make a
on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2018
and Celebrity Bake Off in 2020. Despite great momento for Joe
his notoriety though, he’s a down to earth
guy and more than happy to chat about his Cool collect
reasons for buying Chippy, how the purchase
went down and his experiences with classic Reassured by the mechanic that it wasn’t a
Camper ownership. dud, Joe went ahead and collected Chippy
himself, along with his dad, aunt and uncle.
“My Uncle had a Bay Window Camper, “I remember it was the windiest day ever,
coincidently the same colour as Chippy,” Joe and it was my rst time driving such an old
recalls. “We used to go away in it on family vehicle. By the time we made it to back to
holidays to Devon and Cornwall with my Wiltshire, Chippy and I had bonded through
cousins. I had always loved the look of the our shared blustery experience.”
old classic Split Screen Buses and Chippy
is kind of like owning a precious historical As a professional vlogger, Joe records
artifact – albeit one that also happens to still his life to share with others, and it was one
be quite practical.” such social media post in August 2019 that
piqued the interests of the Heritage Parts
His tale continues, “I remember nding Centre marketing team. “I got a message
this Camper online while we were on the on Instagram from Andy at Heritage,” Joe
Strictly tour bus driving to the next location. reveals. “He explained what they did, and
It looked immaculate inside and was right- how they would like to help me with Chippy.
hand drive. Funnily enough Graeme Swann It was like my prayers had been answered!
was sat near me, so I asked him if it looked I’m not the best at xing cars, and was
decent…” The former England cricketer and worried I might just make things worse,
Strictly contestant is a fan of campers and rather than solve them if I had a go myself”
gave his approval on the proviso the engine
was ok, so Joe sensibly commissioned an With a busy schedule and a pandemic
expert to go take a closer look. to contend with, the conversation went

20 Camper&Bus

“I had always loved the look of the old
classic Split Screen Buses and Chippy

is kind of like owning a precious
historical artifact – albeit one that also

happens to still be quite practical”

Camper&Bus 21

Lite Steer power steering a shopping list of what was needed, and collected from his home in London and
and a host of other mods importantly discussed how he planned to transported here for the project to begin.”
make this Bus much nicer to use Chippy in the future. With Covid now
drive in modern traffic a part of our lives, and holidays abroad Liter and better
on hold, Joe wanted him ghting t for UK
back and forth for almost a year before it adventures with friends and family. There With the brief to make Chippy safer and
became clear some hands-on help would were some small things like window catches easier to drive, Leigh called upon Simon
be required. Having previously worked with and handles to x, and other larger jobs like Butland from Butty’s Bits, and Neil Oakley
Leigh Hicks and the team at Combe Valley a brake upgrade and suspension overhaul from Lite Steer to inspect the Bus at his
Campers, Andy got in touch and oated that we identi ed should be tackled too. Joe workshop. Both well versed with classic
the idea of a partnership. Heritage would felt comfortable with what we were saying, Volkswagens, and engineers who spend
provide most of the parts, and Leigh would so we made arrangements to get Chippy their days re ning 50-year-old German
design, they soon had a plan in place for
t and lm it all for his YouTube channel; Joe wanted his Bus fighting power steering, a brand-new front beam
a celebrity client would be pretty cool for fit for UK adventures with and a handful of clever linkages to add to
them both to promote. friends and family Joe’s driving pleasure. The front spindles
were already sporting a CSP disc brake kit,
Leigh continues, “I had a number of but a servo would be added to give a more
great phone calls with Joe, we produced positive pedal feel and give Joe reassurance
in amongst modern day traffic.

Whilst many owners simply drop their
vehicle at a workshop and pick it up when
it’s done, Joe was keen to get involved.
Dressed bravely in a white T-shirt he
assisted Leigh with the air-cooled engine
removal and took the time to learn how the
intake and cooling system worked, storing
that knowledge away should he ever need
it in the future. Of course, this all makes
for great content for his audience to watch
too… You don’t have to be a car enthusiast
to love an old campervan, and Joe’s fans
seem to be enjoying the series to date at
the time of writing.

22 Camper&Bus

“we have added some tasty tan
seatbelts, hidden USB charging points
and tidied up a bird’s nest full of aged

wiring that was tucked below that
polished wood rim wheel”

A handy stove was installed
in the swing out cupboard

Camper&Bus 23

photo: Ali Jassim couple of keyrings, and I never felt that was
very secure!”
Underneath Chippy the wiring was scruffy, Left to the experts
so anything unnecessary was discarded Unlike most jobs that pass through the
before the remainder was correctly insulated Joe lacked the con dence to jump in and Combe Valley Campers workshop, Chippy
and routed through grommets and into the tackle the jobs himself, and one such task needed little in the way of cupboards or soft
chassis legs. New brake pipes and brake was the replacement of the opening quarter furnishings, as Leigh explains. “A beautiful
hoses were added for peace of mind, and light catch. “This will really make a big beige vinyl interior already complimented
the whole thing was cleaned down before difference he exclaimed,” as he tested it the Devon conversion, and this was one of
receiving a fresh dose of Waxoyl in all cavities when collecting the Bus at B Road Hunting Joe’s favourite parts on the Van. Although
and crevices to protect it for the future. Club. “I used to have to keep it shut with a the rock and roll bed was a thing of mystery
as he couldn’t remember how to use it, the
walk-thru set up and rear seating layout
was perfect for social occasions. We gave
all appliances the once over and installed a
stove in the swing out cupboard on the side
door. Up front in the cab we have added
some tasty tan seatbelts, hidden USB
charging points and tidied up a bird’s nest
full of aged wiring that was tucked below that
polished wood rim wheel.”

A Vintage Speed shifter now sits at arm’s
length from the driver, and Joe laughs as
he tells us what happened to the old one: “I
was pulling out of a parking space and got
a bit ustered; I just couldn’t nd reverse.
I was pushing it all over the place, and
then it just snapped off in my hand!” As
well as replacing the broken shifter, all the
gearshift bushings were renewed – a job that
required the engine and fuel tank to come
out but ensures cogs are now changed with
precision, rather than brute force.

“The front suspension overhaul was a job

24 Camper&Bus

Retrimmed Devon interior is one of
Joe’s favourite bits about the Van
though he’d forgotten how the bed
folded down (see below)

“I’m not the best at xing
cars, and was worried I
might just make things
worse, rather than solve
them if I had a go myself”

Camper&Bus 25

SVEIDEETOHSE

“I de nitely feel more con dent now
that if something isn’t working right I
will be in a better position to diagnose
the problem at least”

Combe Valley Campers and Heritage Parts Centre worked closely together to transform Joe’s Bus into the Camper
he always wanted. L-R – Ryan Laity (Combe Valley Campers), Stephanie Drewett (Heritage Parts Centre) Joe Sugg,
Leigh Hicks (Combe Valley Campers) and Ali Jassim (Combe Valley Campers)

added to the list by Neil,” Leigh points out. of paddle boarding, so the roof rack was feel more con dent now that if something
“With Joe’s safety very much paramount, he something which was important to us. Not isn’t working right I will be in a better position
was concerned about some rust patches and only does it look great, but we can just sling to diagnose the problem at least.”
felt it would be sensible to replace the beam the boards on the top and off we go.”
if possible. These things are tricky to nd Whilst his rst car was a lowly Peugeot
in a hurry, but we managed to track down a Learning curve 106, Joe hints Chippy might not be his last
4in narrowed unit from the guys at Cool Air foray into classic car ownership. “If my
and partnered with the KYB shocks from From ballroom dancing through to cake driveway would allow I’d love a VW Bug to
Heritage it has really transformed the look baking, Joe’s not afraid to give something keep him company, or an ancient Series
and ride.” new a try, so I enquire as to what he’s learnt 1 Land Rover, but for now I’m more than
from this hands-on experience getting happy with having my Bus back.”
Incidentally, the wheels are polished EMPI Chippy up to scratch.
5 spokes and were on the Bus when Joe Might you bump into Joe Sugg at a
bought it, although slightly lower pro le tyres “Working with Leigh and the team at classic or VW car event in the future?
have been tted on the front to give Chippy a Combe Valley Campers has been great, Well, in Joe’s words, “If the diary allows,
cool new stance. they’ve taught me a lot about the mechanics then certainly! I would love to chat to
of how and why certain bits work the way other classic car enthusiasts about their
The icing on the cake sits atop of Chippy they do and have just been a generally lovely vehicles and the stories which are attached
in the form of a four-bow stainless steel roof bunch to work with.” to them.” So, keep an eye out for Chippy
rack from SSP. “I grew up in the countryside, on your travels, give Joe a wave, and you
so do love a good staycation, and plan Has Joe got a set of spanners on his never know you may just end up on his
on many adventures around our beautiful Christmas list? “Well, hopefully I won’t need channel as he documents the fun that only
coastline,” Joe tells us. “We enjoy a spot them,” he chuckles. “That said, I de nitely a campervan can provide. C

26 Camper&Bus



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30 Camper&Bus

Having sat underwater, this Bay Window
Camper was said to be unrestorable. But

when Dan Jutson spotted the original
Dormobile spec, he knew it was worth

saving from its watery grave...

Words Dan Bevis Photos Andy Saunders

Camper&Bus 31

Campervanning, as you’ll be well chat about how their grandad restored one, the passion grew from there, and I got really
aware, is a tremendously versatile or how they used to spend their childhood into them through my teens.”
way to see the world. You can holidays bouncing around in the back of one.
call pretty much anywhere home And it stands to reason that camping inside a Joining the military at 18, he stepped out
for the night, depending on how van provides all the bene ts of the al fresco of the Dub lifestyle for a few years, although
much driving stamina you have and where lifestyle (portability, cosiness, the freedom it all came back around again when he met
you fancy giving up for the day and getting to make last-minute venue changes, an his now-wife, Lucy, in 2004: she let slip that
the dinner on. Well, perhaps not exactly excuse to use a sleeping bag) with the added she’d always kinda had a thing for Beetles,
‘anywhere’ – you can’t just pitch up on a advantage of being in a largely watertight and from that point onward it was written in
stranger’s driveway or the hard shoulder vessel if it rains. QED. the stars that they’d be getting one together
of the A3, you need to do it somewhere before long. And so it came to pass: leaving
proper… but the options are near-endless, All of this is keenly in the thought matrix the military in 2006, Dan and Lucy found what
and there’s the added bonus (if such things of Dan Jutson, whose rather lovely Bay appeared to be the ideal candidate on eBay,
Window Dormobile we have before the lens an early ’64 Beetle. “That was the biggest
icker on your radar) that you’ll look awesome today. He has old-school air-cooled coding mistake of my life,” Dan laughs. (Because
doing so. VW campervans are inherently intertwined with his very DNA, and has you’ve got to laugh, haven’t you?) “It was
cool, that’s a gimme, and you’ll get admiring done from day one. “When I was a kid, my advertised as being a lot better than it was –
glances and cheery waves from people of all grandad had a Splittie and a Beetle,” Dan having driven all the way from Devon to Essex
generations. No petrol station ll-up will be recalls. “He took me under his wing and to collect it, I found that it was a total rot box.
completed without somebody coming over to taught me the ways of the air-cooled VWs; I haggled with the guy, and to be honest still

Dan’s chosen to keep things pretty stock throughout Airiness inside comes courtesy of two big windows in the roof

32 Camper&Bus

“we decided to fit
out the Van I’d just
restored as a Camper
and everything just

snowballed from
there!”

Camper&Bus 33

Twin Kadrons on a twin-port 1600cc means Dan’s Van trundles along quite nicely,
thank you – and it sounds nice too with that Vintage Speed stainless muffler

paid over the odds. I could feel it exing on become their wedding car on the big day. This “I work for the electricity board,” says Dan,
the motorway on the drive home!” wasn’t the coda to the tale either; indeed, “and I’m often coming across VWs when I’m
this restoration turned out to be a series of out and about – I’ve bought over 25 in recent
Having put it through an MoT to see just stepping stones toward a whole new chapter years. We’ve thinned the eet down a bit now,
how bad it was, Dan was presented with a full in their life. but we still have ve, renting them out for
three pages of ‘dangerous’ – and you might holidays… but not this one. We don’t rent this
think that all of this would have soured the “Around this time, Lucy’s parents retired,” one out, this is mine.”
taste for old VWs somewhat, but in fact it had he continues. “I’d bought a Van and restored
the opposite effect. Those age-old desires it, and when I was preparing to sell it my
had been rekindled, and having had his father-in-law took me aside and said ‘You’re
into campers, why don’t you two rent one for
ngers burned by an incendiary little lemon, a little getaway?’. So we did, and that was
he was more keen than ever to get back into a lightbulb moment – we decided to t out
restorations again. the Van I’d just restored as a Camper and
everything just snowballed from there!”
“I hadn’t touched a welder in about 15
years,” he says, “but I had a little help from The in-laws were keen to be involved
friends to get me re-started, and I had a clear with this new endeavour, with Lucy’s mother
target in mind: we were getting married in being particularly handy with curtains
2008, and I wanted to get the Beetle properly and upholstery and suchlike, and as a
done so we could use it as a wedding car.” collaborative effort the family started buying
up campervans like there was no tomorrow;
New beginning they started with a couple, and at one point
not long after there were ten on the eet,
Using the skills and discipline honed in being restored, re tted and rented out to
the military, Dan set about the Beetle with holidaymakers.
ruthless efficiency, and yes – it did indeed

Dan’s in-laws collaborated with the project, making it a true family Van Caught in a flood

Yes, we’ve come to the crux of the matter: the
Bay Window you see before you, nished in
a unique and unusual shade of browny-beige
(with a hint of pink when the light hits it just
right). “I was told it was unrestorable,” Dan
grins. “It had been in a ood, and the word
was that it was beyond repair… it was sat in
a workshop in Hele, which isn’t exactly on a

ood plain but is prone to getting a bit moist;
it was being done up, but then the workshop

ooded and the Van was sat with half of it
underwater, and the owner wanted it gone.
I heard about the Van, and I was intrigued
because it was a Dormobile; I’ve owned pretty
much every other type of camper conversion
but never a Dormobile, so it piqued my

34 Camper&Bus

Bay was sat up to its waist in water but
incredibly the damage was minimal

“It had been in a flood, and the
word was that it was beyond repair”

Dan’s got history when it comes
to doing up old VWs, but he’s
really been bitten by the Bus bug

Camper&Bus 35

interest. In the end I low-balled them with an Interior was in storage somewhere
offer of a couple of grand without really even dry when the flood took place which
looking at it, as I gured it’d be worth more
than that in parts. And when we hauled it out, explains why it’s so mint
we found that there was basically nothing
wrong with it!” form with on Beetles and makes a truly lovely
sound as he scoots along.
Well, what a remarkable piece of good
fortune. Naturally there was some work to “It’s really nice to drive,” he smiles. “It’s
do to the body to get it as straight as you lighter than a Westy so it doesn’t struggle
see it today, but in relative terms it was fairly to haul itself along. It had already been
minimal. A couple of rear corners, the very lowered, but probably only about 40mm so
lower edge of the front clip, inner and outer it’s not an extravagant drop, and that helps
sills, no biggie. Dan was keen to get it painted it to handle tidily too. And it’s got the stock
Savannah Beige, but the in-laws had other 1600 transmission, stock brakes, stock-spec
ideas and had this custom mix made up, wheels, all just as it should be.”
an entirely one-off colour just for this Van.
Otherwise the exterior treatment has been The Van certainly cuts quite a dash,
kept as original-spec as possible; aside from particularly when it’s parked up with the
the breglass bumpers (and you can’t tell top popped. Dan’s chosen to augment the
they’re ’glass unless you’re really looking), it’s splendid period Dormobile appointments with
all very early-seventies. This approach has some modern tricks to keep the kids amused;
been keenly led by the state of the interior: there’s mains power and a 12v leisure
“It’s probably the most original Dormobile I’ve setup plus an inverter for the television, all
ever seen,” he enthuses. “When I bought the
Van I was told that all the interior bits were in
another unit, and when I picked them up I just
couldn’t believe how complete and decent
everything was. It’s got the original cooker,
the mirror for the roof, the buddy seats, even
the waste paper basket.”

Ready to roll

It’s this originality that’s informed the
decisions made throughout the build – not
concours, but certainly period-correct as
much as possible. The engine is non-original,
but it’s a very usable lump that makes the Van
a pleasure to cruise in; a twin-port 1600, the
50hp spec with twin Kadron carbs, it purrs
all day long. The cherry on the cake is the
Vintage Speed exhaust, a setup Dan has

Rock ‘n’ roll bed is supported by a table – it looks precarious but works just fine! A stove that folds behind the passenger seat is
36 Camper&Bus a Dormobile trademark

cunningly hidden from view to keep the old-
school aesthetic, and ensuring that the two
youngsters love spending time in the VW on
trips away.

“The attention the Van receives is just
phenomenal,” says Dan. “Everyone wants to
come and chat about it, everyone has a story
to tell.” Yep, that’s all part of campervan life,
isn’t it? And what’s most endearing about this
particular one, beyond the original interior
and period-style aesthetics and everything
else, is the fact that it has a frisson of magic
about it. With all the Vans that have come and
gone in recent years, this is the one that’s
stuck around. The one that doesn’t get rented
out. The one the in-laws decorated and the
kids adore holidaying in. It’s more than just a
Dormobile – it’s one of the family. C

“It’s probably the most original Dormobile I’ve
ever seen...it’s got the original cooker, the
mirror for the roof, the buddy seats, even the
waste paper basket”

Camper&Bus 37

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Technical helpline: 07980025688 / 01914191111
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Nick Harding and his partner Carolann had their holidaying
dreams answered when they snapped up this fully kitted
out Pure grey T6.1 from Leeds-based SK Campers

Words and Photos Jon Cass

40 Camper&Bus

Camper&Bus 41

As you’ve no doubt noticed,
camping’s become the new
black since the rst lockdown
of 2020. The combination of
great weather in spring and
early summer that year combined with an
uncertainty surrounding travel abroad meant
UK holidays were one of the few things
people could look forward to. Yep, our ne
isles sure have plenty to offer when it comes
to amazing scenery and places to visit – a
fact that wasn’t lost on Nick Harding and
his partner Carolann Swallow. The couple
had previously dismissed the idea of owning
a campervan, but after weighing up their

Officially this lump only pushes out 110bhp but it’s pretty easy to get 150 out of it with a tuning box

Wolfrace 18in rims are shod in 225/45 Ultra options, nally decided to bite the bullet and other manufacturers, but when it comes to
Arzo 4 Arivo rubber invest in a fully kitted out T6.1. trading in, you’re likely to get most of your
money back. I brie y considered a Ford
“We looked around at the various Transit but on balance the T6 seemed the far
campers available and decided a SWB Van better bet.”
conversion would be best as there was
just the two of us,” says Nick. “We weren’t Quality build
bothered about space, we just needed
enough room to make it practical.” As we all This led Nick to search the internet for a
know, a SWB van-derived Camper makes conversion company that would build a Van
perfect sense in this situation as they’re still that would t his requirements – as well
easy enough to manoeuvre and slip under as his budget. “After a lot of browsing, we
height restriction barriers, which explains settled on SK Campers in Leeds as their
why so many folk use them as daily drivers. conversions were of the quality we were
hoping for at a price we could afford and
“We researched the various models after speaking to Scott at SK we realised
and were amazed at the prices some were we’d made the right choice.”
fetching and it soon became clear we may
as well opt for a conversion on a brand-new SK Campers have been trading since
Van,” said Nick, VW’s T6.1 being the obvious 2014 when Scott made the switch to camper
choice. “You pay more for a T6 compared to conversions full time. “I’d worked in the
building trade previously then when that
trade went downhill I decided to convert
my work van into a Camper to help sell it
on,” he reveals. “I enjoyed carrying out that

rst conversion and decided to turn it into a
trade.” Initially he offered conversions on a
wide range of vans from his garage at home,
but as popularity grew for VW Transporters
he wisely decided to specialise and in 2014
moved into purpose-built premises in Leeds.
With the help of fellow worker Greg Arnold

T6.1 is great to drive. That said, “You pay more for a
Nick now wishes he’d forked out T6 compared to other
more for DSG manufacturers, but
when it comes to
42 Camper&Bus trading in, you’re likely
to get most of your
money back”

Austop roof adds flexibility; this one’s
fitted with roof bars and 180W solar panel

It’s a tad chilly for a shower outside at this time of year, maybe, but in There’s sleeping space for two, plus room for two more in the roof if guests
summer – well, why not? aren’t too shy to share the living space

Camper&Bus 43

SK conversion features bespoke CNC made units,
various USB points, water supply with 40L tank,
110amp leisure battery, EC155 charging system
and control panel, split load relay charging
system, full 35mm insulation, twin swivel front
seats and a non-slip Altro floor . Phew...

“The SK interior has everything you need and it
has a classy feel about it, all for a good price”

they now produce two full conversions a front grille along with front splitter, badges,
month with custom jobs tted in between. roof rails and side rails. There’s a Westfalia
Scott’s wife Kerry is the director and runs removable tow bar tted, too.
the office along with all the important social
media side of things. “Greg is our specialist Van with attitude
for cutting and tting our Austop pop-top
roofs and we offer bespoke conversions Improving the stance is a set of VW
if customers require it,” says Kerry. “The Sportline lowering springs while the standard
brand-new vans come in standard guise wheels have been exchanged for a set of
from VW and leave us as fully converted attractive Wolfrace X10X 18x8.5in rims more
campers, the only aspect we don’t complete commonly seen on BMW SUVs. These
in-house is the paintwork.” simple additions have transformed the
standard Transporter into a great looking
Speaking of paintwork, Pure grey is Van with a hint of attitude. Okay, so the
currently a fashionable colour for the T6.1, 110bhp 2.0 diesel powerplant isn’t going to
and Nick reckons it suits the lines perfectly, set the world on re, but there’s ample power
especially with a few added mods. “We as far as Nick is concerned. That said, he’s
wanted the Van to stand out and not look not so sure about the transmission. “I chose
like a standard grey van with windows,” Nick a manual ’box to keep within budget but in
laughs. “I had a vision in my mind as to how hindsight maybe I should have gone for the
I wanted it to look and it had to be grey with auto but that would have been signi cantly
a gloss black grille.” The 2021 T6.1 T28 more expensive,” Nick adds.
now bene ts from that essential gloss black

Dometic sink and twin hob is a winning combo

44 Camper&Bus

Subtle lowering courtesy of Sportline springs
brings Nick’s T6 closer to terra firma

Camper&Bus 45

Nick and Carolann’s conversion was
done in just five weeks so they could

enjoy the last bit of summer

“The Van has all the essentials we
need, and it still remains practical
enough to take anywhere”

When it came to the interior, Nick’s main the rear bench folds down into a rock and roll wave or give a thumbs up and a lot of people
priority was that the conversion should bed so Nick and Carolann have the option have mentioned how good the Van looks.”
be nished to the highest quality, “The to invite two willing relatives should they so
SK interior has everything you need and wish. The pop-top also houses a 180w solar Despite receiving the keys to his new
it has a classy feel about it, all for a good panel on the exterior which will no doubt acquisition only a few months ago at the
price,” Nick adds. The built-in twin hobs and come in handy for boosting Nick’s 240v time of writing, Nick plans on adding to the
sizeable Waeco CRX50 Dometic fridge and electrical supply! inventory with an awning and bike rack. “As
freezer are located just where you’d expect we gain more experience camping, we’ll
to nd them and there’s plenty of adjacent Just in time probably accumulate more stuff so by spring
cupboard space too. The push-button we’ll have a lot more camping accessories
cupboard doors have a quality feel and the The whole conversion including the added to accommodate,” he laughs. We should
external modi cations took SK just ve point out Nick works at Immingham docks,
nish of the bespoke CNC made units look weeks, so it was nished in time for Nick so already there are plans to take the T6 into
modern and classy. An unexpected bonus and sue to enjoy the latter half of summer mainland Europe when the time is right.
is the detachable shower unit which plugs 2021 in their new purchase. “We plan to
into the water unit container at the rear of use it most weekends and whenever we For now, Nick and Carolann are both over
the Van. get chance,” Nick smiles, “so far it’s been a the moon with the work carried out by Scott
great experience.” In fact, the couple have and the team at SK Campers and couldn’t
Although many owners survive their already camped at Ullswater three times in recommend them highly enough. “The Van
camping expeditions with a xed roof Bus, six weeks in addition to trips taking in Spurn has all the essentials we need, and it still
Nick was keen for his to come with the Point and Bakewell in the Peak District and remains practical enough to take anywhere,”
bene ts of a pop-top. The Austop roof can Nick tells us he’s been blown away by all he happily concludes. Indeed, although
be easily erected in seconds, it’s highly wind the favourable comments his new Van has they’re both late arrivals to the exciting world
resistant and even with a mattress in place received. “Other VW Camper owners always of campervans Nick and Sue are keen to
if offers maximum comfort and space while make up for lost time and already have a
keeping out the elements. As you’d expect, number of exciting trips planned for 2022.

46 Camper&Bus

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