Classic camper?

[EricPolymath]

I want to buy a classic car and a camper van but as I can't afford both I think I'll have to compromise and buy a classic camper.

The parking space available means that I can't have anything that is much bigger than an estate car and it will only need to sleep one anyway. The only vehicle that I can think of is a VW Type 25 - probably one of the later ones with water cooled turbo diesel engine.

Has anyone any other suggestions or experience of Type 25s?

[kevin]

My dad had one until 2 years or so ago
It was quite a decent vehicle, gave good mileage from the td engine.
was easy to service and parts were readily available.
He mainly used it as a day van, for which it was ideally set up with the usual fridge and cooking fittings, his also has a built in water tank for fresh water.

If it tickles your fancy then go for it, easily restorable should the need arise

kev

[TerryG]

There are various camper conversions based on the series 1/2/2a/3 land rovers. Nobody would turn their nose up at one in a car show, they have petrol and diesel options and they will take you across the sahara should you decide to.

[JPB]

I want to buy a classic car and a camper van but as I can't afford both I think I'll have to compromise and buy a classic camper.

The parking space available means that I can't have anything that is much bigger than an estate car and it will only need to sleep one anyway. The only vehicle that I can think of is a VW Type 25 - probably one of the later ones with water cooled turbo diesel engine.

Has anyone any other suggestions or experience of Type 25s?

Yes, both of the above: Watch out for VWs that were cheaply converted to the TDI engine and have the oil pump pickup from the donor Passat (or Audi) still in place. In cases where the engine has been fitted that way, then it'll run fine as long as the oil level is on the line and you don't throw it around in the bends. However, once it's used a drop or two of oil, the level will be too low for the oil pump to reach and the shells will pick up and run, requiring at the very least a regrind to the ends & mains, new shells and the conversion-spec oil pump that it should have had before being fitted to the van, which ideally requires a sump mod to suit, though that's optional if you have faith in the gasket.
The ones with the original 1.6 n/a engine tend to be very slow but are generally much more reliable and besides; who buys a motorhome to get there quickly?
I'd go for an Escort, Bedford Beagle, or something A60 or Marina-based from Torcars as a classic alternative to the VW. They're all much more car-sized and even the petrol ones (most in these cases) will cost no more - possibly less - to fuel. Or there's the Tandy Fox; Galvanised chassis, easy parts through the kitten Register, bombproof engines, tighter turning circle than a Hack and only really let down by their tall sides which do make trips on windy days a bit exciting, not that we've ever had to deal with one that fell over.

[rich.]

have you thought about a bedford ca or an early transit or sherpa? what about a small caravan & car to tow it??

[tractorman]

Or an Austin 1/2t van conversion - there was one on eBay about six months ago and it looked great.

A Bedford CA would be a real classic, or if space is REALLY tight, how about a nice Rascal?! There again, Hammond rolled a Rascal, so perhaps they aren't that safe...

This is where JPB will come in and mention Clarkson and Reliant in the same sentence!

[JPB]

[SirTainleyBarking]

There are various camper conversions based on the series 1/2/2a/3 land rovers. Nobody would turn their nose up at one in a car show, they have petrol and diesel options and they will take you across the sahara should you decide to.

A series Ambulance conversion can work well. I do think the body is a little oversized for the vehicle, but that's my opinion only. For the real go anywhere camper go for a FC101.
If you do go for the FC101, be prepared to either buy a lot of petrol for that V8, or stick some large LPG tanks on there.
Failing that, plenty of TDi's out there to plop straight in

[EricPolymath]

Thanks for all the suggestions but the VW is the only one appealing to me at the moment. Is the 1.6 turbo diesel the best engine to go for or 1.9 petrol ? As has been said you don't buy a camper van to get anywhere quickly but on the other hand I do want to get where I'm going within a reasonable time!

[Ian]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141192961524

Here is an unusual option, I've worked on this and its in lovely condition