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A rare and beautifully presented early Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Panel Van, built on 1st August 1960 (the 1961 Model Year) in Germany and supplied new to San Antonio, Texas, USA. Crucially, this is a genuine factory M215 specification example, confirming LHD and with cargo doors on both the left and right from new and with a US market special configuration package, which included bullet type front indicators — a highly sought-after and seldom-seen configuration.
Strong provenance is supported by:
All helping provide this van with a level of history, rarely found with commercial Type 2s.
Having lived much of its life in the dry San Antonio climate, the van returned to the UK 2013, first registered in the UK in 2016 and has undergone an extensive restoration and sympathetic retro-inspired build. The result is a striking, usable and exceptionally well-finished example, that retains its early commercial character while benefiting from carefully chosen upgrades for modern driving.
Finished in an elegant two-tone colour scheme, its lowered ride height combined with polished SST Radar alloys and modern low profile tyres, give it that sought after more modern stance, whilst opening safari windows front and back, bumpers with overriders and plenty of chrome trim, add classic charm. Overall it has real presence.
Inside, the professionally retrimmed tan and white interior features a bench seat fitted front cabin, walk-through cargo area, with storage, quality flooring and a rock and roll seat/bed, making it both practical and beautifully appointed.
In addition, along with two 12 volt outlets, the cargo area has been equipped with a multi speaker and amplifier set-up, paired with a retro look Bluetooth enabled radio in the front cabin, fitted with twin USB connector leads.
Mechanical upgrades include a Dan Simpson-built 1776cc engine with twin 40 Dellorto carburettors, 123 electronic ignition, Vintage Speed stainless exhaust, Freeway Flyer gearbox, Creative Engineering front beam, front disc brakes, Independent Rear Suspension conversion and uprated Concept Racing fuel tank.
Registered as an Historic Vehicle and exempt from road tax, MOT and ULEZ charges, this exceptional Type 2 still has a valid MOT to May 2027. With just over 8,000 miles since restoration and engine build, plus a fresh June service, it is ready to enjoy immediately.
Backed by extensive restoration records, invoices, supporting documentation and its official Birth Certificate, this rare factory split-window double cargo-door panel van combines standout provenance, with tasteful upgrades and superb presentation. As such it represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most distinctive and desirable early commercial Type 2s currently available.
The first-generation Volkswagen Type 2 T1, known as the Microbus, Splitscreen or Splittie, was produced from 1950 to 1967 and is recognised by its split windscreen, front “V” design and prominent VW badge. This 1960s example features key post-1955 updates, including the smaller rear engine lid, separate rear tailgate, relocated fuel tank and distinctive roof overhang with fresh-air vent.
Finished in attractive two-tone grey and white, it is fitted with US-specification bullet indicators and headlights converted to a UK beam pattern. A polished aluminium Beltline Trim Deluxe with inset black pinstripe, runs around the van and into the front “V” and provides a striking separation between the grey and white paint finish. Additional chrome sill finishers, chrome bumper trims to body-coloured bumpers and overriders and towel rails, add to the period look. This is further enhanced by opening “Safari” front and rear windows, which also provide useful cabin airflow on hot summer days. Finally, slide-open front windows with quarter lights, chrome extended-arm mirrors, a period external radio aerial and windscreen wiper retainers, complete the classic look.
The paintwork presents very well following a pre-sales detail, with only minor age-related marks, consistent with an older restoration that has covered relatively few miles since completion.
The interior is finished throughout in an attractive tan and white theme using easy-to-maintain vinyl. The front bench seat and cargo-area rock and roll seat/ bed are trimmed in tan with white piping and quilted inserts, this is complemented by predominantly white door cards, side panelling and headliner with tan inserts. Overall, the interior presents in excellent order.
The cargo area includes practical storage cupboards with built-in speakers and a bottle opener, along with easy-clean wooden flooring.
Entertainment is provided by a retro-look “Model Two” Bluetooth radio mounted in the dashboard, with twin USB leads for smartphone connection. Sound comes through a JL Audio ZR 650-CSi system with 6.5 inch woofers, 1 inch tweeters and twin amplifiers mounted on and inside the rock and roll seat/bed base, plus additional JL woofers mounted into the storage cupboards and twin 12v outputs.
The cabin dashboard is simple with just one main dial for speed and mileage and two ancillary after-market dials for fuel and oil temperature. Indicators are on the column stalk, with lights and windscreen wipers operated by pull and twist buttons on the dashboard. The front cabin is dominated by a white Flat 4 banjo style steering wheel with a sun and moon motif horn push, operating a delightful “klaxon” sounding horn. Finally, there is a dash board mounted detachable cupholder and phone mount.
The engine was built in 2017 by the late Dan Smith, a well-known UK VW engine builder.
The engine is now a 1776cc and features:
Please follow the link below to see the engine running before being fitted to the van.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1614571035476197/permalink/1822041308062501/
The engine idles and runs well, pulling cleanly from low revs without faltering and has plenty of torque. The exhaust note is lovely too.
The van has been fitted with a “Freeway Flyer” gearbox, a modified transmission designed to lower the engine's RPMs at high cruising speeds, making motorway driving significantly quieter and more efficient over the standard set-up.
Front suspension is a Creative Engineering (“CE”) “Weedeater” front beam, with lowered suspension via CE drop spindles and shortened springs. The rear suspension is a CE Independent Rear Suspension set-up.
Finally, the van is fitted with an upgraded Concept racing fuel tank.
All modifications, if perhaps not for the purist, provide useful upgrades to both everyday drivability, enjoyability and useability, to what is a now a 69 year old VW van.
The car is equipped with polished SST Radar alloy wheels, fitted with Yokohama Parada Spec 2 195/50/R15 tyres at the front and Yokohama Blu Earth ES 195/50/R15 tyres at the rear. All tyres show significant tread left.
As part of the restoration the van was converted to a Custom & Speed Parts (“CSP”) front disc brake set-up, with a CSP master cylinder. Drum brakes are fitted at the rear.
The spare wheel is located behind the front bench, it is the same size as the SST radar alloy wheels, but is in steel and is fitted with a 195/50/R15 Yokohama tyre, which appears unused.
The car is supplied with its current V5C registration document and a clear HPI vehicle check certificate. It also contains the documents relating to the importing of the van in 2013.
The V5C states the manufacture date as 1959, but the official VW Heritage Certificate – Birth Certificate, confirms the actual build date as 1st August 1960. This likely reflects the 1959 date used in the import documents, before the chassis no. (VIN) details were officially decoded on 16/06/2022.
The van has both its stamped VIN and the M-Plate (Option Code Plate), which align with the details on the Birth Certificate.
The file contains the current MOT certificate, it also contains service invoices that identify 11 services to date from 2017, when the new engine was fitted.
The invoice history that comes with the van covers both the restoration and ongoing maintenance and upgrades, that have occurred following the restoration.
For ease of navigation, one file has been established for the invoices relating to the restoration begun in 2014 and largely completed by 2016. A second file of invoices separated into years, covers parts and invoice maintenance from 2016 to current date.
There is another file for the Creative Engineering upgrades and a file for the sound system specifications, installation and operating instructions.
Finally the van comes with a set of ignition and door keys and a tool for opening the locking mechanism in the rear engine cover.
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy of the vehicle descriptions and information, some inaccuracies may occur. It is important that you do not rely on this information but check with Montpellier Motor Cars Limited about any items which may affect your decision to buy this vehicle, as well as examine the vehicle and check the accuracy of the information before purchasing any vehicle. We cannot accept any liability arising from any errors in the data provided.
Whilst every effort is made to represent details accurately on our Web Site, variations or errors may occur and so the information contained herewith does not constitute an offer for sale of any particular vehicle, accessory or specification.
