Trucks and Vans

To stand out amongst the sea of VW vans at the shows and camp sites this summer you either need a split screen so ridiculously awesome that everyone has to look at it or something from a completely different manufacturer. At the moment there is a very cool 1979 Toyota Hi-Ace camper van on eBay that would definitely be a welcome change across the camping grounds. Advert available here (may disappear at any time)

It is up on a ‘Make Offer’ listing at £3,750, which doesn’t seem a bad price for a fully fitted camper van that is definitely a complete considered a classic now. It has Tax until October 2011 but only one month remaining one the MOT, so could be worth giving that a very careful check over so you don’t get any nasty surprises in a few weeks time. You could possibly negotiate for the current owner to get a new MOT if he is sure it will fly through.

It is a 1600cc petrol engine that has covered a relatively tiny 60,000 miles and recently has had 4 new tyres, and had a complete service at 56,667 miles which included a new slave cylinder, new clutch and new exhaust system.

Camping wise it comes with an external tent to attach to the van to increase living space, it has a lift up roof, 1x double bed, 2x stretcher beds and cot area, 6 x 220v 3 pin sockets, sink that has an electric pump, gas/electric fridge, gas cooker and grill and even a portable toilet.

I always keep my eye out for campers because I really need one in my life but unfortunately I’m severely lacking in spare funds at the moment. Such a shame because this looks a proper beauty!

A few years ago I remember my Mum telling me about a competition she saw to win a Splitscreen VW Camper, that was named ‘The Magic Bus’ and was being raffled to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in partnership with VW Vans and The Who. Obviously I entered but nothing came of it and then it was a van that I expected to see being taken around the shows quite often, however it just seemed to disappear and I’ve never seen it again. I did think maybe someone had repainted it into a normal splitty but it would seem it is still around and was recently sold on by the winners of the competition.

This Tumblr put up the above picture with this paragraph attached:

Oh how i miss this camper van! My dad sold it last year for a 1969 camper van, this magic bus was owned by The Who back in the day and my mum and dad entered the competition to win it, and well … we did! I miss cruising around in the nice weather! and there my little doggy Nonny at the bottom <3

It is good to see it still around and it looks like the guy wanted to have a more subtle van if he chopped it in for a ’69 Camper instead.

I wonder if the new owner will be doing the show rounds with it? I hope so!