Our 1963 Split Screen Volkswagen Camper Van Story Part Two

Written by Aidan O'Rourke
2004-07-15

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

The sitting and sleeping area had been superbly restored and fitted out by the previous owners.

Everyone who sat in her was impressed by the quality and charm of the restoration. The interior was all original and in very good condition. The previous owner had added manually operated reversing lights and a courtesy reading lamp.

Even the radio was an original Neckermann 6 volt model! The clock was original too, and still worked.

The engine was a 1600cc 12 volt, powered from two 6 volt batteries connected in series. Everything ran on 12 volts, except the radio, windscreen wipers, interior light and indicators, which were connected to one of the 6 volt batteries.

The following week, we set off for the Continent, but on the way to Dover, Ann was called away to to the Philippines due to a bereavement.

The Van also had problems - a serious oil leak, and a faulty starter motor. Using the breakdown cover provided as part of my insurance (Heritage from Norton Insurance, Birmingham) I had her transported back home. I decided to have the engine reconditioned, and the starter motor repaired.

A small garage in Cheshire undertook the job, and after two weeks, she was ready.

I took the van to Wales with my friend Andy and his son Tom. Here we can see the attractive pop-up roof.

The seats convert into a bed using a wooden panel which also doubles up as a camping table. The Van could sleep four.

She seemed to be running OK. The engine was running superbly but that starter motor still wasn't quite right, and there was a smell of engine fumes coming from the heating vents.

Tom loved the van, and wished he could drive it. This photo was taken in North Wales.

I took the van back to the garage for an oil change and final check-up. They put in another starter motor.

The problem now seemed to be solved.

The next day, I met Ann at Heathrow and we set off on our holiday two weeks later than planned.

We drove through Belgium and Holland, where the brakes failed! The starter motor was also being troublesome.

Using my continental breakdown recovery, I had the van transported on the back of a truck to the local VAG garage, where they fixed the brakes (for £260). They weren't able to fix the starter.

We continued into Germany, Denmark, back into Germany and on to Berlin.

The Van had plenty of admirers in Germany, where she was manufactured 33 years previously.

I found driving on the Autobahns often frustrating, due to the speed and acceleration limitations of the vehicle. Lorry drivers were often impatient. She was very slow on hills. I missed the power, safety and reliability of a modern vehicle.

On our return journey we were washed out by torrential rain in Holland.

After an overnight stop, the starter motor finally packed in completely, and I had to push start her single-handedly in the pouring rain! It took three goes, and we made the ferry just in time!

Back home, we put the Van away in the garage.

Some weekends, we went on excursions. This photo was taken near the Trough of Bowland, Lancashire.

Generally she performed well, but the starter was still temperamental. We also had a financial problem - I was studying full time, and needed money...

Part One | Part Two | Part Three