10. The high-tech VW Camper Van of the future?
Volkswagen is planning to debut a latter-day full-electric van in 2022 named the I.D. Buzz that will come wrapped in a modern interpretation of Microbus’ iconic styling. An outdoorsy version has been teased, but not announced, though VW did unveil a cargo-carrying concept version appropriately called the I.D. Buzz Cargo. If it in fact goes into production, and barring VW beating them to the proverbial punch with a production model, we would expect to see a few enterprising individuals custom-convert the cargo carrier as the camper van of the future.
9. One of the last Microbus camper vans built
While German production of the much-loved first-generation Volkswagen Type 2 – also known as the Microbus – officially ended after the 1967 model year, it soldiered on in select markets, including Latin America and Africa. The Bus, including the Camper Van variant, continued production in Brazil until the final model rolled off the assembly line on December 31, 2013. Yes, 2013. That likely makes used versions less than a decade old plentiful, but you’d have to travel far afield to find one, and driving it home could prove difficult.
8. A Tesla-powered classic camper
We’ve seen many cars converted to battery power, but this electrified VW T3 Camper Van is a standout ride. The French couple behind the YouTube Electric Vehicle World Tour, Alexandra (the architect) and Remi (the engineer) spent six months outfitting a T3 nicknamed "Nano" with a Tesla motor and battery modules from a California-based supplier. The couple plans to take the van around the world to promote sustainable energy, and their exploits are, as one might guess, documented on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
7. Sorry, you missed out on this affordable VW Camper
Earlier in 2019, we looked at this adorable VW mini motorhome up for sale, listed at an eminently affordable $16,500 (about £13k in today's money). It seemed nicely restored with mechanical updates and camper-focused additions that included a full kitchen, a sink and water pump, and custom furniture. Unfortunately, it resided in São Paulo, Brazil, and while that may be a deal breaker for some, apparently a number of avid VW enthusiasts inquired about shipping it abroad.
6. Would you believe a sideways VW Camper Van?
Back in 2017, this eccentric VW Camper Van dubbed the Trippy Tippy Hippy Van participated in the annual oddball 24 Hours of LeMons race that’s limited to vehicles valued at $500 or less. And yes, it’s running on its side, or at least it looks that way. Custom crafted by a LeMons regular named Jeff Bloch, it’s a 1970s Volkswagen van body that’s been mounted sideways atop a 1988 Volkswagen Rabbit (aka MKI Golf in Europe). As if that’s not enough, it’s 1.8-litre engine was harvested from a VW GTI.
5. A Microbus camper comes with a sectional sofa
This little gem did not come from VW via Westfalia, but is rather a customized 1967 split-window Microbus, with the conversion performed by a small Portland-based company called Zenbox Design. Its custom-designed interior can accommodate two campers comfortably and features additional storage space and a sectional sofa of sorts.
4. Everything about this VW Lego Camper van is brilliant
Just about everything can and is being made out of Lego bricks these days, including this life-size VW T2 Transporter Camper Van. It was displayed at a leisure and travel fair earlier this year in Munich, Germany. It includes all the expected amenities, including a pop-up roof, full bricked-out kitchen, and even a sliding door. It took certified Lego master model makers Rene Hoffmeister and Pascal Lenhard – two individuals with far more skill and patience than mere mortals could muster – six weeks and 400,000 Lego blocks to build.
3. Westfalia Camper for retro outdoors adventures
If you plan to visit the Pacific Northwest for outdoorsy activities, be aware that a Vancouver-Based company called Honest Camper maintains a small fleet of classic VW Type 2 Westfalia vans as rentals. They’re fully brought up-to-date and can accommodate four adults. They come with a two-burner propane stove, a sink with cold water, a refrigerator/freezer, bedding, dining utensils, and assorted camping gear. The vans come powered by a later-model 2.5-litre Ford engine for the sake of added power, not to mention reliability. Rentals cost the UK equivalent of about £120 off-season and £175 during the summer months.
2. The GTI of VW Camper Vans
Probably the last thing Volkswagen would ever attempt is to create a sporty GTI version of its otherwise heavy and slab-like Transporter. But you can acquire one – if you live here in the U.K., that is – that at least looks somewhat like a GTI on the inside. British camper-van-conversion company Vanworx can fit a T6 Transporter with tartan upholstery featuring the same "Clark Plaid" pattern you’d traditionally find in a Golf GTI. It’s loaded up with niceties like swiveling heated front seats, two beds, two gas burners, a refrigerator/freezer, a rooftop tent and a diesel-fuelled cabin heater.
1. The current VW Camper
Indeed, the venerable VW Camper Van lives on despite being named the Grand California. It’s built and sold by the German manufacturer’s commercial vehicles division, and is based on the tall-roofed T6 Transporter. It’s loaded with everything including the kitchen sink, which means it comes with two sleeping compartments, a stove, a refrigerator, power outlets, and a shower in the back supported by 30-gallon water tank.
It comes powered by a turbocharged 2-litre engine, with all-wheel-drive included. The rolling equivalent of one of those tiny houses you see on TV, a base Grand California starts at around £46,000, though it can get prohibitively pricey when loaded up.
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