VW T2 Bay Window Transporter (1975)
Meet Brunhilda.
Or just ‘Hilda’ for short.
She is a VW T2 Bay Window from 1975 which once saw service on the streets of Frankfurt as an emergency service vehicle for the fire service, before being shipped to the UK and converted into a camper.
You don’t see many of these around anymore. She is super rare, and a real collectable. She is also in excellent condition for her age – I doubt you will find an original vehicle in better nick.
After only 3 short years on the job with the Frankfurt Fire Service, she was put into long term storage for 30 years. She was spotted in a warehouse outside Frankfurt, and shipped to the UK in 2008. Here she was lovingly converted into a camper-van by her previous owner. He did such a good job I’ve made very few adjustments in the 7 years I’ve had her.
Because she has been sat in a warehouse for most of her life, she has next to no rust on her (see below for details) and a very low milage. She has been driven to Switzerland and back by her previous owner, and with me has mainly pottered around the West Country.
She has most of her original parts and is mechanically very sound and is an absolute joy to drive. I count myself lucky when I hear horror stories from other VW owners. Hilda starts first time, every time and hums over nicely. A VW enthusiast once told me that the engine type was of a particular rare type but I’ve been unable to find out more.
The paintwork on this van is original. Its nearly half a century old and is a piece of living history. These fire service vehicles are rare as hens teeth as they are, but to see one with the original skin still on is fairly unique. It would be real a shame to restore or respray – in my opinion.
Hilda is a real conversation piece and people always smile and wave when you drive by, which puts you in a good mood.
And yes, the siren does work, before you ask. Although it is currently disconnected for legal reasons!
🚒 🚨
Brundhilda, by the way is the heroine of the same name from Germanic myth, who was rescued from a ring of fire by the hero Siegfried. Hilda is a bit of a fairy tale. It’s a shame to see her go, and while I’m in no rush to sell – it is time to upscale, so she needs to go.
The Conversion:
Made by a carpenter from pine and oak. The pieces slot together like a jigsaw. It takes a bit of getting used to, but is a great design. It takes me less than 5 minutes to turn it from bench seats and table, into a double bed. There is ample storage under the seats and in a small side cupboard. It’s very cute. The curtains were made by my mum. You can have them.
The heating is from a ‘Propex Heatsource’ Gas heater, with a gas bottle under the seat and a control dial mounted on the interior cab wall behind the drivers seat. It keeps you toasty warm on cold nights and can be used when the vehicle is driving.
The cooking facilities consist of a portable gas stove. I also keep a barbecue under the seat and have an electric cool box connected (not included).
For power there are twin 12V cigarette charger sockets behind the seats with USB ports.
Pros:
The van has its original paintwork!
The van has most of its original parts – one exception to this is the gear box which has been totally replaced (costing a heck of a lot). Assuming you don’t drive like an egg you will have no gear related issues for years to come.
the van has next to no rust (see below)
for the re-creationists out there – I do still have the original bus seating that was removed to make the camper conversion. They are pretty rusty.
Cons:
The van has it’s original paintwork. To me that’s her unique charm, but if you like your Bay shiny and immaculate then maybe Hilda is not the bus for you.
The van has had a tiny bit of filler. Just a touch on the bottom of the sliding door and a bit around the rear right lights. I’ve provided photos – its honestly hardly anything. Happened during lockdown when I couldn’t get to the van. Apart from that its all solid.
The fuel gauge is broken. Its a ‘reset job’ according to my mechanic, who quoted £150 approx to fix. I just haven’t had it done yet.
The button to operate the siren is missing. I’m trying to hunt down a replacement.
The Conversion:
Made by a carpenter from pine and oak. The pieces slot together like a jigsaw. It takes a bit of getting used to, but is a great design. It takes me less than 5 minutes to turn it from bench seats and table, into a double bed. There is ample storage under the seats and in a small side cupboard. It’s very cute. The curtains were made by my mum. You can have them.
The heating is from a ‘Propex Heatsource’ Gas heater, with a gas bottle under the seat and a control dial mounted on the interior cab wall behind the drivers seat. It keeps you toasty warm on cold nights and can be used when the vehicle is driving.
The cooking facilities consist of a portable gas stove. I also keep a barbecue under the seat and have an electric cool box connected (not included).
For power there are twin 12V cigarette charger sockets behind the seats with USB ports.
The conversion is ‘made not bought’ and converts from bench and table seating to a double bed. Ideally therefore it can sleep a couple. However, it could accommodate two children, one in the back and one on the from bench seating. So 2 – 4. But only 2 adults.
The contact details for this vehicle are no longer available because it has either sold or the listing has expired.
Insurance options are available through our partner, Ripe Insurance.
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