Hermann, the German (obvs!) LHD Carthago Malibu; genuine factory-fit campervan

2001 T4 Camper ‘Hermann’ (300k Km/186k miles): £9,000

We bought Hermann as a renovation project for adventures this summer, but we’re now moving overseas with work so don’t have the time to get the work done. He is a great camper and we’re sad to see him go. Once done, he’ll look amazing and is a rare factory-fit model with only 3 previous owners including the original dealership. Thanks for looking!

The Good

Lots. This is a genuine factory-build camper and not a conversion; the German information stickers and EU plug socket add to his originality. There’s a full T4 workshop manual, plus the Carthago Malibu manual (although it’s in German!). There’s also a stack of quite interesting historical paperwork that the previous owners kept, including the original guarantee certificate, an original ADAC (German version of AA) membership and also some British Forces Germany documents (BFG no longer exists – all previous owners were Army Officers).

It’s a LHD German model: 5-speed manual, T4 long-nose, with the more sought-after 2.5Tdi engine (ACV 75KW variant) with Caravelle-style bumper. After buying him, we noticed he’d failed some MOTs over the past 10 years, with oil leaks mentioned several times. To rectify, we’ve just paid nearly £2.8k to have the following fixed/replaced:

• Oil sump and sump gasket
• Oil pump
• EGR Valve
• Front suspension ball joints and link bushes (both L & R, upper & lower)
• Front brake pipes
• Timing belt tensioner water pump kit
• Aux drive belt
• Injection pump belt
• Front brake discs and pads
• Rear pads
• Brake hose and full brake fluid change
* handbrake cable replaced

The interior is in very good condition, given the age, and is all original. Pop-top is in excellent working condition – the ‘bed’ has a zig-zag folding mechanism, so you can stand up in the van during the day.

I found two of these campers on eBay Germany – both refurbished but selling for ~ €20k!
https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/vw-t4-wohnmobil-carthago-2-5tdi-malibu-klima/2289226452-216-1651

Features:
• 2-person bed and pop-top bedroom make Hermann a 4 Berth camper
• Fridge that runs on gas, leisure battery or electric hook-up
• 2 ring gas hob
• Sink, which is fed from jerry cans via the electric pump
• The shower tap can be fed through the window to let you shower/clean kit outside
• Table folds out next to bench seat – the front seats both rotate
• Seat in the back (uses the wheel arch) for quick kit-changes
• Diesel heater (with thermostat) for colder months
• Several cubby holes for storage
• Electric front windows and wing mirrors
• Dual blinds in the rear: insect mesh and foil (there are also curtains)
• Retro-fit radio has USB socket
• Awning rail (there’s a Westfield 300 Awning included)
• Internal night light

There’s also a bike rack, which I took off

The Bad

• Brake disc warning light is on (mechanic said the brakes are fine – when the rear disc needs to be replaced, the sensor can be reset – OK’d at MOT Aug 22)
• A couple of upholstery seams need re-stitching
• There’s a hole in one of the Air Conditioning pipes in the engine compartment, so it won’t hold gas and isn’t working as a result (the actual mechanism works and it blows air, just not cold)

The Ugly

• Bodywork and respray quoted @ £3.5K (factored into the price):
o Several dents and scuffs to bodywork
o Some scuffs on bumper
o Front arches need to be replaced/welded
o Sills at front need to be replaced/welded
o Full respray will have him looking brilliant again