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The market in classic cars is booming like never before. Paul Hardiman, a former deputy editor of Classic & Sports Car magazine and one of the sector's most experienced journalists, picks five of the very best Click to view Top 5 Classic Cars.
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Best For Surfers (VW type 2) |
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 Iconic transport for generations of surfer dudes since the Sixties, the VW Bus isn't just about style – you can sleep in it too. The VW camper conversion is a truly functional tool with fold-out beds, cooker, fridge, plenty of storage space and sometimes a "pop-top" or lifting roof section to provide extra headroom. |
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| There's one major question: Bay or Split, Sir? Aficionados go for the split-screen early versions, made up until 1967, though these have tiny, low-powered engines and limited top speed because of low gearing. "Bays", so called because of their large one-piece curved windscreen, are more numerous, easier to drive and cheaper, though still cost up to £8,000 for a decent one. |
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 As a basic guide, on Splits originality is prized and the more windows it has, the rarer and more valuable it is – the ultimate being the 23-window Samba. Celeb chef Jamie Oliver famously drove his in the television series Jamie's Italy, and actor Martin Clunes is another fan, paying his own money at auction in 2003 for an immaculate, low-mileage Bay camper. |
Conversions |
VW never sold them with beds in: they were supplied bare and kitted out by specialist firms. Westfalia made the first, in 1952: find one and you'll pay handsomely. In the UK, firms such as Devon, Dormobile and Danbury did the work. Later vans will sport a multitude of custom bits; many have been lowered and Empi five-spoke wheels are prized.
"If there’s rust, you’ll be able to see it – or the bog trying to hide it," says specialist Alan Schofield. "The hardest bits to fix are the front panel and down the A-posts, and around the step and sliding door channel."
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The Bus From Brazil |
 You can even buy a new one, built by VW Brazil and converted by Danbury in the UK.
The basic price is £21,500, but you can add at least £5,000 on top of that if you specify desirable options such as alloy wheels, interior appointments and any colour other than white. If you want to try one out, Cornwall Campers has four older Bays; Snailtrail rents a fleet of seven new Danburys.
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Pros - Room for your surfboard, and a kitchen sink; Functional and fun, can be fitted out in almost endless variations
Cons - Early models, in particular, are not the quickest way to travel |
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Typical Prices - £3,000-£30,000
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