1976 Bay window camper ONV 506P-
Resplendent in its original Marino Yellow (L20a) this P22 LHD model was exported to Georgia before spells in Nevada City in Utah and Auburn and Long Beach in California before being imported to the UK in 2001. It was bought by a young couple who took it on a 5,000 mile tour of Europe in 2001. Before emigrating to Australia they sold it to Trevor Hopkins who has owned it since. The van has been used for camping holidays and trips to VW shows since, including the French Pyrenees to watch ‘Le Tour’, trips to Catalonia and Northern Spain, a tour of Scotland including the most northerly east and west points Dunnet Head and Cape Wrath, Dartmoor, Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Last year they completed a tour of the Republic and Northern Ireland with Trevor’s daughter and her family, now VW camper van owners themselves.
In 2003 the van had an engine rebuild, the temperamental fuel injection system was
replaced with a pair of Weber ICT32s, a Petronix electronic ignition and custom built
stainless steel exhaust system. During this work it was noticed that the W code on
the engine was different to the GD code on the fan shroud. In the USA it had been
fitted with 1970, 1700cc, 80hp Porsche 914 engine, a common upgrade in the USA with
their long straight roads. No wonder it reaches 70mph with ease and cruises at 60mph.
Heavy duty front and rear anti-
The Berlin interior was restored in 2004 retaining the period look while adding some modern features. A new kitchen cabinet was built based on a customised unit from a Deluxe Campmobile (P27) with a two burner hob and a sink. A modern 12v fridge was added along with fluorescent lights and a decent sound system. New interior upholstery using reclaimed original Westfalia fabric, two new front seat covers from 'GoWesty' in the USA and new curtains were also fitted. The van has a number of factory supplied rare optional extras such as the upholstered storage box/trash container that fits between the front seats; a small removable table that fits to the dash; and even a mosquito net that fits into the rear hatch for hot summer nights.
By late 2014 a threatened MoT failure for rust in the rear wheel arches meant a full
body restoration was required. Most of the bottom quarter and rear corners were replaced.
A new rear hatch and sliding door were fitted and then the whole van was resprayed
in its original colour. The pop-
Although previously stock height SSP GT 5-
The van was featured in VW Camper and Commercial magazine in February 2017. The editor David Eccles described it as “...an immaculate 76 Campmobile finished in stunning Marino Yellow and yellow plaid interior; everything is intact and pristine."
