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Market Finds: Hit The Countryside In These Cute Vintage Campers

Hit The Countryside In These Cute Vintage Campers

By Petrolicious Productions
July 7, 2015
10 comments

One of our most popular Market Finds was on vintage vans, and we thought it was time to revisit the subject, with a twist: what is the most desirable vintage camper van? Not surprisingly, it was difficult to whittle the list down to only a few!

The car: 1968 Commer Auto Sleeper
Price: £10,995
Location: UK
Seller’s Info: Click here

It’s not everyday that you see a 1968 Commer Autosleeper for sale, and certainly not one that seems to be in such nice shape. Originally used as a postal van, the Commer van was quickly pressed into service for other uses, including camper conversions. Like a Volkswagen Bus wearing a Westfalia conversion, the Commer won’t win you any speed trophies—which is never the point of camping, anyway. The seller of this example says that it’s in great mechanical condition and is ready for its next enthusiastic owner.

The car: 1973 VW Type 2 Bay Window Camper
Price: £25,000
Location: UK
Seller’s Info: Click here

There are a large number of Volkswagen Westfalias out there, which says to us that they’re not only extremely reliable but also a very safe bet for collectors or enthusiasts who want to involve an entire family in the hobby. This example is said to have been featured in a magazine and the seller’s description is impressive in its depth. It’s perhaps a little on the pricey side, but when non-camper versions of this vehicle have sold for at or near $100,000 U.S. on occasion, paying less than half that for a more useful camper seems like a good buy…

As always, please leave your favorite vintage campers in the comments—sadly, it’s often difficult to find obscure models for sale. We’re sure there are some old Citröens, Fiats, Renaults, Bedfords, and others out there just waiting for a new owner.

Tags Campers/ Commer/ This or That
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Leo Nid
Leo Nid
8 years ago

Having owned numerous classic campers over more decades than I care to count, my 1973/74 Australian Bedford CF/Dolphin camper is by far my favourite on all counts. It’s great to drive (unlike the British CFs, the Australian-built examples are powered by the reliable, flexible locally-produced General Motors Holden 6-cylinder petrol engine, in this case the 202 c.i. (3.3 litre).

This vehicle is comfortable to drive, wonderful to live in, is beautifully built and has classic coolness in abundance.

The full story, including the extensive restoration, can be seen at http://www.grouseguitars.com.au/dolph.

‘Dolph’ is used very regularly, so give us a wave when you see us on the road!

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JB21
JB21
8 years ago

Good god those things are seriously expensive!! I just get nostalgic thinking about days when I lived with my girlfriend in VW Bus…I had a split window first, that I bought for $1500, the rust was killing the front end, so ended up swapping it with 72, had it for a long time till rust also got too bad. No, not back in the 70s, that was in the late 90s. See, inflation is totally mad.

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aircooled1
aircooled1
8 years ago

Here’s mine:[IMG]http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j325/ultral1te/fc9d705a87d63cb639d76d24a6e8dbd0_zps61efd8cf.jpg[/IMG]

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aircooled1
aircooled1
8 years ago

My 1969 VW Westfalia is my favorite but there are so many that would be fun to own.

Check out a book titled “My Cool Campervan” which focuses on the vintage European campervan market, a very cool book.

This brochure says it all about owning something like this: http://www.aircooledcrazy.com/interior/files/1971_Brochure.pdf

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Guishe
Guishe
8 years ago

I hope now the pic shows up!

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Guishe
Guishe
8 years ago

Yeah,
Prices are crazy but those vehicles are a pleasure to own.
I personally have a 1968 Dodge Van (I am attaching a pic) and it is so nice to drive around and enjoy driving just the driving experience. I took it to several cruise nights, camping or biking trips, or simply commuting. I got this van through BaT and I even had a follow-up story with them
http://bringatrailer.com/2014/11/10/bat-success-story-my-three-bat-purchases/
I love when I see articles such as the one published here.

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Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago

Ahhh the Beetle Bus Westy ! A welcome relief from yesterdays 70’s discussion even if it is a 70’s Westy . But isn’t it amazing [ a friend in Brazil finds it utterly dumbfounding ] how expensive these things have become considering that only ten years ago could of been had for less than $5k ? Once again the dreaded ‘ Collector ‘ status rearing its ugly head

Eeesh ! The conversion just hit me . $38,400 ! Eeesh !

Oh well . Lets hope this one finds its way into an ‘ enthusiasts ‘ hands that’ll use it as the manufacture intended rather than into the clutches of some collector who’ll stuff it away in some warehouse/museum . Westy’s deserve to be used . Practical , fun , reliable and all you’ll ever need for some serious cross country jaunts and adventures . Trust me . I know . Family had one since I was five . And I used one thru out the 70’s and most of the 80’s thru 45 of the lower 48 , Alaska most of Canada and parts of Mexico

Now if only VW-Audi would see the wisdom of creating a Westy Beetle Bus for the 2010’s ! Guaranteed from Boomers like myself wanting something small , fun , practical , vaguely nostalgic and utilitarian to boarders [ skate,snow and surf ] to Mt Bikers , climbers , back country hikers etc etc not to mention a whole host of ex and current hippies trying to relive the dream .. the demand is there just waiting to be fulfilled and I’m all in if they do !

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Matthew Lange
Matthew Lange
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

They do although from your question I assume they are not offering it in the States
https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/range/camper-vans

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Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

Thats the T5 , no we don’t [ it falls under the ‘ Chicken Tax ‘ category ] and that aint it . Its too large , too modern and just a Minivan conversion based on a Ford platform with a VWee emblem on its snout This ..

http://vanagon.com/media/concept/index.htm

… is what I’m talking about and what Beetle Bus fans across the globe have been screaming for ever since VW showed this thing not once but twice over the past decade [ the 2nd time in a slightly altered guise ] yet never putting it into production . They keep promising they will [ they just did it again last year ] but will they really ever ?

Living proof if you’ve seen the stats showing the pent up demand that modern auto makers do not listen to their customers in the slightest

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Francois Bozonnet
Francois Bozonnet
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

my 69 bus looks like a time capsule to me but for the daily i use my 2013 vw california camper.
but if i was rich enough i probably try to buy a westafalia splitbus SO23 or SO42…

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