1976 Volkswagen T2, 5-Berth Riviera Conversion

As much as we hate it, the time is right and we have decided to sell June, our beloved family camper. We’ve enjoyed so many wonderful trips, but we no longer have the time to give her the run-outs she deserves and it’s simply not right for her to spend her life locked up in the garage.

She is a 1976 Riviera conversion imported to the UK from California in 2010. We still have the original US number plate and the log book from 1976. The first UK owner had her undersealed as soon as she arrived and we have maintained this practice. This has ensured that the chassis and floorpans are in excellent condition. The bus has NO holes and has NEVER been welded. He also had all the fuel pipes replaced right up to each injector, which is a must as old pipes will fail with modern petrol and cause engine fires. This is an expensive and fiddly job, and one we are grateful we didn’t have to complete! He also had a petronix electronic ignition fitted and an engine isolation kill switch installed so June can’t be nicked! In fact the only time she didn’t start first time we called out the AA and discovered we’d forgotten to put the kill switch in.

The owner prior to us (we are the third in the UK) fitted: a proper intelligent split charge system and new 110 volt leisure battery; replaced the passenger door seal with a genuine German seal, replaced window scrapers with genuine German parts; fitted a new German ignition switch; fitted front inertia real seat belts; fitted new US spec monza exhaust; fitted super-comfy piped cream leather seats from an MGF; fitted new flooring and re-upholstered the ¾ rock-and-roll bed. Since we took ownership in 2015 we’ve added to the list of upgrades. We had her lowered to improve the ride quality and added four black SSP GT 5 Spoke Alloy wheels; upgraded to a T-Handle Button CSP LHD Shifter and fitted a 15 inch Mountney Traditional Woodrim steering wheel; replaced the front door cards; added thermos-liner to the cab and fitted cab mats, parcel shelf, door handles and grab handles.

Engine
We must confess that our engine knowledge is very limited, but the fabulous chap that has worked on our bus since we bought it assures us it is excellent. It is a two litre engine (runs on unleaded) fitted with Bosch L-tronic fuel injection. She starts on the button, whatever the weather (as long as you remember the kill switch!) and also returns high 20’s to the gallon. She’s pretty nippy for a camper in her mid-forties and we’ve been known to touch 70 on the motorway!

Bodywork
As you can see from the pictures she has what is known as ‘desert bloom’ paintwork and the patina of over 30 years in the baking dry Californian heat. We have never painted her because we love her original look, she’s pretty unique, and aging gracefully!
Internally

The conversion is a Riviera, which is basically an American Westy – Westfalia couldn’t ship them to the US quick enough in the 70’s, so they began to make their own version. It’s not common, at all, in the UK, but it’s a brilliant conversion style. The pop top goes straight up, which gives loads of room, with a full width double bed in the roof. There is a standard ¾ rock-and-roll bed and a hammock which fits across the front cab. So she sleeps, and seats, five in total. The original fridge still works perfectly, as does the two ring gas-burner. The ‘mains’ electrics are excellent, with a standard electric hook-up feed in the engine bay.
There will always be a few bits that need some work, for example one of the zips in the pop top is broken (we have used sailing tape to keep it closed, which has kept us warm and dry), and the buddy seat could do with being re-covered.

Included in the sale is a Reimo drive away awning (£300 new – we’ve only used a couple of times, it’s a really good compact awning with a removable bedroom compartment), and a removable bike rack, which takes three bikes.

We’ve had her serviced and MOT’d every year (except during COVID-19 lockdown) since she joined our family, and have complete records of all the work that we and the previous owner have had completed. The next MOT is due in July of this year.

One thing we haven’t got round to doing is registering her as a historic vehicle – which is daft really. We have everything that you need to complete this, including a ‘birth certificate’ from VW confirming the date she rolled off the factory line.

I think the photos included cover pretty much everything, but if you would like to see anything more specific please do shout.

I realised I’ve probably said far too much, but she is such a good solid (and beautiful) bus it’s very hard to not wax lyrical. We’ll be so sad to see her go, but it will be lovely for another family to make their own magical memories in her!