1958 Volkswagen Type 2 T1 'Peter Pitt Moto-Caravan'

Registration No: USK 762
Chassis No: 386699
MOT: Exempt

• A desirable UK Market 'Semaphore' Type 2, bought new by vendors father
• Finished in it's original colour scheme of 'Seagull Grey' over 'Mango Green'
• Benefitting from a substantial restoration with photo's of work on file
• Retains much of it's original 'Peter Pitt' fittings including the orignal gas lamp

Visiting Wolfsburg in 1946 to explore the possibility of becoming Volkswagen’s first international concessionaire, Dutch businessman Ben Pon was intrigued by a pared back, Type 1-derived parts-mover ‘plattewagen’ which he saw traversing the factory. Positing that the improvised hack could form the basis of another model line, Pon doodled a van with the driver and engine positioned above the front and rear axles respectively on April 23^rd 1947. Although his concept struck a chord with VW’s management, demand for the Type 1 (Beetle) was such that productionising the Type 2 (Bus) was not a priority. A prototype was eventually built and its successors refined via the wind tunnel at the Technical University of Braunschweig with the result that their drag coefficients tumbled from 0.75 to 0.44 (the Beetle / Type 1 was 0.48 by comparison). Greenlit on May 19^th 1949, the very first Type 2 rolled off the production line just under six months later. The initial Kombi and Commercial variants were subsequently joined by Microbus, Pick-Up and Ambulance derivatives. Nicknamed the ‘Split Screen’ or ‘Splittie’ on account of its distinctive, two-part, V-windscreen, the first iteration of the T1 lasted until 1967 in Germany.

Originally registered ‘LEE 259’, this extremely rare righthand drive Type 2 ‘pre-Canterbury’ Peter Pitt conversion was purchased new in 1958 by the vendor’s father. Acquired at a cost of £900 (then the price of two Minis) it was put to work as a school contract hire taxi and Private Hire vehicle. Specified as RHD, with semaphores, high-level brake lights, straight-up gearlever etc., and built in the midst of the Hanover factory’s changeover to the updated 1959 model, it consequently featured new style cargo doors with a recess for the handles and new style slash cut bumpers. Mango Green and Seagull Grey was a brand-new 1958 colour option remaining as a colour choice until 1963. In the late 1960s the vendor learned to drive in the VW, using it for holidays in Devon and Cornwall whilst trips to the Lake District and Scotland (including successful navigation of the Hardknott Pass, the steepest in the UK) proved its capabilities. By 1978, with 80,000 miles covered and needing mechanical work it was sold and replaced by a 1969 Devon two bay model. The new owner reconditioned the engine and used it for a few years before it was acquired by its third owner. He planned a full restoration but following stripping of the interior it remained barn-stored for the next decade. Discovered by its next keeper in 2019, it was finally treated to a thorough restoration following which it was purchased by our vendor - the original owner’s son.

Restored to original specification and colours with 6-volt electrics and new wiring harness, original gas light, original trim, seats, and door cards and now registered ‘USK 762’, there is even the original 2 burner hob. Unseen modifications include electronic ignition and flashing LED trafficator bulbs. Running standard ride height with 15” wheels, this possibly unique survivor in this colour scheme and specification would grace any collection.

For more information, please contact:
Oliver Fernyhough-Martin
oliver.fernyhough-martin@handh.co.uk
07483 361000