I think European road trips are much more fun in a Bay. (Although I have a Subaru conversion I still feel an attachment to my van that you probably won't get with a modern van)
I’d also vote for t2 with Subaru engine. T5’s alright though but won’t have the charm. Ford transits I hear are easy to steal.
Several people have mentioned the Subaru. As a newbie, I have to ask why? What advantage does it give? (I have Googled, and found how much it might cost, and how it might be done, etc. etc .but not what a Subaru actually does better than the standard vw engine). Sorry for being dumb
T2 if you know a bit about fixing old cars, or have the money to get someone else to do it, plus the time to keep fixing the inevitable list of things that go wrong with them - some minor some not so minor. T5 if you really must, and want something more reliable yet lacking in character....
It's the same flat4 configuration engine as the air cooled VW so makes for a fairly good swap and feels like a natural development. They are obviously newer, more powerful and more economical than a standard 40+ VW, rally proven reliability and reasonably plentiful and good value for money. Water cooling has advantages for interior heating as well as engine cooling in a rear engined bus. It'd get you up and over the Alps slightly quicker
Thanks Flakey - that make sense. I viewed a bus today - this one - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T2-Ai...-2-0cc-4-Berth-Volkswagen-Type-2/222694067987 . Haven't taken along an expert yet but did take a few photos of underneath: https://quilkin.co.uk/shared/dsc_0004.jpg https://quilkin.co.uk/shared/dsc_0006.jpg https://quilkin.co.uk/shared/dsc_0007.jpg https://quilkin.co.uk/shared/dsc_0008.jpg I don't know if it's the right thing to ask here, but is there anything there that says either 'don't touch it' or 'looks good - worth getting an expert to look'?
Doesn't sound like they've had it very long, possible trader? Can't see the chassis,number that should be stamped into the upstand at the rear left of the engine! You could get one with a more original interior for that money if that's important to you?
Some very nice busses here, I've seen them, not too far from you http://www.thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/huge-private-collection-of-campers.71184/
He said that he'd had two or 3, and was renting them out, but it didn't work out and he stopped after a year. Portsmouth is 250 miles! But they do look amazing - I will email him to see if he has any left. Thanks again.
