Description

1981 Volkswagan Transporter Van

Amendment: One owner van 1,970cc petrol T3 transporter driven to the auction; tax and MOT exempt; unmolested van

Amendment: Please note this van is a one owner machine and is air cooled and not a water-boxer as previously catalogued.

The T3 was the third generation of the VW. It was larger, heavier and more angular in its styling than its predecessor, but shared the same rear-engine, cab-over design. It was manufactured in Hannover, Germany from 1979 until 1991 and the T3 was the final generation of the rear-engined Volkswagens.

Dating from 1981, this highly original van is quite a rarity these days. It comes with the 90bhp two-litre engine and its service book shows that it had covered 82,000 miles by 1994, the odometer now registering some 50,670 miles, so we assume 150,670 in total but who knows??

Most unusually, this one hasn't been gentrified, nor has it carried lots of sharp objects as the sides seem very straight and un-dinged. We have been driving it around onsite and it seems to behave itself as it should and has a most appealing lived in feel without being worn out.

It comes with a V5C, two old MOTs and a service book which has a healthy 17 service stamps, but the last of these was way back in 1994 and we know little about its service history after that. It also comes with a handy Haynes manual. The MOT history online shows a reasonably colourful past, but its last test in December 2020 carried no advisories and it has covered only 22,000 miles over the last 16 years.

We rather like this for its honesty and simplicity. Dating from 1981 it is both tax and MOT exempt so would be a very useful machine to have around the place for those odd jobs that need a van - a non-depreciating one at that.

An opportunity to keep as is, or as a base for conversion for various commercial or domestic uses, this T3 needs a close look.

For more information - contact nigel.mainard@brightwells.com