1991 Volkswagen Caravelle GL 2.1i Automatic

After much deliberation I have decided that due to getting married next year, unfortunately I have to sell my beloved Caravelle to raise funds for the all important day. After hunting high and low for 6 months for the right vehicle for my future plans, in January this year I found this lovely low mileage unmodified example in Devon, and after a 3 hour inspection, test drive and fantastic hospitality provided by the previous owners family I confidentally parted with my cash and had a lovely maiden voyage home cruising back down the coast road to its new home in sunny Cornwall. I have since travelled around 5000 trouble free miles in it and had some fantastic camping trips, as well as using it as a daily driver for the short journey to work.

This 'velle was originally purchased on New Years Day in 1991 at VW and Audi Dealers Rawsons EuroCars in Kent by a Sir William Richardson! It is one of the last Type 25 Caravelle's with the highest specification available on UK models and features the following:

2100cc Flat Four fuel injected petrol engine producing 112 BHP

3 speed automatic gearbox

Power Steering

Remote Central Locking

Cobra Category 2 Engine Immobiliser

Rev Counter

Rare Gold Colour

Moulded front and rear bumpers

Lower front bumper spoiler and door pods

Four square headlight front grill

Buper mounted front fog lamps

Green tinted glass all round

Front quarter light opening windows

Sliding middle windows

Captains armrest front seats with full swivel bases

Luxurious beige / light brown velour interior and carpets

7seats all with armrests and seat belts

Walk Through model

Rear Jail bars

Rear heating system

Rear wash wiper

Michelin Agili tyres all round

Chrome hub caps with new stainless steel embellishers

Original rear mattress pad over engine compartment in matching velour

Fully Waxoyled chassis and lower body (inside and out)

£5000 agreed insurance value certificate (current)

H813 DKR is probably one of the most original examples around and has been exceptionally well looked after through its 17 years. It comes complete with the original dealers branded front and rear number plates (showing that it is very unlikely to have been in an accident), the dealers rear window sticker is still intact and every window including the windscreen has the original number plate etching on it (showing that it has not been the subject of a break in). Original Caravelle logos and wheel arch spat protectors are also still intact. It has all the original locks and 2 sets of original keys and immobiliser fobs.

Also present is a huge service history folder, in addition to the original manufacturers manuals and wallet and fully stamped service history book , showing little more than 3500 miles travelled each year. All previous MOT certificates except 2 are present, providing plenty of evidence to confirm that the current mileage of 60105 is genuine on the original engine and gearbox. There are receipts from VW dealers and specialists over the years for thousands of pounds of maintenance work on the bus including old MOT inspection reports etc. I also have a Haynes manual which will be provided with the bus.

Also included is the receipt given to the previous owner for the purchse price of £4000 back in November 2004, showing that this vehicle is gradually increasing in value and is a very solid investment for the future owner, particularly in light of the huge prices that earlier models of the famous VW bus and camper are achieving in the enthusiast markets. It also includes a certificate showing that the vehicle was fully Waxoyled (rust protection and underseal) back in May of 2004 at a total cost of £450, along with my own current agreed insurance valuation certificate from HIC specialist insurers for £5000, and the certificate for the category 2 immobiliser.

Since purchasing the vehicle on 31st January 2007 I have covered a little under 5000 trouble free miles, given it a major service costing £250 and put it through the MOT which it passed without any faults - I even received comments on how clean and solid the vehicle was from the testing mechanic. In preparation for my plans of a full camping conversion I have started to fill the spaces behind the interior panels with kingspan insulation, although probably not wholly necessary my grilfriend doesnt like the cold so I thought I should do everything I could to maintain the heat. I have plenty of this leftover to complete the job if wanted.

The mechanic I have used to service my bus is Nigel Allen who has been working on VW Transporters for over 15 years and he is very impressed with the overall condition of the vehicle and carried out the independant vehicle inspection when I purchased the bus for the insurance valuation, MOT pre test and other bits and pieces I have had done. The current MOT is valid until 9th May 2008 and the tax is valid until 31st April 2008. The bus is booked in to have the central locking repaired, a new set of front brake pads fitted and an oil change done on 20th November, before the sale. There is a slight oil leak from the sump gasket, and a small area of rust in each of the steps up into the cabin (ver common area prone to corrosion), neither of which are of major concern according to Nigel, and the underside of the bus in in very good condition with no signs of corrosion or welding.

The bus is being sold with NO KNOWN MECHANICAL FAULTS OR OPERATIONAL DEFECTS.

I cannot praise the drive and comfort of this bus enough. It starts on the button first time, every time, idles correctly, the engine pulls very smoothly and is equally happy driving around town as it is cruising at motorway speeds (and above) without any hint of a struggle. The gearbox is very smooth with sublte noise free changes and is a real delight to experience. There is plenty of power available for overtaking where the 'kick down' gear change operates very effectively. The power steering is an absolute godsend, as those of you who have experienced unassisted models will confirm, it is a nightmare but a great substitute for gym membership! All driving controls are fully operational, as are the front and rear heating systems.

The seats are soooooo comfy - even my girlfriend crosses her legs and leans back in the huge armchair style front seats (obviously not while she's driving!). The driving position is very versatile and hugely relaxing on long journeys, which mates up with the auto 'box perfectly for effortless cross country journeys. Both front seats also swivel 360 degrees for the perfect camping setup. I have currently removed the middle 2 seater bench (all parts included in sale) as its just the 2 of us and we use the bus for camping trips where the extra loading space is perfect. I also remove the upright section from the 3 seater bench which with some improvisation creates a platform for a make shift bed. This could of course with a little extra expense be replaced with the very popular rock and roll beds to create the ultimate weekend campervan! All seats front and rear have seat belts. The overall condition of the interior is very good, with only minor barely noticeably areas of wear and tear. The middle section of carpet in the bus (where the 2 seater bench would sit) is not original.

The only negative comments I can give about the Caravelle concerns the exterior. As with all unrestored Type 25's there is some corrosion beginning to appear on some of the seams, however this is minimal compared to others I have seen and I have been informed quite easily remedied. There are other minor marks and scratches around the bus as you would expect from a vehicle this age. The bumpers are scuffed in places and have suffered from the usual sun damage and have faded in colour. The paintwork is quite swirly and a bit flat - I'm guessing as a result of being run through the Car Wash too many times, however this gives the bus a lovely patina which I really like, and in my opinion doesn't detract from the overall appeal of the vehicles looks (and is barely noticeable from a few feet away). There is one small panel below the drivers side rear window which appears to have been resprayed. The rest of the paintwork looks to be original, with no signs of welding, filler or any other repairs to the body or chassis.

As you will see from the photos there are 2 small key locks on the panel between the passenger and sliding doors - these are present as a previous owner had an electrically operated disabled lift installed by the sliding door to transport his wife in her wheelchair. All other internal elements of this lift have been removed from the vehicle but the 2 external locks remain. There is a small area of damage to the lower section of the sliding door, which appears to have been opened onto a kerb or similar object, as there is a long scrape from the middle to the rear of the panel, and also a small dent in the rear wheel arch at the same height. These are the only cosmetic areas of concern on the vehicle and I have had a quote for £150 to remove the key locks and repair and respray the scratch on the sliding door and wheel arch, so nothing too major to worry about.

To summarise this original, unmodified, high specification Caravelle with very low miles and extensive history is in great condition, is mechanically sound and will be sold with plenty of MOT and Tax, good quality tyres with plenty of tread, new brake pads and fresh oil. It has proven to me to be 100% reliable under all circumstances and will be a very solid investment for the future. It also has great flexibility as a safe, large family vehicle or as a touring wagon, and provides the perfect base for a camper conversion, with either a solid roof or elevating roof, as many parts are now readily available to achieve this at very reasonable costs.

This is a reluctant sale and I have provided a genuine description of the vehicle in its current condition.

More pictures are available on request. Please email me with any queries.

Flexible viewing available by appointment (PL24 - St. Austell area, Cornwall).

ASKING PRICE £4900 ovno

CONTACT JOE ON 07747 045260

joeyjones123@hotmail.com

I will accept cash on collection or a cheque - vehicle will not be released until payment cleared in my bank account. I am not interested in any money transfer schemes or shipping abroad where you claim to pay me lots of money for the privilege. Strictly No Canvassers.