2018 Volkswagen T2 Kombi Last Edition

Believed to be the last T2 registered new in the United Kingdom – and yes, the highly appropriate numberplate of ‘LA57 BAY’ is included – this Volkswagen Transporter T2 ‘56 Anos’ was imported into the UK in 2014 by the legendary firm Danbury, who later converted it to the campervan you see here in 2018.

In the care of its sole UK owner ever since, the work Danbury carried out included a right hand-drive conversion, fitting power-steering plus, of course, a full campervan conversion.

As a result, it now boasts a full suite of mod-cons including a rock ‘n’ roll bed, sink, fridge, gas hob, buddy seat, a Danbury pop-up top that gives standing headroom, and a table that can be fitted and removed via a mount in the floor.

Still having covered just 16,000 kilometres, it has been very well serviced over the years, including the all-important habitation checks.

Always garaged when it wasn’t being used, the seller might have used it sparingly, but he has roamed as far as Connemara on the west coast of Ireland in it.

Finished in Baby Blue and sitting on a matching set of whitewall tyres, we can’t think of a better vehicle to go exploring in this summer.

In white over Baby Blue, the campervan exudes a cute persona without so much as a hint of trying too hard. Perfectly judged, it’s almost as if VW had had 56 years’ experience in building and painting ‘em…

Which would count for naught though if it had been neglected in the seven years the seller had owned but, as you can tell for yourselves, this has been a much-loved member of his family.

Yes, there’s an invoice on file to have the rear wing painted in July 2019 but the fact he went to the trouble and expense of getting Danbury to sort it out is merely further proof of his affection.

Because the coachwork is mint; free of dents, dinks, and other problems, the paintwork radiates an air of happiness and adventure – and while you might think that sounds overly romantic, that’s how a good T2 campervan makes you feel.

Always garaged, further proof of his dedicated curation comes via the painted steel wheels, which are enhanced by a set of matching painted hubcaps. All are in great shape but then the combination of high-profile tyres and a meticulous owner made that inevitable.

Naturally, the tyres are all the same make and type being Goodyear G32 Cargos with plenty of tread left on them.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The pop-up roof is free of scuffs and damage, problems that arise when a careless owner misjudges the height of their ride. The badges, decals, lamp lenses, and window glazing are all good too, but then you could have predicted that, eh?

The fabric sides of the Danbury pop-up roof are free of rips, tears, and other damage and the campervan also comes with a driveaway awning and associated accessories that were purchased in 2019.

As for cosmetic issues, the black paint on the door mirror plinths is flaking off, there are a few small chips on the lower edge of the roof, there’s a scuff to the nearside corner of the rear bumper, and a peeling sticker on the nearside rear quarter panel.

The blue and white striped interior a marvel of space-efficiency; to fit so much into such a tiny footprint is an engineering and design marvel.

Because you get a full-width rock ‘n’ roll bed, seating for up to seven people, a gas hob and grill, a sink and a cold water tap, and a fridge that includes a small freezer compartment so you can make ice for your G&T.

The Danbury pop-up top means you won’t have to stoop while living in there either, and you could also use it to add sleeping space for a couple of children – and if you do, you’ll be pleased you’ve got that magnetic driveaway awning that gives you oodles of extra living space when you’re parked up for the night.

The driver gets a beautiful three-spoke, Blackwood MCJ steering wheel with a bright Danbury boss, but if you prefer the look of the original, the factory jobbie has been retained.

The passenger seat alongside the driver can accommodate two passengers, with three more spaces in the rear. That’s room for six passengers in all, all with seatbelts, making it the ideal vehicle for the school run, or to ferry your children and their mates around at the weekend. (There’s also an extra ‘buddy’ seat in the back for when you’re parked up.)

Speaking of the rear, the living space has curtains for privacy, plus VW-themed pennants for fun. There’s also a set of T2-specific insulated blinds to help you regulate the temperature inside, and these would work equally well in both hot and cold conditions.

You get 12-volt and 240-volt power outlets, the former being powered via a leisure battery, with the latter working via shore power when you arrive at your campsite.

Other niceties include a fire extinguisher, a ventilated base for the bed, speakers for the Bluetooth stereo, a battery charge meter, a small freshwater tank, and a rollaway grey water tank.

The plaque on the dashboard confirms this is one of the ’56 Anos’ edition vehicles, in this case #0533/1200.

All the seat material is in great shape, with no rips, tears, or other signs of misuse. In fact, the entire interior is very close to still being in ‘as-new’ condition.

The T2’s service history is as follows:

• 10.09.2018 – service by Danbury
• 11.06.2019 – service by Danbury including a habitation check
• 03.08.2020 – service by Danbury including a habitation check
• 28.06.2021 – habitation check by West Country Motor Homes
• 06.04.2022 – service by Worle Autos Ltd
• 17.05.2023 – service by Worle Autos Ltd
• 06.06.2023 – habitation check by West Country Motor Homes
• 31.05.2024 – service by Worle Autos Ltd

Naturally, all this love and attention on top of the Transporter’s legendary reputation for reliability means it starts, idles, and revs as it should.

That the worst we can say about the decorative condition of the engine is that it is a bit dusty speaks volumes, and the underside is as clean as you’d expect for such a new and low-mileage example.

The VW’s MoT certificate is valid until May 2025, the recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two keys.

The history file includes the original Danbury service manual, a Kombi 56 Anos Last Edition brochure, an article confirming Danbury imported the last 99 VW Transporter vans from Brazil in 2014, the VW book pack and wallet, and the invoices for the above service and maintenance work.

Fully kitted out and meticulously serviced, you could range further than you ever imagined possible in this comfortably equipped classic campervan.

You’ll also be sure of a warm welcome wherever you roam as everyone loves a T2, which is not something that can be said of some of the modern monstrosities that blight the nicer parts of our island: Yes, they might offer more space, but they’re also too big and tall for many car-parks and too wide to navigate many country and village lanes.

With a guide price of between £35,000 and £40,000, the fact the average hotel, even the cheap ones, now cost well over £100 a night means it wouldn’t take long for the financials to make sense either – assuming, of course, that you feel the need to take such a hard-hearted view of the matter in the first place.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.