The Devon VW campervan conversion company was based in Sidmouth - in Devon. The company was established in 1956 and by 1971 had 55% of the UK market. This 1979 VW Devon Moonraker Doubletop Brochure brochure has all the feel of the time, complete with brown and orange - and flares.

It gives all the detailed specs of the campervan, with a full range of pictures of the interior, plus happy 70’s family pics - very much shot on location around Sidmouth. Very useful if you have a similar campervan, or are looking to buy a bay window VW campervan.

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If you’re interested in VW campers but confused about the different models, here’s a quick tour.

Type 2 Split Screen 1950 – 1967

This was the VW first camper van, which was adapted from the VW bus (known as the Samba) – which itself was adapted from the VW panel van. The campers were fitted out by Westfalia, a coachwork company who worked in partnership with VW for many years. There were a huge number of configurations of the furniture, and other conversions too. The campers had the same air-cooled engines as the panel vans and 6-volt electrics.

Type 2 Bay Window Camper 1967-1980

The taller and larger VW bay window camper van had 12-volt electrics, a sliding side door and larger engine. It still had the friendly, rounded shape but with better visibility and more space. Westfalia continued to do conversions, and a large number of other companies such as Devon, Danbury, Canterbury and Dormobile joined the market too.

There are also VW camper vans that have been converted by small companies and DIY conversions as well. Most were conversions from buses, but some companies (and amateurs) did the conversion from vans. Versions of the VW bay window were still in production in Mexico and Brazil long after VW had stopped production in Wolfsburg. The bay window campers are often known as Kombi’s - particularly in Australia and South Africa, and, confusingly the California was a VW Camper Van conversion which didn’t come from California!

Type 25 VW – the Vanagon 1980-1991

The VW t25 was larger again and provides substantial space. The shape is much more blocky with very 80’s square styling. It was known as the Vanagon in the USA and is often referred to now as the VW t3.

Type 4 1991-2003

This is known as the Eurovan in the US with camper versions by Westfalia and by Winnebago. This big difference is where the engine is - in the front! So it has a pronounced bonnet.

Type 5 2003-

This van is a direct successor to the T4 so it is a sizeable van . They are not avaiable in the US.

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A few pictures that demonstrate just how many different VW Camper Van models there are…

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An often-asked question. VW doesn’t make the camper van anymore, although there is a camper version of the VW T5.

For older VW campervans such as the bay wondow and T25 you can find them on Ebay Motors for less than $10,000 and there are loads of specialist sites selling VW campers and large cities often have informal sales where people gather to sell campervans. BUT there are loads of models and variants - so do your homework first.

Try this guide to buying a VW camper to start.

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