I bought this 2011 VW T5.1 (Euro 5) 6 speed rather unique high spec vehicle in Dec ’21 from a family guy with 146k miles (current mileage 156,954)

 

The previous owner to him - who carried out the conversion using genuine VW California parts was a Surfer, who lived in the Cotswolds and used the van for regular long distance sprints down the M5 to Cornwall to kite surf and stay over at weekends. He put on the bulk of the mileage.

 

During my 2+ year ownership, I’ve only added 10,000 miles with the vehicle mainly being used for recreational camping and transporting my trials bikes to competitions in UK and a couple of times to the Pyrenees. It’s also been used for helping my daughter move into her flat. So basically it is a totally versatile piece of kit giving a huge floor area with the double bench seat pushed forwards and the Multiboard removed or a super big comfortable area for sleeping.

 

I guess the closest thing to it is a VW Beach – except that vehicle is only a SWB and this is of course LWB! but has a pop top (a pop top could be retrofitted from circa £3k). Alternatively a Tentbox Classic would give generous sleeping for 4 and are readily available for £1500!


The spec is:-

2011

1968cc 140PS 6 Speed manual.

Aircon

Cruise control

Xenon headlamps

Towbar (I had this fitted for carrying single lightweight trails bike).

Roof rails

Privacy tint glass windows.

Ebespacher diesel heater – fed from main diesel tank

VW California – OEM 2x rotating front captains seats

VW California – OEM deck chairs and tailgate storage (with built in rear blind)

VW California – OEM 2 seater rear seat with ISOFIX -  on sliding rails converting into a totally flat double bed (140cm wide from recollection) which is approx. 2/3rds the width of the van And has a built in steel storage drawer beneath.

To the nearside of the van is a 1/3 wide covered wooden box containing the leisure battery and also an integrated Waeco drawer compressor fridge. This is all properly wired in to the leisure battery - which charges as you drive.


On top of this area is a custom made 1/3rd mattress.

2 x OEM VW California mattress toppers to give a really comfortable full van width sleeping area.

VW Alloys with “swamper” style M+S (mud and snow) tyres all around.

Small folding table on a rail.

OEM VW heavy duty rubber floor mats in the front.

Curtains on tracks to both sides.

OEM VW California rear privacy blind built into deck chair (inc the chairs) unit in tailgate

External blackout blind for windscreen and front doors.

Stereo with Bluetooth for I-phone and Android for maps and telephone calls.

 

I can also offer the successful buyer first refusal on- A virtually new Kampa geyser unit which is great for hot showers and providing hot water for washing up + folding privacy tent

A small Thetford cube toilet

A 100 watt portable solar panel and MPPT controller.

 

This VW van has new suspension, new brake discs, new cambelt, and had a new leisure battery in Summer 2022. It has a very comprehensive main dealer VW service history until Oct 2018 (139k miles), since then its been serviced with VW specialists and i have all invoices to prove + it comes with the original handbook pack and many supporting invoices and 2x remote keys.

 

It’s a totally unique van and one which would cost a fortune to recreate - as the genuine California parts are really expensive to buy (reflecting their high quality & safety rating).

 

The vehicle drives like a 2 year old vehicle, which has returned me 36 mpg during the 10k miles I’ve owned it.

 

It is MOT’d until 25th August 2024 and has carried out less than 1000 miles since then (as I have already bought its replacement), however I am prepared to have a fresh MOT carried out at my expense if required.


I have every confidence in this camper to drive any distance reliably.