80s style - VW Campervan Hire

TYPE 3
1980s T3 Campers
The cab seats still have the original Holdsworth fabric.
Text: David Photography: David (Exteriors) & Cee (Interiors)
CLASSIC CAMPING
’80S STYLE
finished in Marsala Red, it featured
the 1.9 petrol engine and had only
covered 89,000 miles by the time Steve
acquired it last March. Externally the
bus had also been factory fitted with
Carat style rectangular headlights
and wrap around bumpers with front
spoiler, as were all the Holdsworth T3s,
giving a distinctive upmarket look.
Holdsworth fitted five side
windows and the rigid-sided pop-top,
incorporating an upper twin bed, and
the interior was finished in light ash
with beech trim to give a modern,
airy look, set off with distinctive
Scandinavian weave fabrics for
upholstery and carpeting.
After having it was resprayed in
A porta-potti is housed under the rear seat.
original colours, including Pastel
White for the roof, Steve and his
brother, Darren, went through all the
mechanicals, but apart from a good
service all that was really needed was
to renew the rear brakes and replace
the water pump. Whilst the original
Externally the bus had also been
factory fitted with Carat style
rectangular headlights and wrap
round bumpers with front spoiler,
as were all the Holdsworth T3s
The introduction of the T3 base saw a shift in camping conversions in
terms of luxury and fitments reflecting changing lifestyles, and two
major players of the time were Holdsworth and Autohomes. With a more
spacious and roomy interior and a vehicle that reflected the latest developments in
automotive engineering, interior design was now led by comfort and style
W
hen Steve Bundock
decided to set
up a camper hire
business last year,
he decided not
to go with Splits and Bays (very
expensive to buy and maintain).
Instead he chose to offer classic
campers that drove and could
cruise more like a modern vehicle,
but which retained the nostalgic
appeal of getting away from it all in
a classic VW campervan. He now
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www.volkswagencamper.co.uk | May 2013
owns and hires two of the cleanest,
most original and well-appointed
T3 campers around, offering two
contrasting types of driving and
camping experience – a pop-top
Holdsworth that can sleep four,
and a two-berth, fixed high roof
Karisma Automatic. Named after
his favourite musicians (a CD of
their music is supplied with each
bus), Ella and Buddy are now set
to continue bringing retro fun into
the lives of many more people.
ELLA
1989 Holdsworth Villa 3
The award-winning Holdsworth
Villa conversions set the standard
for campervans in the ’80s, and
the example here is remarkable
for its pristine period interior. It
has only had one previous owner
who lovingly cared for it and,
despite faded paintwork, it was
still all original and unrestored
with no body repairs needed.
Built in 1989 as a panel van and
Light ash cabinets with beech trim
contrast make the interior light and airy.
The Holdsworth roof features rigid sides instead of canvas.
upholstery on the cab seats was
faded, it still had that period charm
factor so has been retained; the rear
seat however has been recovered
by Steve’s wife, Sallyann, who also
ran up the curtains. Apart from relacquering the woodwork, the interior
is almost exactly as it was when first
converted, with things like the sink,
fridge and cooker still looking new
issue Sixty seven | www.volkswagencamper.co.uk
25
TYPE 3
1980s T3 Campers
The kitchen run features the usual hob/ sink/
fridge arrangement but also has a separate drainer
section and storage compartment at the end.
The end storage compartment features
a neatly designed sliding cutlery tray.
A pull-out section in the roof reveals a purpose-built bottle
storage area. (A similar one opposite is for crockery.)
and fresh. Attention to detail
and comfort can be found
throughout, from moulded
plastic trim for the window
surrounds to the carpeting
of all interior exposed metal
along with natty design
features such as the sliding
cutlery tary and slide-out
gas bottle holder. A handy section
under the rear seat allows for storage
of a porta-potti, and to make for a
homely dinette feel the passenger
front seat swivels to face the rear.
Authentic style Holdsworth badging
and Villa decals add a finishing touch,
whilst refurbished steel wheel and
chrome hubcaps instead of plastic
trims maintain the factory look.
A second table can be mounted between the cab seats.
BUDDY
1988 Autohomes Karisma
The original sink, hob and worktops are in as new condition.
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www.volkswagencamper.co.uk | May 2013
All Holdworths were factory fitted with
Carat style rectangular headlights and
wrap around bumpers with front spoiler.
Built in 1988 and featuring a 2.1-litre
engine with automatic gearbox and
power steering options, this T3 was
converted by Autohomes, another
leading name in the ’80s. They offered
three different models and the one
here is a Karisma, which featured a
fixed high roof with side windows and
roof vent. Steve sourced it via eBay, but
cannily had a brother who lived nearby
to it in Newcastle check it out before
doing the deal! It had been in dry
storage and just before the sale it was
discovered the brakes had seized so
the owner had new callipers and discs
fitted. The interior was tired but intact,
and the body needed some attention,
The interior was tired but intact and the body
needed some attention, but the combination
of automatic gearbox and fixed high roof
made it a perfect partner to the Villa
but the combination of automatic
gearbox and fixed high roof made it a
perfect partner to the Holdsworth Villa.
After fitting a new driver’s side sill
and a front panel repair section and
attending to some seam rust, Steve
and Darren prepped the body prior
to having it resprayed in its original
Pastel White. They also had to get
new power steering hydraulic pipes
specially made, and completely
renewed the rest of the braking system
as well as servicing the vehicle.
The fabrics and upholstery were frayed
and worn, so again Sallyann stepped
in to re-upholster the rear seat/ bed.
On removing the fitted seat covers
from the cab seats however they
found the original VW oatmeal fabric
and vinyl was as perfect as the day it
left the factory, so have retained this
period feature. The carpet however
had been glued all over the original
rubber floormats and Steve spent
many evenings painstakingly removing
all traces of glue and fabric from them,
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TYPE 3
1980s T3 Campers
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The original water
heater has been
replaced with a modern,
more efficient unit.
A moulded dash tray is a very useful period
accessory. Note the easy action auto-box
shifter.
FROM ONLY
They come kitted out with all the
cooking and camping basics (apart
from bedding) and additional options
include drive-away awnings, bike
racks, camping tent and toilet set-up
ending up with the floor looking as
new too. He also removed the black
and white old fashioned TV from the
front overhead roof section, and opted
to make the space into a huge storage
area (perfect for bedding) instead and
made new cupboard doors to match
the existing furniture, and while he was
at it replaced several of the other doors.
The Karisma was an especially well
appointed top end conversion and
even boasts a hot water system. Steve
has updated the heater for a modern
version and all that’s needed for hot
water on tap is to flick the switch! The
kitchen run not only has the usual
hob/ sink/ fridge arrangement, but
also benefits from a separate
drainer section
and storage
compartment
at the end, each with its own lift up
worktop lid. A second table for the
cab was also supplied, which sits in
the gangway and is ideal when the
cab seat is swivelled. At the rear of
the raised roof is a built-in luggage
rack, and a fixed ladder mounted on
the tailgate makes for easy access.
Though only designed as a two-berth
model, Steve has also added a child’s
cab bunk to increase flexibility.
A new lease of life
Both buses went with Steve and
Darren and their families to Busfest
last year, which was their first real
introduction to the VW bus scene, and
some weekends have now been taken
out of the hire calendar so
they can get to
enjoy using
the buses with their families as well!
Both have just come out of storage
ready for the season ahead, and all
the business arrangements, insurance
details and nitty gritty of setting up in
business have all been sorted ready
for the first customers. They come
kitted out with all the cooking and
camping basics (apart from bedding)
and additional options include driveaway awnings, bike racks, camping
tent and toilet set-up.
Meanwhile, Marvin the T4
is in the workshop being
prepped, and Elvis has not
yet entered the building!
Would like to thank:
My wife, Sal, and sons, Joe and Will, for their support and
patience whilst setting up this venture. My brother, Darren,
for his help with getting the vans ready. Dave from Dave
Ludford Auto Repairs (01455 559279) for spray work on
Ella and Marvin. Shaun Garaghty for his spray work on
Buddy. Guy Hutton (07980 643369) for supplying the
power steering pipes. J&S Upholstery (01302 709926) for
supplying Buddy’s curtains. And finally Andrew Broad
from Broadbyte (07733 262131) for creating our website
At the rear of the raised roof is a built-in luggage rack, and a
fixed ladder mounted on the tailgate makes for easy access.
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www.volkswagencamper.co.uk | May 2013
£9.99
*
For more information about SB2 Campers,
which is based in Leicestershire, call Steve on 07789
690242 or check out www.sb2campers.co.uk
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