Motorheads are having to pay up to £12.99 each time for 128 instalments of a magazine that week-by-week includes parts for fanatics to build the blue T2 Volkswagen sleeper
Petrolheads are forking out a whopping £1,664 to build a model of a classic VW Campervan — but a full-size version only cost a grand when new. Car enthusiasts pay up to £12.99 a time for 128 instalments of a magazine that week-by-week includes parts for the blue T2 Volkswagen sleeper.
But the list price of the iconic motor was just £1,000 when they first began to roll off the production lines in 1967 and even in the ‘70s, they cost as little as £1,200. Publisher Hachette tells would-be collectors: “Bring the classic campervan to life. Step into the world of the Volkswagen T2 Campervan with this premium partwork collection.
“Assemble a highly detailed 1:8 scale model, crafted with precision and packed with authentic features. Alongside each issue, discover the rich history of the beloved Bulli, its design evolution, and its enduring cultural impact.”
The firm adds: “With every issue, discover the spirit of the open road and immerse yourself in the rich history of the Volkswagen T2 Campervan, brought to life through captivating stories, rare photographs and expert insights covering its origins, craftsmanship, groundbreaking technology and iconic design. Alongside these fascinating features, you will find detailed step-by-step guides to help you build your own model, celebrating every detail of this automotive icon.”
The model is made from diecast metal and the vehicle features a pop-up roof, interior lights, sliding doors, steering and full-functioning headlamps and indicators Inside, there is a sliding table opening fridge.
The tailgate opens to showcase the rear-mounted engine. The original vans were beloved of the hippie movement in the States.
Motoring journalist Adam Wilkins said of the vans: “It is in campervan form that the Type 2 cemented its reputation as carefree transport for the counter-culture in 1960s America. The relatively compact camper from Europe captured the imagination of the hippy movement in a way that a home-grown alternative simply wouldn’t have.
“For one thing, it has a friendly doe-eyed face that was the perfect match for psychedelic DIY paint jobs favoured by festival-goers. The Type 2’s simple, organic form was the ideal canvas for personalisation and adornment.
“What’s more, its robust mechanicals and economical running made it the ideal way for young Americans to get mobile.” But it isn’t just Americans who are getting stuck into the idea of building cars, as us Brits have also been known to make our own bizarre versions of fast cars.
Back in 2019, adrenaline junkie Russ Bost was able to construct his own F1 racing car, slowly building the car up and adjusting the car himself. However, the first place he drove to once the car was fully complete was to McDonald’s in order to pick up some food, much to the dismay of his wife.
Speaking at the time about why he wanted to make his own F1 car, he said: “I wanted a new, exciting car, but I couldn’t find anything on the market that I liked, so I just decided to build my own. I’d been thinking about it for years, but when I finally did it, I couldn’t have been more pleased with the result.”
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