Volkswagen Devon Caravette Type 2 1500 SP, Pearl White and Velvet Green
The camper modelled was built in Hanover, Germany, in October 1966 to option codes M396 – UK market RHD, and M543 – no seating in load area. It was supplied directly to VW’s official UK camper van builder, Devon Conversions, Sidmouth. Although Devon Conversions specialised in VW’s, founder Jack White having started by converting his own VW in 1955, they did expand into producing campers using other base vehicles. The company moved to larger premises in 1960, a former gas plant called the Alexandria Works which had its own rail link to get vehicles in and out efficiently and by the mid 1960s, were converting well over a 1000 vehicles per year.
This example was owned for many years by enthusiastic Split Screen Van Club (SSVC) member Christopher Pratt from Derbyshire, who restored the bodywork in 2010 and made sure, unusually in a VW Type 2, that the vehicle was kept completely original. In 2013 it was purchased by Shropshire-based fellow SSVC member Ted Thomas. He’s rebuilt the engine, gearbox and other running gear of the van himself, being an engineer by trade. He has also made sure it is kept original, something that’s easier to do on this vehicle as it is one of the first to use a 12 volt electrical system. Ted and his family enjoy using the van regularly and it won ‘Best Splitscreen’ at Camper Jam in both 2016 and 2017.
Engine: 1,493cc HO AC OHV SP; Power: 53bhp@4200rpm; Torque: 78.1Lb.ft@2600rpm; Maximum speed: 65mph; Unladen weight: 2,447lbs; Length: 168.9 inches.
Trademarks, design patents and copyrights are used with the approvals of the owner Volkswagen AG.
