This unique magazine featured camper started life in 1986 and was one of the last bodyshells to be produced at the Hanover factory. It was bought by a VW engineer from the Hanover factory and as he knew the T25 shell was prone to rusting at the seams, had the shell put through the galvanising tank. This is something that was not done normally. In fact this is the only T25 known to have been through the tank. All T25’s were galvanised to some extent but not where it was really needed, the seams. The swim in the galvanising tank seems to have done the trick as the overall condition of the body can only be described as excellent.

After the galvanising bath the van spent the next 3 years gradually being turned into the toy the original owner desired. A VR6 out of a Corrado was fitted as well as modifications to the suspension. He also built a custom interior to a very high standard. The shell is from a 14” model and 16” Mercedes Alloys had been fitted. The original owner drove the van until about October 2002 when he melted a piston. At this point Jean Louis Brion in Belgium bought the van and rebuilt the engine and fitted additional cooling in the form of a front mounted oil cooler and additional shrouding on the exhaust. Jean Louis then sold the van to a lady named Karen in England who further improved the van by adding things like a Truma gas heater, led spot lights and a Westy pop top.

Karen, a ski instructor mainly used the van to travel to the Swiss Alps in the winter skiing season. After a few years Karens needs changed and the van came again up for sale in April 09. It was then that I noticed the advert on Club8090 and decided I would go for it. Unfortunately I was beaten to the post and the van went to a chap named Ben in Penzance. Not best pleased I continued my search and came across an immaculate standard 2.1mv powered 14” Syncro with a Reimo conversion which I subsequently purchased. About 2 weeks into ownership of my new Reimo I received an email from Ben asking if I was still interested in the VR6 Syncro.

I was a bit suspicious that he was selling it so soon after buying the van but after some discussion it turned out that Bens wife was not happy with the aggressive nature and stance of the van. She simply was not comfortable driving it. Anyway it turned out that what I had bought was just what Bens wife really wanted so we swapped vans. Result.