Description
This is TJ, our much loved 1981 VW T25 Campervan with the aircooled 2.0-litre CU engine. He was converted by Ci Autohomes when new and is a 4-berth camper with the rear seat converting to a very comfortable (and wider than most) double bed, while the pop-top roof is the hard fold-out insulated type with curtained windows and the double bed up there is extremely cosy even on a windy night.
We’ve owned TJ for the last six and a half years (the previous family had him for a similar time as well), and after searching for the cleanest camper we could afford at the time we have since poured plenty of love and money into keeping him in the best condition possible.
Exterior
Body-wise I would say that TJ is in brilliant condition. Seam rot is the Achilles heel of T25s but he is free from any of that. He did have a small amount of bubbling on the nearside sill, step, both rear bumper corner sills and a couple of arches three years ago so we had them all replaced with new items and the bottom half of him was resprayed in the gorgeous yellow. This paintwork is still shining as can be seen in pics. Underneath he is extremely solid and he has never needed any welding at all, and we’ve also fitted new bumpers and end caps to freshen things up.
Interior
Inside the features include an easy to use double bed, a two-ring gas hob, a grille, sink with a push-button tap, a gas powered fridge, two rear seat belts, a table with stand, several cupboards with tons of storage, a Sony CD player with Infinity 6x9 speakers, 240V hook up and a massive 54-litre fresh water tank under the rear set (it lasts us, a family of four, for 4-5 days camping before a refill is needed).
When we bought TJ inside he was still exactly as he left Ci Autohomes back in 1982. Over the years we have gradually updated him including a new MadMatz tiled floor, a completely new custom-built cupboard section and buddy seat finished in dark redwood with chocolate trim, a retro 10-piece curtain set from VW CamperCurtains, yellow seat covers up front, a Propex gas Heatsource HS2000 heater that kicks out masses of hot air and works via a thermostat, plus loads of other details.
Mechanicals
Our T25 features the ultra reliable 2.0-litre air-cooled TU engine coupled to a smooth 4-speed manual gearbox. He has never let us down on our travels throughout the UK and all over France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and we would happily trust him to take us anywhere (as long as you’re not in a rush J). We’ve kept it regularly serviced and it runs as you’d expect it to.
Just before we bought him the previous owner had fitted a new clutch, alternator, brake cylinders, suspension bushes and brand new genuine VW steel wheels with Goodyear van rated tyres. Maintenance that we’ve carried out includes new front brakes calipers, discs, pads and brake pipes, anti-roll bar links, heat exchangers and gaskets, new exhaust and tailpipe, new fuel pump, 40mm lowering springs and secondhand but extremely solid rear trailing arms. Basically if it’s needed something we’ve got it sorted.
Summary
I’ve rambled on long enough now so I’ll sum things for you. TJ has been an important part of our family and we’ll heartbroken we he finally leaves us. The previous owner was in tears when we bought him and I know we’ll probably be the same! However, my wife has now started a childminding business and the practical matters of transporting kids around means that our T25 now has to make way for a T4 or T5 Transporter. We’d love to stay in the air-cooled family but we have neither the room or money to run two Veedubs.
Basically TJ is MOT’d until next June, has everything you need to go camping whatever the weather, he doesn’t need any money spending on him, he’s got a folder full of history and receipts and he is absolutely packed with character!
We weren’t planning on selling the brilliant Kyham Motordome Classic awning with TJ but if it means the right deal can be done I’ll throw that in as well. Also, if you’re interested I have some late 70s Porsche 911 tombstone seats finished in two-tone brown leather complete with subframes that I could sell as well. I’ve never had a chance to fit them but that would fit right in a treat.
Viewing
To come and see TJ or if you have any questions please call or text me on 07912 853114 or message me via eBay. We are based in Walmer, Kent, and are a two minute walk from the station if you want to get the train down.
