Edith – 1971 VW bay window camper van (LHD)

Edith is a left-hand drive 1971 Volkswagen T2 Westfalia Campervan, and having spent most of her life as a cool West Coast surf chick, she crossed The Pond in 2012 and has since travelled all over the UK. She joined our family in 2019 and is a cosy family camper. With a Rock ‘n’ Roll double bed and a pop-top to which provides headroom and if you need it, an additional bed suitable for two children up to about 14 years old. She had a full engine refurb in 2019 and so is reliable, runs like a dream and will happily cruise on the motorway at 60mph, but she’s an old van so the steering and braking is in keeping with an air-cooled 1930s technology engine: Edith prefers a relaxed pace of life as befits a camper of her vintage but you’ll soon get into the rhythm of a slower drive and enjoy the many waves, smiles and and “gnarly” hand wiggles that’ll come your way! Note: as befits her Californian upbringing, she’s left-hand drive, but it’s quick and easy to get used to.

Inside, the kitchen is equipped with a fridge, sink and twin gas hob, and crockery, cutlery, pans and kitchen equipment to enable you to cook up a camp feast (and to wash up after!). The table seats 2 adults and one or two small children. The cabin has two internal lights and a heater for those chillier nights, as well as two 3-pin (UK) plus sockets when hooked up to external supply (camping hook-up cable provided). When off-grid she runs on a leisure battery setup which charges when you drive. The interior curtains can be supplemented with blackout/thermal blinds.

On the road, you’ll have a CD/radio and two rear three-point seat belts which can accommodate up to two child car seats.

You provide: bedding, pillows, towels and tea towels.
Additional items for hire: Picnic table and benches, bbq, Drive-away awning, sun awning, car seats suitable for 3 to 9 year olds.

I will show you everything on the van on pick up and run through everything you need to know. This van’s top speed is 60 mph – these vans were built in the 1970s when vehicles were very different! You will find the gears and brakes very different to modern cars and it is advisable to leave lots of space and allow lots of time for braking and gear changing. Don’t let your van struggle up hills – better to change down and keep the revs up. You are driving something that was designed in the 60s and built in the 70s. Please bear this in mind and relax into a different pace of life.

Please allow ample time for all your journeys. As your vehicle does not have ABS, please leave lots of space, be vigilant on the road and allow more time for braking and gear changing. The van does not have the capability to accelerate out of any situation, so again, drive carefully and remain extra vigilant, being aware that this is a totally different driving experience!

You will find that you settle into a different pace of life and enjoy the drive!

Requirements of rental due to insurance restrictions: You must:
- be 23 or older
- have held your licence for at least 2 years
- hold an UK or EU licence
- have less than six points on your licence from two or fewer convictions
- bring the licence and two forms of proof of address to pickup and allow me me to photograph.