What are the different types of classic campervan?

So, you've decided that a campervan could be the way forward for you and your family. Congratulations, first and foremost, on a great choice. Miles and miles, and days and nights of affordable, open-road motoring and camping await you. A campervan holiday truly is one of the most relaxed, enjoyable and affordable ways to see the world. But what should you choose – and why might a classic campervan be the right choice for you?

A word, first, on the classic versus modern campervan debate. Buyers looking for a classic van have plenty of choice now, as many of these marques have gained icon status, meaning that more of them are coming back on the market, lovingly looked after and often beautifully customised to provide all the modern conveniences that today's campervanners desire. Classic 'vans are also a great way into a community of like-minded souls: there’s a flourishing classic camper van community out there, as seen in clubs such as the UK’s Classic Camper Club.

On the other hand, that very desirability will be reflected in the prices you can expect to pay for some of these models. A well-looked after VW T1 Samba, for example, will typically set you back somewhere between £25,000 and £30,000 – this is a major investment, and will need protecting with some campervan insurance. You may find yourself with some higher running costs, too, as older models may be thirstier, and require more maintenance, than their modern counterparts. Lastly, you might find that not all of the UK’s byways are open to you, as certain older models may have slightly more limited off-road capabilities than their modern counterparts.

Set against all that, though, is the sheer pleasure and style of driving a classic campervan which, for us at least, is hard to put a price on. Here, then, is our pick of the best vintage and classic campervans.

VW T1 Westfalia

Let’s start with a classic among classics, shall we? When you think ‘classic camper', we’d offer good money that the image that flashes into your mind is one of the earlier generations of VW camper – and, we must say, they don’t get more retro, cool or classic than the very first generation, made from 1950 through to 1967.

This is the iteration with that eye-catching split front windscreen (the feature that has earned it the nicknames 'Splitscreen' or 'Splittie' among its legions of modern fans), and oh-so-distinctive two-tone colour scheme, with that wonderful chevron tapering to a point just above the number plate.

The first-generation VW van / minibus, the Type 2 or T1, was released in a few variants, often defined by the number of windows – and we especially love the luxury Samba trim, which swapped the usual six side windows (three each side) for eight, plus eight skylight windows, making the interior of the Samba an attractively light, airy place.

Though some van-to-campervan versions were done 'aftermarket', VW – anticipating the camper's popularity – sent many of its T1 vans to the German coachbuilders Westfalia-Werke for a host of goodies including foldout seats, birch panelling, plywood cabinets, cool box, water storage and pump, electrical hookups, Venetian blind windows and a folding table. Options, meanwhile, included awnings and side tents, camping stove, a child’s cot in the driver’s cabin, a pop-up top for extra sleeping space, and air conditioning.

Campervan cool down to a tee, in short. If you're the lucky owner of one of these period gems, we're sure we don't need to stress the need for some specialist campervan insurance to protect your investment.

Commer Maidstone

Part of the UK's long-running Rootes Group (which also owned the Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam and Talbot brands), commercial vehicle manufacturers Commer introduced their 1500cc FC van in 1960. The engine was shared with the Hillman Minx small family car, which didn’t exactly make for white-knuckle performance – but who needs that in a campervan anyway, with the crockery bouncing away inside the cupboards?

The FC came in all sorts of body styles including a High Top Van, a Bottle Float – and the ‘Maidstone’ campervan, which went on sale at £927. Options included an Elsan toilet and curtain, a gas fridge and – for those winter getaways, or just those indifferent British summers – a rear heater for.

The Maidstone also boasted a Weathershields rising roof, side, and rear doors, plus sleeping accommodation for two adults and two children. All interior cabinets were polished wood, with a two-ring gas hob and a sink. The flexible rear seating could be altered to form a double bed, a four-seater 'dinette' or, while in transit, two forward-facing seats. Versatility, British style.

Made a long time ago and enjoying a fairly brief production run, Maidstones are now extremely valuable. If you're in the market for one of these, make sure that some campervan insurance is the very next item on your shopping list.

Bedford Dormobile

A well-known name in campervanning circles, the moniker ‘Dormobile’ actually refers to a number of van conversions, principally of Bedford commercial vans, undertaken by the historic Kent coachbuilder Martin-Walter. The vintage one you’ll see from time to time (and probably covet) is the Dormobile based on the pug-nosed, 1950s/60s Bedford CA commercial; a later Dormobile, still around in somewhat greater numbers, is that based on the 1970s Bedford CF.

The second-gen, 1970s, CF-based Dormobile, meanwhile, was a larger, bulkier affair – less good-looking, we have to say, but its compensations are evident, including the six-foot double bed, kitchen, fridge-freezer high-level storage and a chemical toilet. All you need for that classic British campervan holiday experience, and likely at a lower price than its VW contemporaries. But it’s still a good idea to protect it with some campervan insurance in case of accidents or theft.

BMC Princess

Definitely a camper from a bygone age, this one makes the cut for its rather stately looks, interior opulence and decent driving dynamics.

And no, classic car fans, your eyes don’t deceive you – that is indeed a Vanden Plas Princess, that handsome and stately 1960s saloon, beneath the campervan adaptations. The BMC Princess camper was coach-built onto the Princess chassis, and managed to retain the aristocratic elegance of the car that spawned it, thanks to its four-seater fold-down table, storage space galore, and liberal sprinklings of walnut and leather.

To this air of refinement and luxury, the BMC Princess also added some fine road manners – thanks to power steering and automatic transmission, still yet to feature on most campervans at the time.

In short, a period piece that, nonetheless, began to look forward to the future of campervans: and another jewel in Britain's campervanning heritage, that will require some specialist protection.

VW T2 Westfalia

By the late 1960s, VW was updating the looks of its Transporter vans. The T1’s chevron face and split windscreen was left behind now, in favour of a more rounded front end and single-panel screen. If the T1 is the most admired of the early VW campervans, its successor is perhaps the most familiar – a campsite staple from all our childhoods. And, like the T1, this 60s/70s Transporter is now a bolted-down classic.

The T2 grew in size from its predecessor, upsizing from 4.28 metres to 4.5 metres, making for a slightly more comfortable holidaying experience inside. VW continued to use Westfalia for its conversions: innovations included, from 1970, an optional automatic gearbox.

Here in England, T1 and T2 commercial vans were converted into campers by Devon Conversions of Sidmouth – their VW camper conversions included (according to the different options you specified) the Caravette, Sunlander, Moonraker, Devonette, Continental and Sundowner.

VW T3 Westfalia

At the end of the 1970s, VW’s third iteration of the Transporter van grew again in size, which once again proved good news for campervanning families. Westfalia continued to do the official conversions: this time you could choose between a pop-up or fixed high roof, while fridge, sink, and stove also came as standard. This was the last rear-engined Transporter – subsequent models would be front-engined, sacrificing those distinctive flat-fronted looks forever.

Mazda Bongo Friendee

Yep, we think that the enduringly popular Mazda Bongo Friendee (1995-2005) just about manages ‘modern classic’ status now. The Bongo Friendee minivan was imported from Japan and commonly converted into a cheaper campervan alternative to the evergreen-but-expensive VW Transporter range.

And to this day, they don’t quite share the ‘cult classic’ appeal of their German rivals (though give it time…): what they can offer in recompense, though, is lower prices, powerful and very reliable 2.5-litre petrol or diesel engines, and (thanks to the optional lift-up roof) accommodation for up to five people.

Bedford Bambi

A minor packaging miracle, the Bedford Rascal-derived Bambi managed to cram, into its 12ft 2inch length, a toilet, sink, cooker, and sleeping space for two. The 1986-93 Rascal was by this time a tried-and-tested formula, which meant that its campervan derivative benefited from decent coachbuilding and mechanics.

A factory conversion, built like the Rascal at Bedford's Luton plant, the Bambi got the Rascal’s servo-assisted disc front brakes, rack and pinion steering, independent front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension, radial tyres and a five-speed gearbox. The 970cc water-cooled engine was stowed under the front seats – not a massive displacement, but it did the job on this lightweight camper.

Fun fact: Bedford got to use the Bambi name under licence from Disney.

Talbot Express

The last vehicle to wear the Talbot badge before owners Peugeot retired the name in 1994, the Express was best known as a commercial van: but it was also popular, here in the UK, as a camper van conversion. The Express got petrol and diesel engines from parent company PSA (Citroën/Peugeot and others): these were transversely mounted and drove the front wheels.

In fact, the Express was one of a wider family of very similar vans, produced by the wider PSA company and in a partnership with Fiat/Alfa Romeo. So look out, too, for the largely equivalent Peugeot J5, Citroen C25 and Fiat Ducato, as well as the Alfa Romeo AR6. An Alfa Romeo campervan? Well, why not?

An Express makes a great first campervan, as it will be relatively affordable (without the ‘cult classic’ premium that attaches to the VWs in our list) and, being of a certain age, should have far fewer electrical issues than modern campers. Being essentially simpler, they should be easier and cheaper to repair than many modern rivals. The Express is still a popular campervan here in the UK, as witness its lively owners’ club. We’d recommend joining an owners club if you can – great for making friends and sharing campervan know-how.

Ford Transit Mk1

When it entered the UK market in 1961, the Ford Transit was nothing less than a revolution in van design. With its car-like handling, versatility, ease and comfort (and even a dash of American flair to those looks), the Transit was a quantum leap forward over many of its slightly dull-looking, underpowered, and indifferent-driving contemporaries.

No wonder, then, that it soon became a popular minibus and, in time, campervan option. As VW did with their Transporter, Ford turned to German coachbuilders Westfalia when it came to converting the Transit for campervan use. And, again, the options were many – short or long wheelbase, high fixed roof or pop-up roof (in which a 6ft 3in chap could comfortably move around), and various different furniture layouts. Westfalia also kitted you out with a wardrobe, gas heater, fridge, detachable dining table – and a washbasin and gas cooker that ingeniously folded on top of each other when not in use.

Campervan insurance to suit your needs

If you're thinking of investing in a classic campervan (and, as you can see, we think it's a very good idea), we can help you to secure some campervan insurance to protect you and your mobile holiday home for the road ahead.

Contact us today to find out more about campervan insurance.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.