Proposed magazine article, re RSA campervans

[eben]

hilarious....

[Dawie]

First Autovilla was the 1960 prototype.

Saw 3 different types baywindow autovillas made in 1974. (All without the overcab extension).

1)-Early 74 ones had a square side entry door, similar to early seventies Jurgens caravans.
(The one that went on the George trip this year is like that),

2)-Later ones has a door with rounded edges. The door is more forward than later models.
The stove and sink is between the door and bed/seats and table.

3)-Then later, the door was moved more backwards. Now the stove and sink lives forwards of the door,
and the bed is bigger.

Chassis numbers suggests it was built on a panelvan chassis.(and not the pickup version).
VW strengthened the chassis by boxing the bottom, like on sunroof and doubledoor versions.
They also added additional strengthening at the bottom, and slightly widened and lengthened the rear.

Does anybody know the production quantities of each type?

[fig]

... Chassis numbers suggests it was built on a panelvan chassis.(and not the pickup version).

Those I have seen were built on microbus chassis, not panels.

[Dawie]

I could be wrong there.
Came across an Autovilla with chassis number 214-2101-xxx.

Thought-
first digit "2" means type 2,
then next digit "1" means panelvan,
and "4" means 1974 production year.

[fig]

You are right. It makes sense that they'd use the cheapest model as a base. I'm guessing they used microbuses for higher spec models??, or otherwise they had to take what they got from VW dealers, especially before the Autovilla got VWSA approval.

[Ron&Gill]

DID they get VWSA approval? Would the model of the bus(base) not have been determined by which engine Jurgens would have wanted to use?

[Tom Bishop]

Dont know how much approval it had from VW.

You had to buy it in the Jurgens Show Room and they were built from panelvans.

[fig]

I have no doubt that some of them were built on panelvan bases, but I have also seen them built on microbuses. I have seen several spec levels on otherwise similar Autovillas, from very sparse to full luxury, so it appears there was a wide range of optional spec.

See Pine's article above, which refers to the test model having "2000L microbus cab and controls". The pictures clearly show a microbus cab, with wood-look finish on the dash. It also says the 1979 model tested is covered by the VWSA guarantee for mechanical parts, implying that VWSA at some stage approved this conversion.

Ron, the choices of engines were avilable across the type 2 range, so you could order any type 2 model (post 72) with either the type1 or type4 engine. The type 4 engines increased in capacity over the years, but only one displacement was available at any time. IIRC, type4 engines displaced 1700cc 73-74, 1800cc 75-76, 2000cc 77 onwards.

[Ron&Gill]

Yes, I didn't make myself very clear there, my question was whether the "Microbus" or "Panelvan" distinction came from which engine was used, i.e if you wanted a 2 litre, you had to base it on the microbus but if you wanted an 1800, you could use a panel van. You know what I mean?

And so I imagine there would have been quite a big price difference.

[fig]

Yes, I didn't make myself very clear there, my question was whether the "Microbus" or "Panelvan" distinction came from which engine was used, i.e if you wanted a 2 litre, you had to base it on the microbus but if you wanted an 1800, you could use a panel van. You know what I mean?

And so I imagine there would have been quite a big price difference.

And it looks like I also didn't make myself clear:

You could never choose between a 2000 and an 1800 engine. Your choice was between a type1 (1600) engine or a type4 engine. Type4 engines were 1700 73-74, 1800 75-76, 2000 77 onwards; only one displacement of type4 engine was available at any particular time. I seem to remember reading somewhere that Autovillas, especially early models, were offered with the type1 1600 engine, but I can't imagine what that must have been like to drive. I don't suppose they sold many of them.

So, back to my first point, if they used panelvans and microbuses as bases, the distinction most likely related to cab spec; otherwise it was luck of the draw what they could get from VWSA.

[Ron&Gill]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Well roger me with a prize winning leek... So do WJ Autovilla also have approval from VWSA, I wonder.

[Nigel A. Skeet]

Nigel: Please do remind us of your question once again (I know we can do the quote-unquote, but it would be good to see if you still want contributions) as I see the lads here have been playing with their toys and thus have not listened to and answered the question as asked by you.

I have finally received the official appointment, as honorary Technical Editor of Transporter Talk, the bi-monthly magazine of the British, Volkswagen Type 2 Owner's Club, which caters for all five generations of VW Transporter; 1950 onward.

I would be pleased to publish a feature on the various South African specification, VW commercials & campervans, including the early 1970s vintage, RHD Westfalia campervan conversion, whose campervan furniture & equipment layout, is very different from the "Continental" conversion, exported to the United Kingdom.

There is a good chance, that I might also be able to get it published in Volkswagen Camper & Commercial magazine, for which I have written some articles in the past.

There is at least 1 in Harrismith. Belongs to a local minister. If technical specs/valuable article info would benefit, give me a shout & wil c what l can do 4 the article.

Hi, I live in the UK and have a Type 2 Jurgens Autovilla 1976 dont know if this might be of intrest to you. Ive owned her for 6 years now and still enjoy everything about her.

Since the widespread proliferation of the Internet and various Volkswagen special-interest groups, clubs & forums around the World, the classic-VW owning community, has become increasingly international in outlook. So far, I have participated in VW Internet forums, based in Great Britain, Republic of Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the memberships of which, extend far beyond the host countries; including several where English is not the mother tongue. In recent years, there have also been published, several specialist, general-VW, VW Transporter & VW Campervan books, plus two commercially published, VW Transporter & Campervan magazines.

The following, are just a few examples, pertaining to the VW Transporter:

Michael Steinke, "VW Campingwagen 1951~1991", Schrader-Motor-Chronik, Schrader Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany, 2001, ISBN 3-613-87223-4.

David Eccles, "VW Transporter & Microbus - Specification Guide 1950~67", The Crowood Press, 2002, ISBN 1-86126-509-3.

Vincent Molenaar & Alexander Prinz, "VW Transporter & Microbus - Specification Guide 1967~79", The Crowood Press, 2005, ISBN 1-86126-765-7.

David Eccles, "VW Camper - The Inside Story: A Guide to VW Camping Conversions and Interiors 1951~2005", The Crowood Press, 2005, ISBN 1-86126-763-0 Hardback

Richard Copping, "Volkswagen Camper: Forty Years of Freedom: An A to Z of Popular Campervan Conversions", Veloce Publishing, 2007.

Richard Copping & Brian Screaton, "Volkswagen Transporter: The First 60 Years", Haynes Publishing Group, 2009.

From the Internet, plus specialist books & magazines, it has become increasingly apparent, that the specifications of the various VW base vehicles and the campervan conversions on the VW Transporter, differ quite markedly, from country to country. In my experience, VW owners are a gregarious and nosey cross-section of society, myself included, who are eager to learn about other peoples' vehicles, which differ from their own.

However, the level of detail in documenting many of these campervan conversions, from around the World, has been quite superficial on the whole, giving no more than a general impression of the featured vehicles; being in the form of "lifestyle" magazines and "coffe-table" books, rather than serious reference works.

In recent years, the British, Volkswagen Type 2 Owner's Club, Transporter Talk, General Editor, has reproduced in the magazine, several of the original sales brochures from the 1970s, including at least one British, low-volume campervan conversion (i.e. Oxley Coach Craft, Airflow Hightop & Rheinlander), of which I was previously unaware.

During a telephone discussion last night, about the matter, she confirmed that a feature article about South African VW campervan conversions, would be most welcome, including reproductions of original sales brochures, plus motoring and/or camping magazine revues from that era. Hence, the following motoring magazine revue, will be a good starting point.

"Test: Jurgens Autovilla motorised caravan", CAR, November 1979, Pages 72~74 & 76~77











Although the Jurgens Autovilla, is perhaps the best known 1968~79 VW Type 2 based, coachbuilt motorcaravan, it is by no means unique; recalling that Karmann produced this conversion under licence, as the Karmann Mobile, in both Germany and Brazil. Here is a single photograph of a somewhat different, British coachbuilt motorcaravan, of which you might not have been aware!?!



This is 1975 conversion, on a 1972 VW 16/1700 Type 2 panel van, with 1976~79 VW 2000 Type 2 engine, is reckoned to probably be, the only surviving example, of the GT Motorized Orlando, coachbuilt motorcaravan, built by GT, in Hull, England.

Ideally, I would like to revue the Jurgens Auto Villa and other campervan conversions in rather more detail, which might reasonably include the following.

(a) Base vehicle type - Deluxe Microbus, Microbus, Panel Van, Pickup, Doublecab Pickup, etc.

(b) Schematic diagrams and photographs of the vehicle interior and exteriors as appropriate, in different modes of use, such as travelling, cooking, dining & sleeping;

(c) External & internal views of storage facilities & appliances;

(d) Dimensions, weights & general technical specifications;

(e) Detailed summary and illustrations if possible, of any modifications required to the base vehicle;

(f) M-Codes and/or VW part numbers, of any factory-fitted options, which were associated with the campervan conversion (e.g. extended door mirrors, to see past the wider bodywork or uprated suspension to carry a heavier load);

(g) Praise & criticism of the campervan, in its different modes of use (including ease of transition), selection of construction materials and build quality.

I shall probably think of some more guidelines, in the near future.

First Autovilla was the 1960 prototype.

Saw 3 different types baywindow autovillas made in 1974. (All without the overcab extension).

1)-Early 74 ones had a square side entry door, similar to early seventies Jurgens caravans.
(The one that went on the George trip this year is like that),

2)-Later ones has a door with rounded edges. The door is more forward than later models.
The stove and sink is between the door and bed/seats and table.

3)-Then later, the door was moved more backwards. Now the stove and sink lives forwards of the door,
and the bed is bigger.

Chassis numbers suggests it was built on a panelvan chassis.(and not the pickup version).
VW strengthened the chassis by boxing the bottom, like on sunroof and doubledoor versions.
They also added additional strengthening at the bottom, and slightly widened and lengthened the rear.

Does anybody know the production quantities of each type?

It would certainly be interesting, to learn about the different variants (including production numbers); even in the form of a written description, if original brochures or photographs illustrating this, are not available.

[Nigel A. Skeet]

Note to Nigel: Firstly, thank you for your contribution to this forum, secondly, congratulation on your appointment, and thirdly, I would contribute to your atricles, except I don't know anything that you might find interesting, except maybe how to put a long gearbox into a short space... I'll gladly write you an article on this mysterious and dark subject, with pics.

I am interested in all sorts of technical upgrades & modifications, relevant to VW Transporters. What do you mean precisely, by "put a long gearbox into a short space"? If it's likely to be of interest, to at least a few VWT2OC members, then I will seriously consider it for publication.

Personally, I would very much like to find a practical way, of transplanting a 1983 onward, VW Type 25 (i.e. Transporter T3) five-speed transaxle, into a 1972~79 VW Type 2, whose various gear & final-drive ratio options, would be a good match to the various factory-stock and slightly modified, VW 1600 & 17/18/2000 Type 2, air-cooled engines. I favour the ratios of the five-speed transaxle, from the 1983~92 VW Type 25, with 1•9 litre petrol-fuelled flat-four, water-cooled engine, for use with my 1911 cm³ displacement, VW411LE based hybrid engine, which is destined for transplantation, into my 1973 VW "1600" Type 2.