Peaceful demo
You know you’ve built a good Van when your new demonstrator is sold before you’ve even finished it, just from a few photos on the internet Words Jim Blackstock
Photos Dan Pullen
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couple of months ago, we featured the latest demonstrator from conversion specialists VW-T (a stand alone company and nothing to do with us - Ed), based on a brand-spanking new Sportline. The concept behind the Camper conversion was to demonstrate the company’s approach, blending genuine innovation with OE standards of fit and workmanship. Not surprisingly, the quality of the conversion was so high that the Van didn’t remain in the company’s hands for very long. In fact, pretty much as soon as it debuted on the show scene, the company received an offer they simply couldn’t refuse, though not, thankfully, of the Mafia variety. And so they were faced with the prospect of not having a demonstrator. Clearly, this isn’t acceptable and so the company, under the guidance of sales manager Tom Varkala, embarked on building its next demo vehicle. As the original was based on a brand new, top-of-the-line Van and the very best (read: genuine VW) equipment, it was no cheap exercise. In fact, the base vehicle alone was around £30,000 and, by the time VW-T had finished with it, it stood them in the thick end of £50,000, according to Tom. So they decided the second demo vehicle should be just as innovative, just as useable and built to just as high standards, but this time starting with a secondhand Van and using aftermarket parts to produce a similar quality Camper on a more achievable budget.
Pendle power
After a bit of scouring, they found this 2.0-litre, 84bhp Panel Van at auction, just a year old and in very nice condition. Now, 84 is a very unreasonable number when it comes to Van engine power outputs, but as the engines on all variants – with the exception of the Sportline – are mechanically identical, VW-T immediately fitted a Pendle Performance re-map, bringing the output straight up to 160bhp. VW-T is a Pendle dealer and knew that the conversions had all been developed to work with the factory gearbox ratios, so the knew there would be no additional worries there. The brakes were also left alone, since they were just about brand new and the guys felt they would be quite up to the job of hauling the Van up to rest, even with a few more ponies and torque on tap. However, the suspension was dropped 40mm using a set of H&R lowering springs, fitted alongside the factory dampers. But here’s where we get interesting. The 20-inch wheels are replicas of those fitted to the Audi TT RS model. However, as aftermarket examples, they are not only sensible money, they also fit the T5 stud pattern and have an offset that means they fill the ’arches perfectly. And when we say perfectly, we really do mean it. 88 VWt
VWt 89