162 T2 - JUDGEMENT DAY...

While browsing for some Martini Racing bits ahead of the summer trip, I stumbled across this beauty. Distinctive yet minimal, this looks the mutt's nuts. This then sent me down a rabbit hole of looking for VW T2 vans on eBay, and the results were initially surprising.

For a few grand, I could pick up a '70s T2 with around 50000 miles on the clock - result. But, in the immortal words of Prince, "all that glitters aint gold". After examining the pictures a little closer, there was evidence of rust and poor repairs on all of them. Not the end of the world, but it means extra expense and time.

To pick up a structurally sound-looking van, it is more like 15 grand. That is a fair chunk of wedge for a van that is as old as me. On the plus side, it is an appreciating classic which will sell for what we pay for it. Make some future-proof changes and tasteful modifications, and it will actually make money.

I'd be tempted to mod the van, put in a Subaru engine, and add reliability and, most importantly, performance to the auld girl. How about a nice Porsche 911 engine to go with the livery? Get the correct unit; it is a straight swap. 0-60 in 8 seconds from the bus? Yes please!

I'd swap out the wheels for some period-appropriate Porsche alloys and upgrade to LED lights all around, keeping the old lenses to retain the original look, turning the bus into a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing, well, except for all the Martini and Porsche logos plastered all over it, obviously!

All pie in the sky, of course, but interesting to see this pop up. Definitely gives me ideas for potential future projects, let's see how I get on with the minor modifications to my Abarth that I have lined up...and have had lined up for 12 months so far!!!