The Gift that Keeps on Giving

This tin top camper has been lovingly looked after by just three owners in its life, and each time it changed hands the previous owner gifted it to the new owner.

- DAVID ECCLES

Built-in April 1977 as a 7 seater Microbus (2218) finished in Sage Green and Pastel white, it was also fitted with the 2 litre Type 4 engine compliant with the Californian emission laws. As a US export model, it carried the usual array of US-spec package options, along with detachable headrests and cab vent windows. The first owner took possession in June and after 18 month’s use took it to Californian converters Spirit Campers, which had relaunched itself in the mid70s, having originally been Safari Campers. They carried out a budget conversion, without fitting the distinctive trademark Spirit High Roof. In 2007 it was gifted to the second owner and then in March 2013, it was once again gifted on to its current owner, Heiko Kaftan.

Heiko recalls that by now it was very scruffy, the paint dull and faded and the interior damaged and tatty – but the bodywork and chassis showed no sign of rust whatsoever! He drove it back home from SoCal to Las Vegas, discovering a fuel leak in the engine bay that required immediate attention, and once home set about restoring it.