To fully understand exactly what you’re looking at here, we need to take you back a few years to around 2011.
Back then, Jamie Colley was the proud owner of a very respectable-looking Type 25 with a 1.6TD engine. The problem was, there was nothing respectable about being overtaken my petrol tankers for a guy who works as a technician for Porsche.
Jamie: “I’d seen a few Subaru conversions doing the rounds, but I decided to keep it VAG and fitted a 1.9TDi engine from an Audi instead.”
He did all the work himself, including the necessary upgrades to fly-by-wire control. Now, you might not know Jamie, but we’re confident you’ll know somebody just like him: “Once I’ve done something and, in my eyes it’s finished, then it’s up for sale,” he explains. Does that ring any bells?
“People can never understand why I’d get rid of something I’ve poured so many hours into, but for me it’s about the building of them. That’s what I really enjoy.”
Movin’ on
As you can probably imagine, a Type 25 with a 1.9TDi Audi engine didn’t take long to sell, so when that moved on to pastures new, an altogether more modern T5.1 took its spot.
“I just did the usual Camper conversion on that one,” recalls Jamie. “You know, cut a hole in the roof, fit a pop-top… It was beautiful. But then one day I just thought, sell it.”
That episode didn’t go quite so smoothly, though, as there were other interested parties this time around – namely his family!
“We had some great holidays in it down to France, and all round the UK, and I don’t think they were as ready to let it go as I was.
“There were bits I really had to change, but I just didn’t want to take it too far.”
Secret agent
This story is from the Issue 88 edition of VWt Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 88 edition of VWt Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Cinema paradiso
VisionTech Automotive is well known for its high-end Camper conversions, but a mobile cinema is a new one from the Essex boys
High Impact
When the wonderfully named Kevin Snuggs wanted a Van to double up as a work promo vehicle and family Camper, only a T5 would do
Altitude adjustment
Hi VWt, I wanted to share my pride and joy with you.
The big 3-0-0
Not too many people start with a horsepower figure when they begin a Van conversion, but James Sharp wanted something different out of his Transporter
3-day itch
Building promo Vans is a joy. You get to create what you want to showcase your vision. For a short while…
On the road again
A couple of months ago we were involved in an unfortunate incident. This month we’re happy to say it’s all fixed and looking good
Making Memories
Naming your Camper conversion business after a part of the brain might not sound very sexy, but when it’s the part that deals with motivation and memory, it starts to make more sense
Pete's meat
This isn’t our first rib rodeo, but here’s an alternative method of pre-BBQ prep for equally delicious baby back ribs`
Letting off steam
When the missus announced she was heading for a university visit with our eldest, Oscar and I decided to put the two-berth T5 through its paces in north Norfolk
System PORSCHE
If VW and Porsche worked together on a T6 we suspect it would have a little more power but, looks-wise, we reckon Jamie Colley has nailed it
