Austin J2 Camper PROJECT Very Rare Classic Vehicle

This was MOT’d and used regularly by me on the road until the end of 2010. 

She is for sale as a Project for Spares or Repair

Whilst she would require major work to bring her back to as new condition, if you have good mechanical and above average DIY (mainly woodworking) skills, I believe she can be made useable with relatively little effort and expense. 

She really is an eye catching vehicle and in her current state creates way more attention than the ‘Rat-Look’ VW Splitties and Sambas (I believe the J2 was developed to compete with the forward control VW T2s).

Whilst she can still be driven, has five good tyres and I believe everything is working, there is no current MOT.  There is absolutely no assurance that she would pass an MOT test without at least some advisories, so she will ideally need to be trailored away. 

I have loads of photographs and am happy to give a more detailed description of any aspect if you’re interest.  Drop me a line if you would like to see or know more.

You will see from my feedback that my descriptions are as accurate as possible and I do not mislead.  I have tried to highlight all the issues and problems but if you're interested I would recommend viewing before bidding.

The photographs show pretty much what I describe below and I have tried to illustrate the bad points as clearly as possible:

The Driver and Passenger Doors are intact and open and latch closed, but there is some significant corrosion to the door bottoms (the drivers is the worst as shown in the close up).

The Door Seals are almost non existent and will need replacing

The Door Cards are home made and less than perfect

The Window Seals and Drivers Side Quarter Catch have pretty much had their day

There are two Door Mirrors but one is a larger after-thought, the other has a broken glass

The doors need adjusting to ensure clearance from the body as they close

There is Corrosion to the end of the Exhaust Tail Pipe (shouldn’t be an MOT failure)

 

There are 5 Serviceable Tyres

 

I believe the Engine is the standard 1489cc BMC.  The V5, which is in my name states 1256, but the engine number, the Manual and the way she drives suggest that this is a DVLA error.

The Engine may still be configured for leaded fuel only but when I acquired the vehicle, there were the remains of a lead free conversion in the back (I cannot confirm there has been a conversion, but I have tried running her with Unleaded and with the Addeditive – and cannot prove it either way but she didn’t pink on unleaded)

 

The electrics have been converted to an Alternator

 

The Gearbox is a 4 Speed X Box (1^st Gear is located where 4^th is these days) all gears work fine but 1st is non synchro as standard

 

There is Large Leisure Battery which seems to hold charge, but I recommend renewing this.

 

There is Surface Rust on many of the steel panels, especially internally on the Parcel Shelves, but with the exception of the door frame described below, I do not believe any welding is needed for MOT. 

The Steel Wheel Arches (front and rear) seem to be in good condition (far better than typical for VWs of this age)

 

The original Seats are badly worn and need refurbishment but I have two Saab seats that I will throw in if wanted

 

There are seat belts, but I am unhappy about their mounting and strongly recommend these be inspected or replaced (the Saab seats have built in seat belts and side airbags, but the air bags and explosive pre-tensioners will not function without Saab control systems!)

 

There is one small through Corrosion Hole in the top of the drivers Door Frame.  This may require welding

 

Externally there is some minor crazing to the fibreglass top above the passenger side and she really could do a lot of tidying (unless you love the rat look) and a respray.

 

The sky-lights were broken and capped off with plastic lids - replacements are available and the opening mechanisms are still in place and working

 

One Tail Light is Broken (Mk1 Mini or Van is the same and available) and there is a Crease and Dent to the very Rear (photo)

 

Some of the wooden framing has rotted out and will need replacing

 

Within the Camper Body there is:

Toilet/Sink Area with lifting sink and water tank (unknown condition).  This is enclosed by a door/partition which folds away when not in use

There is storage above the drivers area and a wardrobe in the main body

There are a number of units and cupboards with doors and covers as shown and a chest of drawers and all need attention but are saveable

The sleeping area comprises a Table and 2 x 2 seaters with Foam Cushions – with storage bins under.  The table drops to form the centre of the 6’ long Double Bed.  The size of this is just OK for me if I’m on my own but is just too short to share (I am 6’5”)

All the bed seating woodwork and much of the ply/hardboard needs extensive repair or replacement

The foam cushions, covers and curtains need replacing, but these and all the dodgy woodwork have been retained to allow patterns to be made for replacement.

There is an Original Gas Cooker – with 2 Rings, Grill with Grill Pan and Oven With Oven Pan

Original Sink with single tap and foot pump (condition of pump unknown)

Original Gas Fridge

Original Small Gas Heater

2 Original Gas Lights (these require mantels)

Electric Lights

All the equipment will need to be tested so please assume this is not working or in need of repair

The Main Door Seal is worn beyond use and there is damp and a big area of rot around the door frame.  There is also damp around all window woodwork (repairable) and some of the seals leak

The roof liners are still installed but one has slight tear (this is hardboard).  This has sagged and does need attention

There is no mains hook up and no leisure battery

The Jack and Starting Handle and the Gas Regulator (untested) shown in the photos are included