--- title: "This Immaculate VW T1 Pickup Resto-Mod is a Camper That’s Ready for Anything" description: "[VW T1 Transporters]() may be cute, but they often meet only the barest minimums for what you can call a camper. They could be made so, *so* much more comfortable, as shown by this no-expenses-spared 1961 VW T1 camper that's…" date: "2022-10-12" modified: "2022-10-12" authors: - name: "James Gilboy" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-immaculate-vw-t1-pickup-resto-mod-is-a-camper-thats-ready-for-anything" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "For Sale" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Volkswagen News" tags: - "rvs" - "Volkswagen" --- # This Immaculate VW T1 Pickup Resto-Mod is a Camper That’s Ready for Anything ![]() *\Facebook Marketplace | Suzanne Grooters-Roorda\* [VW T1 Transporters]() may be cute, but they often meet only the barest minimums for what you can call a camper. They could be made so, *so* much more comfortable, as shown by this no-expenses-spared 1961 VW T1 camper that's supposed to have taken 10 years to build. It just so happens that it's also up for sale, for a price that could still get you a home in some cheaper parts of the country. Currently listed for sale on [Facebook]() is a VW T1 camper that has been the subject of a ground-up [resto-mod]() alongside its conversion into a camper. It's baked on a "Doka," or an abbreviation for the German word for a crew-cab pickup, *Doppelkabine*. Where its flatbed once was, however, is now a king-size bed, enclosed in a camper shell with a pop-up roof. ![]() ![]() The camper is equipped with everything one could want on the go, and then some. Its Porsche-sourced front seats can rotate to face a living area outfitted with a fridge, LED lighting, Bluetooth speakers, multiple USB chargers, and a heated floor, all powered by dual [12-volt car batteries](). Every last one of its windows opens, and they're double-glazed for better insulation, while roller screens and blackout curtains offer privacy. On the outside is a kitchen beneath a canopy, along with gas and power hookups. No word on a privy, but that roof rack can surely fit a shovel and some toilet paper. Much of the same care has been applied to the VW's mechanicals, which are headlined by a larger-displacement engine at 2.4 liters. The flat-four is slightly augmented by dual Weber [carburetors](), a stainless steel exhaust, and an external oil cooler. It's not clear how much power it makes, but it's certainly not enough to overcome its four-wheel disc brakes, much less damage the van's "overhauled" four-speed manual transmission. ![]() ![]() ![]() Because modern amenities packaged with vintage style is gentrification in a nutshell, one needn't be told this van is priced like a Denver gastropub burger. The seller is asking $100,000—and remember, this van is still powered by an air-cooled engine that *might* not make the speed limit on our nation's fastest highways. If that's not a deal-breaker, or you just feel like window-shopping, you can see this camper in person on Saturday at [OCTO Fest 2022]() in Long Beach, California. It might be your last guaranteed chance to lay eyes on it, as it's not hard to imagine this VW going to a new home that same day. *Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com* ## Author James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids." ### Author social links [Instagram]()