Get Ready To Bid for the Right To Own This Converted "Of-Era" VW Type 2 With Fifth-Wheel

Ladies and gentlemen, Volkswagen has really been known for building amazing travel trailers, so whenever we see something like the machine before us, you can bet your bottom dollar it's a one-of-a-kind job. That said, let's explore this little gem I ran across recently. Oh, and guess what, it's up for auction!

That's right, folks! The machine we see here today can be ours, and all you have to do is get in on the auction action that's about to kick off in a couple of days on Car and Classic, an auction and automotive trading website that's been around for over a decade.

Now, to create something like this, a heavy amount of elbow grease has been applied. This further means that this 1963 Type 2 has seen massive modifications. Some of the custom work we can clearly see, while others, we can only hear - it's rocking a 5-cylinder, 2.0 l Audi S3 engine with an automatic gearbox. It does, however, have 38,343 km (23,825 mi) on the clock.

However, this puppy is so much more than just an engine, so let's dive into all the little knick-knacks that make this unit so unique. Let's start with the "tractor," as they call it, over on the other side of the Atlantic.

To understand what's going on here, I want you to imagine a Type 2, rip the rear half off the chassis, install a bed, a hitch, and some bars for protection and support, and you have yourself a beast like the one here. What I personally enjoyed about this cab is the way the owners, or whoever built it, tried to keep everything as "of the 60s as possible."

From the front, massive googly-eye headlights sit on both sides of that widow's peak bodywork, and just in case you need to be reminded of what you're looking at, the wall-worthy VW emblem shines with all its glory. Let's climb inside and see the world through 360 degrees of viewing pleasure.

Not only does the windshield present itself as a pair of eyelids, ready to be opened for airing out the interior and a clear view of the world around, but the interior has been "finished to look period correct." This means an original steering wheel and pedals but with an "of-era" shifter and after-market paneling.

As for the fifth wheel, this thing is on a whole different level than what I'm used to seeing. Not only does the bodywork and paint job match the flatbed truck that's pulling this bugger along, but if we're to throw an axle and a pair of wheels on the front, we'd be looking at another VW bus, sort of.

Best of all, the previous owners of this bugger to the time to ensure that the exterior is as ready for adventures as could be. There's a large roof rack on top and an awning, too, but the real attraction is the fact that part of the roof can be popped up, giving us taller folk the freedom to move around with ease. Let's head inside, shall we?

To do so, we have to access those suicide doors seen on the port side of the unit. Once our invitation has been made and the first steps are taken inside, we'll find ourselves in the middle of the camper with very little room to go anywhere; to the left is a massive wooden block, a fridge ahead, and to the right, a large bed that spans the entire width of the camper.

Regarding anything like a cooktop, sink, toilet, or shower, there doesn't seem to be any of that available. However, these sorts of features can be grabbed as extra and thrown into that basket on the roof. Or, as an alternative, you can use those storage bins we see at the front of the living space. Other than that, your personal touch is sure to bring this puppy back to life.

There are just a few things you need to consider if you've fallen in love with this mobile habitat. First and foremost is that this bugger is hanging out somewhere in England, so if you do place the winning bid, you'll have to worry about shipping if you live outside the UK.

Up next, we don't know just yet what the starting bid is set at. Car and Classic is yet to reveal just how much the owner of this hippie camper is looking to settle for. However, you can place your bid before the show is underway in the hopes that it's going to last until the end.

All that's left to do now is balance your budget and stand by for the bidding war to begin. The question is, how much would you pay for something like this? Feel free to comment below.