VW Vanagon Camper Van Uniquely Blends Old and New Elements, Features a Massive Skylight

A few days ago, I wrote about a 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon – it was one of the most "no-frills” conversions I've ever seen. Even though the rig I'm checking out today is based on a similar 1985 model, it couldn't be further from it when it comes to features and looks.

Ben, the owner and converter of this van, renovated it inside and out. He bought the van when it had a hefty 260,000 miles (418,429 km). To ensure adequate performance, he replaced the transmission and the 1.9-liter engine with another identical unit with less mileage.

It's hard to beat the Vanagon's iconic aesthetic. Ben, the owner and converter of this van, made some modifications that fit perfectly with its personality. This unit boasts a unique paint job: yellow complemented by white touches, such as strips on the sides and the roof. Beautiful original chrome hub caps complete the look.

Let me tell you more about the most notable exterior mods. On the roof, you'll discover a rack holding a small wooden deck, a solar panel, a spare tire, a storage box, and a chair. On the passenger side, Ben mounted a decently sized awning.

Then, at the rear, you'll notice a small ladder housing a fuel canister. Flip the trunk door up, and you'll discover a small cabinet on the left side with a foldable dishwasher drawer underneath. What's more, behind the cabinet, there's a compartment housing a sizeable water tank. It's connected to an outdoor shower, which can be attached to the rear door when it's open, allowing you to wash yourself outside.

Let's continue with the opposite side of the van, the driver's cabin. Ben kept many of the space's original elements. He also replaced the passenger seat with a swiveling one from a Westfalia model. Furthermore, the space between the two seats is occupied by a safe.

Stepping into the living space from the driver's cabin is easy, as there's nothing blocking the way. The coolest part about this camper's interior is a massive skylight above—it not only allows plenty of light to shine inside but it can also be opened to allow Ben to stand up straight when inside.

Ben devised the kitchen dead ahead of the entrance. It features a portable two-burner stove with a cover for extra counter space, a small fridge, a detachable swivel table, an ice box, a spice rack, a fruit basket, an overhead shelf, and a cabinet with three shelves.

Regarding design, Ben used two types of wood in his build: maple for the cabinetry and pine for the countertop. What's more, the ceiling is also finished with wood slats. However, there was already a lot of wood inside, and Ben also wanted protection against water, so he opted for a vinyl floor.

We've already covered more than half of the interior. That was pretty fast, right? This is how it usually goes with camper vans that are this small. Moving on, we have the couch at the rear of the interior, which consists of a bench. Underneath, you'll find the van's electrical system – its highlights are a deep cycle battery, a solar charge controller, and an inverter. Unfortunately, we don't know the battery's capacity. However, since this rig has few power consumers, Ben probably has a relatively small battery of 100-200 Ah.

Transforming the bed into a couch is simple. You just have to lift the base panel, pull it toward you, and then let it back down. It's a twin-size bed, so there's plenty of space for Ben to sleep - I'm sure you easily fit two people on it as well.

This rear space is also where you'll notice most of the storage spaces. On the driver's side, you'll find the cabinet and the water tank compartment I mentioned earlier, followed by a tall compartment with three shelves that double as nightstands. The largest storage spots are two wide cabinets. Oh, and there's a massive net above the bed, as well as a headliner storage compartment.

All in all, Ben took this iconic 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon and built its interior from scratch. What I find impressive about his conversion is that he managed to hold on to the van's roots while still integrating much-needed modern features, all encased in an aesthetically pleasing package. Cutting that big of a hole in the roof surely took some courage, but the result was definitely worth the risk.