VA14503 Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Panel Van, Foxon Park

The van modelled left the production line in the company’s Wolfsburg factory on March 4th, 1957, and was despatched to Ohio, USA eleven days later. It was first painted in the distinctive livery of the Connecticut-based soft drinks maker Foxon Park in the early 21st century by the then owner because he’d always admired the livery on the company’s fleet of American-made vans. It was imported into the UK in 2008, still sporting the Foxon Park livery over olive green paint and was road legal but needed work. Current owners, Northamptonshire-based VW enthusiasts Sharon and Chris Lodge, bought it in July 2009 and after using it for two years decided to restore it thoroughly.

The van was stripped down by well-known specialist Bobby Wilcox of Milk and Two who painstakingly rebuilt the structure, correcting the many poor-quality repairs revealed by media blasting. The 1600 engine was rebuilt by Laurie Pettit and Rayvern Hydraulics built a custom suspension system to give the van that all-important stance. Mr Whitewalls added a white band to tyres mounted on stock 15-inch rims. It was painted in its original factory colour, L31 Dove Blue, by Bruce Collins at WRP Paint & Restoration and expert signwriter Allen Osbourne then reinstated the Foxon Park livery by hand, a process which took two days. The finished van was featured on the cover of Volks World magazine and is one of the UK’s most admired Type 2s.

Engine: 1776cc HO OHV

Fuel system: Twin Weber 34ITC Carburettors.

Exhaust: Vintage Speed

Power: 75bhp

Suspension: Hydraulic height adjustable system by Rayvern Hydraulics using narrowed and raised front beam, tubbing on all 4 corners and a fluid dispersal spring box system.

Gearbox: Type Beetle RS conversion.