Description:

Serendipity (formely known as 'The Duke') is a 1958 (one the early batches of the 1959 models) Volkswagen Type2 T1, an ex-Swiss Army radio bus! It has a 1776cc Air-cooled engine with electronic ignition, and Porsche 944 disc brakes on all four corners.

Upon arrival and registration in the UK in 2000 there were many of its existing army features including rifle rack, pigeon cage and external rooftop aerial - but not anymore. However, some of the original features have been retained from its radio van days such as internal signage, anti-grenade bars, convoy light, map table, leather map pocket, aluminium window blackouts and blackout blind between cab and rear.

In 2010 the van underwent bare metal respray in Ducati Anniversary Red with hand-painted sign writing. The idea behind the design came from an image of a barn door being used as a Ducati race support vehicle in the 50s and a picture from a brochure of a split-screen in sealing wax red. Ducati also made air-cooled motorcycles but little do people know that they also made radios. So it seemed natural to incorporate these into the van's history.

This bus is solid throughout and has never needed to be welded and still has working semaphores with original motors . It runs on 1776cc engine machined by Pete at 'Cogbox' and built by Luke at 'Terry's Beetles' this included modifications such as electronic ignition, external oil filter, deep sump and genuine weber 44 IDF's. Helping stop the bus is Porsche 944 disk brakes all round which had a major overhaul inc new seals, rear brake lines and new shocks all round in 2013. Additionally, in 2021 it has had brand new custom made handbrake line cable. And the owner of this business (a VW specialist) has admitted that this bus is one of the top he has seen, and the backend conversion is probably the best quality job it could be, he said he seen many, but none were done THAT good!

Also, it has had a top end rebuild and a year later a bottom end rebuild, so technically you could say it has a new engine! The bus also is equipped with automatic fire suppression system fitteed along with fit-and-forget fuel lines and a fuel cut off solenoid. It has a split charge relay fitted and a leisure battery fitted with electric hook up should need along with various sockets inside the bus.

The boot lid and the cargo doors have been repainted in 2021 and lacquered over as the original lacquer has been peeling and to prevent any further damage the job has been done as soon as it was possible at Paintworx - Loughborough.

The bus is a very well known bus in the VW community, it has been to plenty meets, there exists a fair amount of merchendise featuring this bus, such as Flat-Four Co (found in links below). The bus participated in Run the Ring charity events, classic car shows and is registered to attend the 2023 Gravity Show (but if ownership changes, mighgt be worth getting in touch with them).

This campervan has been featured in many magazines, including the Volks World, Camper & Commercial, SSVC, and many more! Some of the places it has been featured have been kept, or a copy of it has been made and it is being kept in the folder full of its history, including the magazines, manuals, invoices, health checks... just a lot of paperwork really :D

Overall, I guess the bus speaks for itself, it is highly outstanding and attracts a lot of attention wherever it goes. Passers-by wave and take pictures, and you can see how many people smile when they see it, it really does make you happy and puts you in a good mood!

Links:

@ducatisplit Instagram Account

FlatFour Co Instagram

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/6a62bx

http://my1969vwmicrobus.blogspot.com/2017/05/big-bang-vw-festival-2017-part-3-of-4.html?m=1

http://my1969vwmicrobus.blogspot.com/2017/02/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_2