A True Ground-Up Rebuild
Following a personal recommendation, Ethan’s 1969 Bay Window Camper arrived at Retro Vehicle Restorations after spending years stalled at another restoration shop.
Unfortunately, this is a story we hear far too often — projects started with good intentions, then left untouched and unfinished. When a classic vehicle is neglected mid-restoration, the only correct approach is to start again… properly.
1969 early bay platform, undergoing full bare-metal restoration with period-correct camper intent.
Back to Bare Shell – The Right Way
Our first step was a complete strip-down. Every component, clip, fixing, and fastener was carefully removed, catalogued, and assessed. No shortcuts. No assumptions. Just a clean slate and a clear plan.
This approach ensures:
- Correct structural repairs
- Accurate panel alignment
- Long-term reliability
- A finish that meets original factory standards
It’s the only way to deliver a restoration that will stand the test of time
Built With Care, Built To Last
At Retro Vehicle Restorations, we specialise in full, nut-and-bolt restorations of classic and retro vehicles. Each build is treated as a bespoke project, carried out with precision, patience, and respect for the vehicle’s history.
Ethan’s Bay Window Camper is now on the path to becoming something truly special, restored the way it always should have been.
This 1969 Volkswagen Type 2 T2a Kombi represents a defining moment in Volkswagen’s history, sitting firmly in the early Bay Window era when the marque evolved its much-loved transporter for a new generation. Built at the close of the 1960s, the T2a combined the unmistakable character of the original Type 2 with subtle but important refinements, including the iconic curved bay windscreen, improved ergonomics, and the clean, purposeful lines that have since become synonymous with the model. Early bay Kombis are immediately recognisable by details such as low-mounted front indicators and the distinctive early nose pressing — visual cues that place this vehicle squarely in its late-1960s heritage.
Now at the very beginning of its restoration journey with Retro Vehicle Restorations, this Kombi is being carefully stripped back and assessed, allowing us to understand its story before shaping its future. As a Kombi, it was originally built for versatility, making it the perfect foundation for a sympathetic, period-respectful restoration that honours both its working roots and its cultural significance. Over the coming months, we’ll be documenting each stage of the process from metalwork and preparation through to the finer details that bring an early bay back to life.
Keep an eye on this page as the restoration progresses as we’ll be sharing updates, insights, and imagery that chart the transformation of this late-1960s icon and reveal how this T2a Kombi ultimately emerges for its next chapter on the road.
Got a Build in Mind?
We are currently accepting restoration bookings for 2026.
If you’re considering a full restoration, recommission, or long-term project, now is the time to get in touch and secure your place in our workshop schedule.