Ann the Van • A 1972 Sportsmobile Camper II

Ann the Van is an essentially original Volkswagen 1972 Sportsmobile, Camper II configuration. Sportsmobile, a recreational vehicle upfitting company that is still in business, used the Volkswagen Kombi as its base vehicle in 1972. The Camper II configuration includes the trademark Penthouse Poptop with the upper bunk plus an extension, a lower bench/bed, a rear-facing jump seat with table, a sink/refigerator unit, a closet, and other cabinetry. This particular camper also came with special map pockets in the doors.

[Ann the Van]

[1972 Sportsmobile Camper II]

Ann the Van was purchased new in Lexington, Kentucky by the Brandenbergers, who later lived and worked in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The camper is named for Ann Brandenberger, who sold the bus to me in 2015. She could not prove that the 55,000 miles on the speedometer was real, but I find so many clues to originality on this vehicle that I believe it. The doors shut solidly and have the original plastic sheeting inside. The front floor may is Immaculate! The steering and handling are like new.

General notes on condition

Ann the Van is a mostly original 1972 Sportsmobile, Camper II configuration. The body is in very good condition, with no rust. The interior shows some signs of wear, with minor tears in the vinyl upholstery in the rear, and could use new curtains. The white vinyl that was used on interior camper surfaces also needs replaced. The poptop roof is in need of repair, with some water damage to the original fiberboard. The canvas itself is in good shape, as are the heavy duty zippers, but the insect screens are torn. The original front seat upholstery is in excellent condition, as is everything else in the cab. Aside from the windshield, all other the glass and seals are in good shape.
The unique Sportsmobile Penthouse poptop is the same basic design that is used today, and works fine. With the white vinyl gone, it is apparent that some repair of the paneling on the bottom of the poptop may be indicated.
The camper is powered by its original CB series 1.7-L dual carbureted engine, with the original Solex 34 PDSIT carburetors rebuilt by Tim at Volkzbitz. Compression is high and balanced on all cylinders, and the engine runs strong.
Compression numbers by cylinder, corrected for 7300 ft elevation:
1: 132, 2: 150 3: 125, 4: 125 (psi)
I have replaced the tires with tough off-road BF Goodrich tires of proper light truck rating, including the spare, which is mounted to the front with a unique Sportsmobile mount that allows the tire to face outwards so that air pressure can be easily checked.

A deciphering of the M-codes:

The M-code plate:

22 052 431 E 060651 A02 507 44 4 7907 UW 2313 41

Interpretation of the M-codes:

22 1972 model year 052 431 serial number E unknown 0606 paint color L90D Pastel White (pastelweiss) top and bottom 51 upholstery dark beige leatherette A02 USA specification 507 vent wings in front doors 44 4 production date 4th day of 44th week: Thursday 28 October 1971 7907 temporary production number UW exported to Washington, DC 2 Type 2 body 31 Kombi, LHD 3 5 seats (2-3-0) 4 engine spec: Type 4 (CB) - 1679cc, 49 kW (66 bhp) 1 manual transaxle

Best Features

No rust. This body is solid.
Original Type IV 1.7-L CB engine runs strong, with the original (and nicely rebuilt) dual Solex carburetors
The paint is a good respray of unknown age, but is in good condition
5 new excellent off-road tires (BF Goodrich LT165/75R14 99/96R M+S)
All Hella turn signal lenses
No rattles. Door and window rubber still seals well.
Instruments work
Solid steering and handling
All glass intact except windshield
Original front seat upholstery is in great condition
Original front door panels and fancy map pockets are in good shape
Outside black plastic trim on louvered windows
Original mechanical fuel pump works well

The Restoration

Parts acquired so far for restoration:
- NOS (new old stock) driver's door lock mechanism
- slider door lock parts
- original black trim panels for the jalousie windows
- new jalousie window winder knobs
- impossible-to-find (almost!) 3-way vacuum fitting for right carburetor
- new poptop seal
- replacement tow hook
- replacement correct water tank
- new battery
- NOS front turn signal and housing, right
- new exterior mirrors
- 1972 YOM license plate - New Mexico; this can go with the camper
- custom dolly for removable sink/fridge cabinet when out of camper
Work done so far towards restoration:
- cleaned all the junk out
- got the engine running, with a lot of instruction from Colin Kellogg
- rebuilt all door lock mechanisms; replaced driver's door lock mechanism with NOS part
- serviced rear hatch lock mechanism
- got keys cut to code
- restored paint and cleaned engine compartment (by JC Knecht)
- refinished rear bumper (some photos show it before repainting)
- gas tank rinsed; all fuel lines replaced
- replaced front right turn signal housing and lens with NOS
- replaced mangled front tow hook with very good original
- replaced 'merican truck mirrors from the previous owner with proper good aftermarket mirrors
- topped up transaxle gear oil
- lubricated front end; topped up steering gear box
- repacked all wheel bearings
- brake work:
- replaced poptop seal
- 5 new tires mounted
Work needed (by you) to complete the restoration:
- replace poptop board and install camper interior white vinyl
- repair or replace the curtains
- replace windshield
- service refrigerator and sink

Current (March 2018) photos:

		EXTERIOR

		Front left view of Ann the Van on the street

		The walkaround. Top up. Top down. Top up. Top down.
		INTERIOR

		The dashboard is in great shape.

		More of the dashboard. The original owner wanted no radio, so the radio delete plate is in place.

		Instrument panel.

		Speedometer and odometer. I believe that the 55,000 miles could be original, since there is so much original stuff on this bus, and it is mechanically so tight.

		The kick panels have their original black vinyl. A fire extinguisher is added to all my buses.

		The original front floor mat is in phenomenal condition.

		The floor under the mat on the right side is like new.

		The left side, not quite. Some surface rust (treated) has developed probably due to a windshield leak.

		The front seats got special Sportsmobile uphosltery, and it is still in fine condition, with no tears or bare spots. There are no head rests, since these were not introduced as an option until 1973. The original seat belts work.

		Driver's seat

		Passenger's seat

		The seat stand mats are replaced with nice reproductions from Wolfsburg West. The original ones fell apart in my hands.

		Driver's door is in great shape, complete with the optional Sportsmobile map pocket/arm rest. And a new NOS door lock mechanism.

		The passenger's door is likewise in great condition.

		In 1972, VW painted a blue traingle on the vent control. This detail was dropped the following model year.

		For daily driving, you might like to have the sink/fridge cabinet removed, and a rubber mat on the floor.

		The complete camper kit includes the sink and fridge cabinet.

		Sink and refigerator cabinet goes here, but it can be removed. The clips that secure it to the bulkhead need attention. I have not tested the refrigerator (which requires 110-v shore power) or the sink pump. The sink drains through a hole in the floor.

		Inside the refrigerator.

		Fridge door. Why does "fridge" have a "d" in it, but "refrigerator" has no "d"?

		The Sportsmobile badge. There was probably another on the back of the penthouse, but all that remains are the rivet holes and a masking in the paint.

		Sink and refigerator cabinet from the outside. Note dolly on pavement.

		The handy pop-up outside table!

		Under the outside table is a spice rack.

		The fresh water tank lives under the sink.

		I am including a custom dolly for the sink cabinet for when it is not in the vehicle.

		The jump seat can also be removed.

		Both the sink/fridge cabinet and the jump seat can be removed, with finished upholstery behind.

		The open space without the cabinet and jump seat allows for a ton of cargo. Literally! These buses are rated to carry nearly metric ton (2150 lb). Sorry about the red stain on the floor. I'm sure thare's a story behind that.

		Empty floor looking forward

		Rear seat and interior. There is storage space under the seat.

		Rear seat/bed as seat.

		Rear seat/bed as bed.

		With the seat up, the rear bed becomes a cargo area.

		Lower bunk sleeps two as well.

		Left side of rear bunk area.

		A cabinet with a sliding door and a shelf is in the back.

		The bed in the penthouse has plenty of screens (all in need of replacement), and a bed extension. Note that the original white vinyl on the roof as all but disappeared. This is true of the white vinyl throughout the inside of the camper.

		Looking up at the bottom of the penthouse roof, you see a light, the remains of some white vinyl, and some rotted material around the lift mechanism. Although the roof works, I would recommend replacing the ceiling soon.

		The roof rack is most easily accessed...

		...from the inside!

		Side and front walls of the penthouse have zippered walls, with insect screens that need replacment. The zippers are metal and really tough, though. Sportsmobile did way better than Westfalia on the zippers.
		ENGINE

		Original 1.7-L Type IV CB four-cylinder flat four pancake aircooled 49,000-watt power plant.

		Engine number CB018501, to be exact.

		The engine tin sports the rare I.O designation, which means it is original and has never been painted -- another indication of a low-mileage bus. It has been said that these are the initials of Inspector Otto.

		engine left

		engine center

		Original and nicely rebuilt Solex carburetor, left. What you see is mostly the choke.

		Here's a side view of the left carburetor. The left one is more complicated (with another solenoid) because it supports the idle air circuit.

		Right unit of the Solex dual carburetors. Well, the choke and mechanism, anyway.

		There's the side of the right carburetor.

		Good old coil. They don't make them like that anymore.

		Original vacuum advance distributor.

		Some idiot gorilla-handled the right side upper cooling tin, bending it upwards. Until a replacement piece is acquired and installed, or this one is removed and repaired (could work), a strip of aluminum duct tape will have to suffice. In the mean time, this hippie fix keeps the cooling air under the tin.

		1972 is the last model year for the oil bath intake air filter, and this one is specific to that year. What a great system in its simplicity.

		This engine has the original paper air intake hose, complete with the plastic anti-crush ring at the end. I've never seen one before.

		Here is the entire hose in all its intact glory.

		The factory diagnostic test block has many other uses.

		Sportsmobile installed a house battery (not included) and an isolator, seen here. I've added a convenient battery disconnect knife switch. Yes, this is not the correct battery, since in 1972 the positive pole was on the left. But it works.

		Little details like this original air hose clamp are special.
		UNDERCARRIAGE

		It's not the most flattering view, but everything is there. Well, except for the right side sled tin. A replacement is in the offing.

		Exhaust, left side. The heat works well.

		Right side exhaust.

		Wheel wells all around are good metal, though the left rear seems to have had some low-rate bodywork (see the pop-rivets along the seam). It is nevertheless holding up well.

		Fronst suspension, left side.

		Fronst suspension, right side. Note the lovely 1972 tow hook, a correct replacement for the original, which was mangled.

		Undercarriage at the left front jack point.

		Undercarriage at the left rear jack point.

		Undercarriage at the right front jack point.

		Undercarriage at the right rear jack point.

		Undercarriage left front

		Undercarriage left rear

		Undercarriage right side

		Undercarriage at rear torsion bar - left side

		ndercarriage at rear torsion bar - right side

		transaxle (fluid level is good)
		OTHER STUFF

		Tires!

		Gotta love these BF Goodrich LT 195/75R14 99/96R M+S Load Range D tires. If only they made them in the stock diameter of 185, so that the engine did not have to work harder.

		VIN stamp

		From upper left, clockwise: M-code plate load rating and tire pressures US Federal conformance sticker Sportsmobile sticker with model and ID A small shred of the "pastelweiss" paint code sticker.

		The M-code plate

		The camper is registered with this New Mexico Year-of-Manufacture plate for 1972.