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My name is Tamara, I'm 35 years old and I chose the Volkswagen T1
because I dreamt of owning a mobile home for quite some time
We'd found a van in the US and decided to have it shipped to The Netherlands
but the owner changed his mind at the last moment so the plan fell through
We continued our online search and that same night we were lucky enough to find the exact same version in the UK
We booked a couple of one-way tickets, flew over there and checked out the van
We ended up liking it so much we drove it all the way back to The Netherlands
and that alone turned out to be a fun and special trip in itself
We drove back via Dunkirk and once back in The Netherlands we started working mainly on the van's technical aspects
the bottom has been painted and although it was covered in flush rust it's completely original and non-welded
In April of this year we've had it taken apart and painted in these particular colours
since it is an original colour used in 1965 and I liked it somewhat better
When it rolled off the production belt it was evenly white, but I personally wasn't entirely happy with that colour
The bicolour suits this particular model very well so that's why these colours were chosen
About a Month ago the restoration was, more or less, completed
The ceiling and the rubbers have been replaced and we've searched for the authentic, original parts
like for example the aluminium cups in the little cupboard
Additionally I keep looking out for items from the same time frame
which match in order to form a unity. Even with the china and everything else used with it
I recently found the original fitted stove which goes into the cabinet. These are the little things that complete the image
and I believe our family knows how to enjoy its style and ethos when we take it on a trip
I'd never driven one before, its steering is quite different
When in the UK we had to drive on the left hand side, quite exciting at times
but fun at the same time. Definitely a very special experience
And the response you get from people when driving the van is amazing
everyone greets you with an enthusiastic wave and films you
which is such a fun and uplifting experience
The van feels like driving around on your living room couch, there're no separate seats so it does feel like sitting on a couch
You do tend to lean on the wheel while driving
And since it is quite low you lean forward a little which causes you to assume a somewhat strange posture
It took a while to get used to but once you get the hang of it you'll love the way it drives
We sometimes take the van to a nearby lake and go for a swim
By now people know us so we're allowed to park the van right at the lakeside. Simply amazing
We park right on the shore so we can enjoy its view all day while we have a good time
and at night it's parked in the garage
Another reason for choosing a van is going on camping trips when we had kids
it's something you can enjoy doing as a family, I think
And it truly is something we can share and enjoy together
this was yet another reason for me to own a T1
What I love about this van is the look and feel of the '50s and '60's that comes with it
when first produced
That is something I'm trying to establish with the van, by using details
combined with the colours of both tent and van
I am striving to revive the idea from times past, the way it was used back then
Not just the snug feeling, but also the style, the colours, the shape and a little conventionality is really appealing
To top it all off is the camping, it feels very homely yet very free at the same time
setting up camp randomly, anywhere you like is a combination of things I love
This is an experience I want to bestow on my children and have them take part in it
and so far they absolutely enjoy it so I think we can call it a success
The nostalgic feeling that comes with the van and its era is what I wanted to create
and absolutely love
Translation by Monique Kahlen