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Tcash Samba Member

Joined: July 20, 2011 Posts: 12846 Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:27 pm Post subject: Kemperink |
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Kemperink
From Ebay Add.
The Family firm of Kemperink was founded in the 1890’s in Harbrinkoek near Almelo in Holland.
It was involved in various different trades including coach trimming. In 1931 it became specialist coach building firm, which also converted and built heavy goods wagons.
The original idea for the VW Transporter came from Dutchman Ben Pon and from the very beginning of the 1950’s these vehicles have proved to be extremely popular in Holland.
Volkswagen were already producing many different sorts of utility vehicle based on the VW transporter these included closed vans, pickups, ambulances, minibuses and fire engines. But soon traders were demanding a vehicle that offered more space.
It was Kemperink who came up with the first real solution. In 1954 they built the first LWB VW transporter. Basically a normal VW pickup chassis was lengthened by 90cm and a box van type section was then fitted.
This changed the wheelbase from 2400mm to 3300mm and produced a lightweight box van capable of carrying bulky goods, which could be loaded by pallet from the side or rear of the vehicle.
It offered a incredible 10 cubic metres of interior space instead of the standard 5 cubic metres. This was a lot better than almost every other 1 tonne van in production at the time. It was still powered by the 1192cc 40 hp engine and had an unloaded weight of 1200 – 1315kg.
The first van produced was delivered to a mattress manufacturer in Rotterdam. This was then followed by an order from a biscuit manufacturer called Bolletje who ordered several vehicles. This in turn led to orders from clothing company C & A, and a very lucrative order from the Dutch army.
Kemperink produced 2 basic models; The long and the tall (Lang und hoch)
Der Kastenwagen – Bestelwagen (a LWB high top)
Die Pritsche – (a lengthened pickup)
The Bestelwagen (unless a special order) was usually supplied without windows. The high top rear cabin consisted of a square section tubular steel frame with steel sides. The roof section is made of fibreglass and to compensate for lack of windows was usually left with a clear centre section to allow for natural lighting of the interior. Early split screen van versions had a flat roof profile with rounded edges. Later Bay window vehicles had bowed roof profile, which gives extra headroom inside. Being based on the pickup, all vehicles had separate cabs. Early vehicles had twin (or single) opening side doors and (usually) a very large rear door fitted with gas struts.
It is possible (but unconfirmed) that several Crew Cab versions of the “Die Pritsche” were produced. Below is an example EFX178T, previously owned by Just Kampers
This lengthened crew cab was once owned by Just Kampers
During the 60’s and 70’s the Kemperink evolved from split screen to Bay window but little else changed to the basic vehicle.
The only major change during that period was the option of a sliding door instead of opening side doors or shutters. This vehicle was designated the `Bestelwagen Special’.
From this basic spec, hundreds of these vehicles would be converted into many other different types of utility vehicles ranging from basic vans to mobile shops. The Dutch army used them as radio rooms, supply vehicles and mobile kitchens. Many were also used for camper conversions.
They take a bit of getting use to when driving. Most were fitted with 1600cc (or less) engines. Visibility is very poor especially if no windows were fitted. Maneuvers and stopping have to be planned! . However driving a Kemp is fun as wherever you go it always attracts attention.
Weak spots?. Front axles and wiring (the wiring loom is chopped and rejoined with 90 cm section). Brakes could do with servo. The chop job bodywork was very poor. Lots of filler added and little body protection reapplied to new bits. Custom built cables required for brakes, clutch, heaters and throttle.
By the end of the 1970’s there was a lot of competition from VW themselves – after 20 years VW finally came up with their own LWB vehicle (the LT) and this proved to be the downfall of Kemperink. Shortly after Volkswagen introduced the T3 Transporter in 1979, production of Kemperinks came to an end.
Altogether about 2000 vehicles of all types were produced.
GOING DUTCH - KEMPERINKS IN THE UK
My information on the history of Kemperinks in the UK is fairly sketchy.
Many have been brought in the UK over the years as personal imports. However I do know that they have also been sold through official VW dealers.
During the early 1970’s Dovercourt of St Johns Wood sold 10 Kemperinks. Sales were stopped when several of them developed bodywork faults due to them being overloaded by owners expecting to carry a lot more than they were originally designed. The section beneath the sliding doors was being bent by heavy pallet loading. I know also of several cases of broken front axles.
Amazingly whilst searching through a heap of old VW/Mann press release video’s I found one that features a Kemperink plumbers van as part of the official VW/Mann commercial range.
Kemperinks biggest claim to fame in the UK was an appearance by at least 2 Kemperinks at the 1974 Earls Court Motor Show.
Bestelwagen Special – Official Kemperink Kamper
I believe this is the one and only official Kemperink camper produced by the firm for the UK market. It was in very good condition when I first saw it Unfortunately I had just bought the heap of rust that became my current van and was unable to take it on.
This Bestelwagen Special – box van was bought by Leatherbarrows removals and was used to transport tea chests for 7 years . It then had three further owners before ending up as a building service, plumbing and repair van with Herman Hock around 1989 until 1994. I am not sure of its history after that.
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Red Fau Veh Samba Member

Joined: September 07, 2012 Posts: 3037 Location: Prescott Az.
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 9:16 am Post subject: |
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There is one here in Arizona, it is for sale in the classifieds for 15000 bucks or I would be all over it. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1543739 _________________ 1971 Deluxe Sunroof Bay 1905 stroker, dual idf40's, 74mm Scat forged crank, engle 110 cam. CB 044 heads, AutoCraft rockers, chromoly push rods
1973 Orange transporter stock type 4 with dual 40 Dellortos and Empi single quiet pack
1969 Adventurewagen blue whale Gene Berg 1776 built by Dave Kawell dual 36 DRLA's, Vintage Speed exhaust, Bosch 019 screamer
1961 Swivel Seat camper, L345 grey
Touch Nicks Thing wrote: |
Swivel Seat panels are for people with no friends  |
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aeromech Samba Member

Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 17615 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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I might could give him $1500 but that's it. _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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richparker Samba Member

Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 7489 Location: Durango, CO
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jhicken Samba Member

Joined: October 24, 2003 Posts: 9479 Location: Fallbrook, CA
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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richparker wrote: |
Why would someone lower one of those rare birds? |
Because it looks badass!
-jeffrey _________________ Der Kleiner Kampfwagens |
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Hoody Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2007 Posts: 1948
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Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Because some people are MORONS! |
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jtauxe  Samba Member

Joined: September 30, 2004 Posts: 5966 Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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I actually think that's a fair price. Sink another #15k into it, and it would be a very rare and amazing vehicle. Well, it is rare and amazing as it is, but with work it could be even more amazing.
These are cool! _________________ John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD
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Red Fau Veh Samba Member

Joined: September 07, 2012 Posts: 3037 Location: Prescott Az.
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Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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I agree, I just don't have a spare 15 large right now. _________________ 1971 Deluxe Sunroof Bay 1905 stroker, dual idf40's, 74mm Scat forged crank, engle 110 cam. CB 044 heads, AutoCraft rockers, chromoly push rods
1973 Orange transporter stock type 4 with dual 40 Dellortos and Empi single quiet pack
1969 Adventurewagen blue whale Gene Berg 1776 built by Dave Kawell dual 36 DRLA's, Vintage Speed exhaust, Bosch 019 screamer
1961 Swivel Seat camper, L345 grey
Touch Nicks Thing wrote: |
Swivel Seat panels are for people with no friends  |
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