Few vehicles capture the spirit of freedom and adventure quite like Volkswagen’s iconic split-screen Kombi. Now, one particularly distinctive example – owned by Take That member Howard Donald – is set to go under the hammer in the UK through Iconic Auctioneers.

The 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Sundial Camper combines celebrity ownership with one of the most sought-after configurations of Volkswagen’s beloved first-generation Transporter. Finished in cream and converted by Californian camper specialist Sundial, the van represents a unique chapter in the history of the Kombi’s rise from humble commercial vehicle to cultural icon.

Introduced in 1950, Volkswagen’s Type 2 was originally designed as a practical companion to the Beetle. Yet it was during the 1960s that the split-screen Kombi found a second life as the vehicle of choice for surfers, travellers and the emerging counterculture movement. Its simple air-cooled mechanicals, compact dimensions and adaptability made it an ideal platform for camper conversions.

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Unlike German converter Westfalia, Sundial built its reputation in California by transforming panel vans into campers, cutting windows into their sides and creating distinctive interiors tailored to the era’s growing appetite for road-trip adventures. The rare “double-door” configuration fitted to this example – featuring cargo doors on both sides of the vehicle – remains especially desirable among enthusiasts.

This particular Kombi was discovered in Colorado in 2007 before being imported to the UK, where it underwent extensive restoration and mechanical upgrades. Improvements included front disc brakes, a dual-circuit braking system, revised suspension and a larger 2.0-litre twin-carburettor engine.

Inside, the camper retains its period-correct Sundial character, complete with Sea Green upholstery, original Sundial badging, a fold-out bed, fridge, sink and roof tent. Modern touches such as a leisure battery and 240-volt hook-up add usability without compromising its vintage appeal.

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Donald, best known as a founding member of Take That, has owned and enjoyed the camper in recent years and even signed the interior before consigning it for sale.

For collectors, it’s a chance to acquire not only a highly desirable split-screen camper, but one with a celebrity connection and a story that stretches from 1960s California to modern-day pop stardom.