VIDEO: Motors & Me: Michael Herbert and his 1974 VW camper van

Michael Herbert shows us around his 1974 VW type 2 camper van.

What are you currently driving?

My daily drive is a 04 Ford Ranger. My Sunday drive is my Type 2 VW Camper van for going to vintage shows or charity vintage runs.

Thankfully the season will be getting started for this again shortly.

For the Sunday trips I get permission from my wife Ann to drive the family car — a Ford Galaxy. It’s a lovely drive, very comfortable for the long trips with great views out of it.

Love at first sight, or just a means to get from A to B?

Ranger is just for work. I love the Type 2, it’s great to be able to stop up and make a cup of tea, enjoy the scenery. Also there’s a great Type 2 social scene out there and we have regular meet-ups at weekends and for vintage runs.

What’s under the bonnet?

VW Type 2 is a 1600 petrol

Petrol head or Sunday driver?

Love the Sunday drive, but it’s hard to get the petrol head out of the system.

What was your first car?

My first car was an Opel Kadett C

What else do/did you own?

I had two of the Kadett C, a Toyota Corolla DX rear wheel drive, a VW Jetta, an Opel Vectra, two Nissan Primeras, and a few Ford Galaxys — my wife’s daily drive.

Dream drive in dream location?

Route des Grandes Alpes from lake Geneva to the Mediterranean along the length of the Alps. The 684km route includes some of the highest passes in the Alps. Drive has to be done from June to October as road is closed for rest of the year because of snow. Dream car for journey — E Type Jag with my wife. Nice to do it over a few weeks and take our time in the different towns and villages to soak up the French culture and maybe get a few days’ hiking some of the mountains as well.

Passenger you’d most like on a long journey?

My wife has to be first choice always, “for the sake of my dinner” — only joking! Paul O’Connell or Michael D Higgins. The conversation would be a bit different, but very interesting.

Paul has a great passion for sport and his leadership is legendary in Irish sport. He’s also a fellow Limerick man. Michael D’s interest in Irish heritage and culture is something most of us in the vintage scene would have a lot in common with.

The fact that he was also born in Limerick had nothing to do with him being one of my choices but as they say here in Limerick ‘Abu’.

Passenger you’d least like?

Nervous passengers who continually point out problems that aren’t even there.

What’s on your playlist?

Finbar Furey, Luke Kelly, Irish ballad music, and Bruce Springsteen. Rock music for petrolhead days.