'86 VW T25 Doka German Firebus

First job on the Doka was obviously to re-fit the blue light. That’s done but pouring rain virtually non-stop for the past few days has stopped me having a proper poke around it and getting a list together of all the other jobs it needs doing.

When I first saw pictures my mate took In the barn where it’s been laid up for a couple of years I thought it was vaguely familiar.
There is a plaque on the dashboard from Vanfest 2011, but I didn’t go that year so it can’t have been there I saw it.

Last night while looking through some old pics I’d taken at shows looking for Doka related ideas I came across 2 pictures I’d taken at Vanfest in 2008. These are the pics I took:






Yes, the very same van I ended up owning 12 years later! Doesn’t seem to have changed too much.




All the dash electrics (including the siren and PA) seem to work ok, except the temperature gauge. Knowing the T25’s reputation for getting a bit hot, that’s something I’d like to put right soon.

Otherwise there is hopefully not too much. Underneath is very solid and mechanically it’s all good as far as I can tell so far. Mileage is low (71k kilometres, not miles) and I think that’s genuine. I’ll give it a quick oil change this week just for peace of mind.

T25’s have a reputation for rust, but other than a few localised scabby bits, this one seems quite clean and tidy (famous last words!).

The Doka continues to impress.

Last week it was earning it’s keep when I helped a mate move house



The truck is performing well so far. Only thing I’ve had to do so far was replace the alternator drive belt. Otherwise it starts on the button and drives really well – even the heater works!


Today the last owner sent on a folder full of documents for the Doka which I didn’t get when I bought it.
Everything is in there from the German log book, a receipt from the Gifhorn Feuer Wehr Kommander when the truck was de-commissioned in 2008 and sold to Bus Brothers in Clitheroe, loads of service history and old MOT’s and a CD full of photos of the bus when it was first imported.


There was also a copy of VW Camper & Bus Magazine with this feature in it…….

Let there be light.......





Got the spotlight, the PA system and the sirens working - just the blue light to fix.

I have no experience of these at all, but even the most expensive one doesn’t seem like a lot of money.

My point of view would be: It’s your steering. Buy the best engineered option. Preferably if it is also the one that offers the best long term forecast for being able to obtain spares.

There are loads in the UK - I've had three German Fire brigade VW Transporter Vans and one old German ambulance.

They do seem to keep them in service for a while. My first one was a 1979 Bay window which was in service from new until 2008. When it was decommissioned it was sold literally as it had been in service - still with all the kit on board - a generator, fire axes, first aid kit, working blue lights and sirens etc. The only thing de-commissioned was the radio, which had been removed.

They seem to run their vehicles for longer, and look after them better, than we in the UK treat our emergency service vehicles. Ours are usually totally de-kitted when sold off.

An altogether different beast, but my Taunus Transit had only,done 13k km in its life when I bought it years ago.

And asset vs liability mentality makes a great difference in what we end up with.

Looking at the final fit pictures, I wouldn’t be happy with the visual look of the most expensive one. I can understand why they’ve packaged it that way, but the cover over the bottom just looks awful.

On the basis of what’s in front of me, I’d go for the middle one, with the speed related controller, and I’d get them to paint the visible bit satin black (or do it myself afterwards).

Option 2 ...

Cheers for letting me know -just found them on eBay.



Got to get one really, haven't I??!!