The specialist: Type 2 Detectives

By Aaron McKay

| 14 Jul 2026

Classic & Sports Car – The specialist: Type 2 Detectives

“It’s like Paul’s overgrown hobby. This is his life, and we’re just trying to share the vibe,” explains James Slessor, who has taken charge of the bustling events calendar at Type 2 Detectives, as activity at the air-cooled Volkswagen specialist increases well beyond the workshop.

First founded as Type 3 Detectives in 1992 by enthusiast turned parts-hunter and restorer Paul Medhurst, the company has expanded to the more lucrative Beetles and Type 2 vans – hence the rebrand in 2005.

It occupies a small industrial estate in the Cambridgeshire village of Burwell, with a courtyard perfect for hosting car events – and not just for Volkswagens.

Visitors to Type 2 Detectives in Cambridgeshire can enjoy the chic café while their classic Volkswagen is repaired in the adjacent workshop

“We had a big meeting yesterday,” continues James, “with 60 cars and, of course, everyone was desperate to peer in.”

And you can, from the stylish café, see the arc of five inspection ramps – populated today by four buses, plus a rare pick-up.

That is if you haven’t already been distracted by the beautiful Karmann Ghia on display through Crittall windows, or the other industrial-chic touches that give a backdrop to those sipping coffee.

The café makes the perfect launch pad for T2D’s maintenance days, starting owners off with breakfast before learning the basics of running, diagnosing and fixing their classic Volkswagens.

Type 2 Detectives works on various air-cooled classic cars, from Karmann Ghias and Porsches to modified VW buses

“It’s pretty informal, and as hands-on as you wish,” says James. “We host it every other month, with vehicles in the air – usually a van, Beetle and Type 3 – so everyone can see what their cars look like underneath. We advise a list of spares to keep in the glovebox, too.”

Today, it’s all business, but there is a friendly tone among the mechanics, many of whom have been here for decades.

“Once people are in they seem to stick with it, and it helps the customer experience because they can build a rapport,” says James.

A new addition is George Hopper, a Heritage Vehicle Technician from the Heritage Skills Academy apprenticeship course at Bicester Motion, who has returned after work experience at T2D last year.

Five lifts occupy the Type 2 Detectives workshop, where employees often stay for years

“I’ve always been into VWs and have been building a Beetle since I was 14,” he says, adding with a smile: “It’s a ’66, so a borderline nice one!”

We leave George to packing up a new beam assembly for a Type 2, featuring the company’s latest steering damper, developed with Bilstein.

“We use its designs,” explains James, “then Paul has honed them, including suspension for different ride heights. It’s just a response to there being nothing else on the market.

“We do still supply used parts: if you’re really struggling with something, Paul will often find it. That’s where the ‘detective’ bit comes in.”

Heritage Vehicle Technician George Hopper packages a hub and steering assembly

Across the courtyard is the bodyshop, where a beach buggy that had once been a company showpiece is being adapted for a new customer.

“They wanted it with a proper auto ’box, not the semi-automatic you could get for the Beetle,” says James. “So we’re reworking the frame to fit a Type 3 drivetrain.”

In the adjoining storage area, a flat-six-powered Porsche 914 and Paul’s own, patinated ‘91-poor’ with a 2.4-litre Type 4 unit showcase a knack for restomodding – both cars feature Elephant Racing suspension and various other goodies: “We do Baja Bugs and 914s mostly.

“Paul can source the car, the engine and lead the restoration. We’re even working on one being converted to electric power.”

A cutaway engine from Germany on display at Type 2 Detectives

There are plans for an expanded café area, too: “We have installed a mezzanine level that will eventually be decorated in a similar style to downstairs, and the big roller-door will open up in the summer to give a view of the front courtyard, which we will be turning into a parking area for cars on show. That’s this summer.”

The energy behind all of this work is infectious, particularly because Type 2 Detectives has extended the VW vibe to enthusiasts of all types.

Maybe it will even convert a few.

Images: John Bradshaw