I have a panel van conversion. And like most people have said on here! I didn't even know it was a panel van conversion until about 18 months into the resto! I think everybody would agree that theoretically a kombi has gotta be preferable to panel van conversion if both are identical but that ain't never gonna happen and therefore in my opinion a panelvan conversion is fine so as already mentions there will be a lot of other things that will sway you like RHD or lowered or louvred windows or any other number of things! Very few people prefer panelvan windows to kombi ones for reasons mentioned but as long as you are aware of the pitfalls then I don't think at the end of the day it makes a lot of difference other than personal choice! Just as an aside once I took my windows out I had to rebuild every orifice! Including the windscreen. Once finished though I will seal every window so hopefully it won't happen again! In summation if you see a van you like and it happens to be a panel van then that shouldn't stop you buying it! IMHO.