1978 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

Minivan, Van

4 cylinder

Manual

2282107660

Clear

Gasoline

  Up for auction, is my 1978 VW Bus Champagne Edition II.  The Champagne Edition was a promotion brought on by Volkswagen in 1977 to help with sagging sales numbers.  It went over so well, VW decided to do it again in 1978 with the Champagne Edition II.  That's right.....the Champagne Edition II was only available in 1978.  That's where the rare part comes in.....only one year.....ONE.  The main differences were this exterior color scheme and interior color scheme.  A true piece of Volkswagen history.  Here is your chance to buy one of these rare beauties at a reasonable price.  I bought this a year ago with the full intention of restoring it and keeping it.  Things have changed, so here it is, for sale.  It is a project, but not a tough one!  This is a real example of an untouched, unmolested original.  It does have rust, dents, dings, scratches, and all the exterior things you would expect with a project.  The paint is still the original, factory paint.  Most of it would buff out nice and shine very well.  The interior is pretty amazing for it's age.  Short of the bottoms of the front seats, it is all very nice inside.  It runs and drives VERY well.  That is the part that impressed me the most!  The battery has never went dead and it always starts whether it's 100 degrees outside or 20 degrees.  Parked in my garage all winter, it only dropped an oil spot about the size of a quarter.  The heater fan does work and does blow.  The air eventually gets warm, but by no means works well.  They are not known for having a great heating system.  All the electrical works with the exception of the radio and turn signals, which just recently stopped.  That has to be the signal relay. The hardest part of any Champagne restore would have to be the stripe kit.  They can't be found anywhere easily.  That hard part has been done for you.  I found an artist in Moline, Illinois that could duplicate the stripe to exact factory size and color.  I had him make it and the winner of this auction will receive that stripe kit at no additional charge (although I paid a "small fortune" to get it made, but where else do you get it).  I also have the owners manual, clear title, and very rare Champagne Edition II sales brochure (very hard to find).  My reserve is very low and merely my money back that I paid for the Bus.  I am willing to lose the money for the newer tires and the cost of the stripe kit.  Finished and restored, I have seen these sell for anywhere from $14,000 to $18,000.  Since this one is unrestored, I am WAY below that.  Now to business......SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY PLEASE!!!  I don't have time to mess with people who are just playing.  Ask any and all questions prior to placing a single bid.  Study the pictures closely and watch the posted video several times.  Also read any questions/answers posted at the bottom of the listing.  I want no one to be surprised by anything!  Discuss this purchase with whom you must and have the money secured.  Banks will not loan on something of this age.  Remember, you are bidding to buy, not winning a chance to come look and decide then.  If you have less than 10 feedback, please contact me before bidding, or your bid will be cancelled.  I've been burned too many times!  A deposit of $500 is due within 24 hours of auction end via PayPal with the remainder due in 7 days via cash or bank certified cashiers check.  If you can not meet my payment deadlines, than please don't bid.  All funds must clear before the VW is release to you.  My clear title must also be filled out with your info before it is released.  Shipping is your responsibility, but I will work with the shipper of your choice.  Once paid to full, I can store for however long you need at no additional charge.  It is sold AS-IS, with no warranty expressed or implied.  Here is your chance to pick one of these rare items up at a reasonable price.......a running, driving project.  Busses are everywhere, but a Champagne Edition II is only owned by a very few.On Oct-02-12 at 00:19:19 PDT, seller added the following information: Just one more bit of info........the gas gauge only works when it chooses to.  When it works, it reads it perfect. On Oct-04-12 at 22:30:42 PDT, seller added the following information: Took the Bus on another drive tonight.  I knew it ran and drove good, but I apparently forgot how good!  It'll be VERY hard to find one that replaces how good this one actually is.  Starting to regret listing it!  You can't understand how it runs and drives until you try it.