1978 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

Westfalia Minivan/Van

4 - Cyl.

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

C'mon, Get Happy! 1978 VW WESTFALIA CAMPMOBILE H ere's a nice and clean VW Westfalia for all you enthusiasts. This one is quite original and in clean condition. Although the outside appearance is similar to earlier years, there are quite a few "modern" enhancements on this '78 example. For starters, the engine has been greatly improved to a fuel-injected 2.0L flat four motor. The inside amenities now include a real electrically powered fridge, not a just an icebox, a propane stove, more closet space, detachable tables, and a full bed up top, rather than a cot. This bus drives great, and has proven to be quite reliable. The interior looks great, plus the motor has been recently rebuilt. The bus is a blast to own, drive, and explore nature with. Engine is smooth and has ample power...better than you'd think! Transmission is excellent, and all the gears operate flawlessly. This Westy is a real crowd-pleaser and it will make you and everyone else in its presence smile. It's ready to go; all it needs is a loving owner who appreciates these well-engineered and cleverly designed VWs...they're the original SUV! Over the decades, many VW Buses have unfortunately fallen prey to neglect, accidents, modifications, or were just plain driven into the ground. Not this example though; it's a survivor. Through the years, this classic still rides proudly in the essential Volkswagen tradition of being simple, precise, and economical. It looks cool, too, in its '70s Avocado Green exterior. It gets plenty of looks and compliments. You don't get tired of this. Dash is simple, yet functional, just like every vintage VW. Speedometer and odometer work, as do all the lights & signals. Even the clock works! Gas gauge is temperamental, registering only when 1/2 - "full." Horn doesn't work; heater and radio don't appear to be hooked up. Wipers, locks, handbrake, and seatbelts all operate fine. ............ Click on the Images for Larger Picture The original interior is amazingly clean and still looks "crisp." Plaid pattern reflects the period of the late '70s well. Remember those bell-bottoms? ............ Click on the Images for Larger Picture Living room of the Westy is very clean. Again, it's in a good original state. As you would expect from over three decades of use, there are some signs of wear. Some of the wood is chipped; headliner has a few tears; wood veneer paneling has some wrinkles and scrapes. Overall, it looks groovy and offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo, whether you're going away for just a day at the beach or for a long camping excursion. All the comforts of home: curtains, dining table, sink, refrigerator, and a stove. All we need is a bottle of wine and some candles. It's quite a cozy setting, indeed. ............ Click on the Images for Larger Picture Though this Westy is packed full of amenities and accessories, I tried to see if they worked, but didn't get too far. On the stove, there may be an issue with the propane tank to deliver gas to the burners. On the sink, I believe it needs a new electric pump. I plugged the fridge into an outside house socket, and it does turn on and make noise. I believe it does keep the compartment cooled, but I haven't used it extensively to know for sure or how long. At the very least, all the components are there to make these items function properly; nothing is missing. I'm sure a little tinkering on the weekend could get these operating again, as they all look to be pretty basic. ............ Click on the Images for Larger Picture ** Many of the rare Campmobile accessories are still present with this Westy. ** Detachable front table with folding leg makes sitting with a cup of coffee and a view quite appealing. ** Even the matching stool with plaid covering is intact. ............ Coat closet with mirror, plus additional storage space was innovative back in the '70s. Fridge sits out of the way and doubles as a shelf when lid is closed. Rear seat transforms in a matter of seconds to a folding bed....and a room with a view! ............ Click on the Images for Larger Picture ............ In addition to the side curtains, you can maintain your privacy and keep out pesky insects with the front privacy drape and rear screen accessories. They definitely do the job and snap in place in only a minute. All dressed up and everywhere to go. Pop-top opens easily, offering walk-around versatility and fresh air when out camping. Canvas material is in good shape, but needs some sewing or stiching along the length of the seam. ............ Read a book or take a nap "upstairs" on the way cool "second" folding bed. This is better than in earlier years, as campers had only a folding metal cot. By 1978, the pop-top had been redesigned to accommodate actual cushions and a second bed. Note the matching plaid motif. ............ Panels show a nice shine, and the body is quite straight, taking age and use into consideration. Since it's a "driver," there are some small flaws here and there, but nothing major to worry about. Body is solid; so is the undercarriage and pan. Click on the Images for Larger Picture ............ Groovy Green Paint was done several years back, so there are some things to note: under front windshield, there are paint bubbles. Along the sides, under the windows, there are a few areas of the the belt trim where the clear coat has started to flake. Rear hatch window needs new rubber seal and molding. Front/rear bumpers show some dents and chips in the paint. ............ Good News: under the front carpets, the floors are in great condition. Quite often, these areas are rotted through, but not on this one. Nothing to hide here. All around, this bus is in great shape. This Westy is a very nice driver. It's very reliable and the motor is great. Previous owner informed me the engine had been rebuilt. Looking at the receipt (see insert) it was done back in 2007 at a cost of over $1800.00. In that time, it appears the bus has only covered a few thousand miles. I recently took it on a two hour trip up north, and it ran flawlessly. At idle, it purrs steady and low. This will be demonstrated in a short YouTube video below. Thanks to the improved 2.0L motor and fuel-injection, the engine starts easily, even when cold, and offers good power - better than you'd expect! It is a pleasure to drive. Gearbox and clutch are fine. Front end is tight. Brakes are firm. Click to the left for Larger Picture Take a Test Drive! Click on YouTube video Above .................... A classic VW Westfalia Bus presents a good value and opportunity in the world of collectible automobiles. This one's not perfect, nor has it been restored to show-quality, but this "survivor" is a great weekend driver that shows a lot of promise and has been cared for. It’s just right for someone who’s always fantasized about owning a vintage VW Bus, or sold theirs years ago and has regretted it ever since. This tangible investment is safer than the stock market and is something that your family & friends can enjoy, again and again. Why not mix business with pleasure? This "Westy" is being sold in a Buy it Now at $11,950 format. It is offered For Sale right now, at a disclosed price, so don't let it get away. Bid to Win! For a full, detailed description of this fun and collectible VW Bus, please send an email with your specific questions, or call. phone: (805) 801-2581 or email: joezcarnut@msn.com To see additional Cars for Sale, click Current Inventory . . You’re welcome to inspect this vehicle in person prior to placing your bid, or have someone inspect it for you. Stated mileage of 97,720 is current odometer reading, but due to its age, this may not be the vehicle's actual mileage. DO NOT BID unless you have the necessary funds readily available to pay for vehicle and you are SERIOUS about owning it. NOTE: seller may remove car early from auction as this vehicle is advertised elsewhere and may be sold before auction’s end Please keep in mind that when purchasing a used vehicle, most cars are not "perfect" and minor imperfections may be visible upon closer inspection. These imperfections may include, but are not limited to, small scratches and dings, rock chips, minor surface rust, small stains or tears in the carpeting, windshield imperfections, and wear on the seats. Every attempt will be made to accurately describe the "overall" condition of each vehicle. Please note that it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to verify the accuracy of any statements that are made regarding the condition of said vehicle. There are no guarantees as to the accuracy of the descriptions made. Please call at 805. 801. 2581 if you have any questions. Thank you. =================================================================================