1975 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

Minivan/Van

4 - Cyl.

Manual

Gasoline

1975 Volkswagen Campmobile. We have owned this 1975 Campmobile for the last two years, and although we enjoy taking her camping, we need something bigger to fit my wife and I and all three kids. Plus, since she's almost 40 years old we're a bit nervous about taking her too far from home. If we didn't have the kids (and the mortgage) I'd keep her and get her restored to better than new condition. But there's little time for that these days in our house. Maybe your situation is different. We bought the bus who, I'm told, bought it from the original owner. She runs, but a bit rough and needs a tune up. In addition, there is some type of electrical issue at work; even with the bus off and the key out the battery light remains illuminated on the dash. To keep from draining the battery, I disconnect it after use. Shortly after we bought her, I had a new clutch installed as it was difficult to get her into gear. Now she shifts fine. The previous owner swapped out the original 1,800 cc engine for a newer 2,000 cc unit. I have the original engine in storage and the new owner is welcome to have it along with the bus. There is definitely some rust in the body, some of which shows in the photos. At the same time as the clutch replacement, I had a local shop put in a new windshield and weld in a new steel panel (the black strip in the photos) just below the windshield as it was the worst rust and was causing a leak down the front of the inside of the dash. The stove and sink both work. The upholstery in the back appears to be correct plaid, but I can't say whether it is original. The front seats should be rebuilt. The canvas on the pop-top has some small holes and would be worth replacing, but is servicable as is if desired. All in all, she could use a bit of love but, if properly treated, will put a smile on your face every time you drive her. Terms: Buyer must arrange for shipping - I will not ship. A deposit of $500 is due via paypal within 48 hours of the auction end. I am also listing the bus locally, and reserve the right to end the auction early if it sells through that process. Any questions, please ask. Please do not bid unless you plan to follow through with the purchase. Thank you.On Apr-27-12 at 18:01:33 PDT, seller added the following information: Edited 4/27/12 New pictures added today. A few questions have been asked by potential bidders. Let me try to answer them here so that all have the benefit of the dialog. The bus has not always been the current color, although it was this color when we bought it two years ago. I believe it was originally white. I have not attempted to locate any and all areas of rust on the body. However, I have looked at the battery tray and can confirm that it is rusted through. I see no other spots on the body where there appears to be such significant rust - although there are a few spots that are bubbling. Also, looking down the sides of the bus, there is some waviness that I suspect may be the work of prior patch repair. That said, I have not attempted to scrape paint, walk around with magnets, or do anything else to locate all the various areas of rust. When we bought the bus, the area below the windshield was entirely rusted through. The previous owner had used something that looks like plumber's goop or some other silicone sealant to stop rain from getting in. We had a body shop rip out all the metal at the bottom of the windshield and weld in a new piece in its place. The engine (which I will try to also get a photo of - it has been raining almost nonstop for a week), is not the original. I understand that it is a 2,000 cc engine, as opposed to the original 1,800 cc unit (which will come with the bus if desired). I confess that I am not particuarly mechanical and so cannot answer some of the questions that have been posed about the engine. I can say that when I had the clutch replaced, the shop went through the engine a bit as well. They told me they wanted to do a valve adjustment as it was probably needed - and then called back to say that the engine had hydraulic lifters installed and so no valve job was required. Hopefully that means something to the VW gurus out there. I believe that whatever links the exhaust system and the heater has been disconnected. I know that the heater doesn't seem to work - although I've been told that they didn't really work when the bus was new. As noted above, I will try to take and post a photo of the engine tomorrow. If I can figure out how to do it, I will even try to link a video of the engine running. Thanks to all for your interest.On Apr-29-12 at 09:04:49 PDT, seller added the following information:For video of bus running (and pic of engine) go to: http://youtu.be/mPjq8oT51No