1971 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

Minivan/Van

4 - Cyl.

Manual

04W791647

Gasoline

You are looking at Gertrude, my 1971 VW Camper. I am a VW enthusiast who always wanted a camper. I found this one in Colorado, Fort Collins to be exact and towed it to my mechanics shop. My mechanic who rebuilt this engine along with many other things has over 40 years experience with air-cooled VWs and in my humble opinion he is the best. He rebuilt the 1600 dual port engine with bigger pistons and a larger cam. This helps the vehicle up the hills in Colorado without down shifting and moves the bus along nicely. This is the 3rd motor he has rebuilt for me and he does it right! I had the interior dine professionally with automotive grade vinyl. I replaced the pop up canvas with a high quality tan colored one and it came out very nice. I also did the floor which is a bamboo colored simulated wood vinyl. This looks good and is easy to keep clean - I'm a bit fussy with all my vehicles. Gertrude is sitting on 4 new Wrangler truck tires with traditional VW hubcaps. The paint was completed by a independent painter and is a base/clear coat. The van was originally all red and I chose to complete the top portion in white. I removed the complete camper top and had both sections also painted. The roof was painted white underneath the topper. I also had the inside door jams and doors painted. The wood headliner is mostly original except for the tailgate portion and the sliding door. I removed all of the wood and painted it an off white color and then sealed it. I found replacement wood at a specialty wood shop and used the old wore out pieces as a template. The sliding door was replaced as the original one was too rusty to justify keeping. I had rust repair and metal replacement by a young guy who restores hot rods and he did a wonderful job. I have some pictures of before and after. There are a number of dings on the large lower driver's side mid panel that my painter missed. I tried to take a picture but you have to be in a certain light to see them. The bumpers were also painted and are original. The back is straight, the front is a bit twisted but it does not take away from the vehicle's looks. The front spare will need to be replaced as it is old and has some checking. The hub cap on the front is new old stock from an old American car. Many people just put a cover over the spare I was going to buy a VW logo for the center of the hub cap- just to be different. While the motor was rebuilt the clutch was replaced and my mechanic rebuilt the carb and did other things I'm sure but I don't remember everything. I have most of the records from my ownership but missing some as I pay cash at times for more minor repairs. The brakes are great and this model year had the front powered disc brakes which was a great improvement over the previous years drum brake set-up. The rear has drum brakes. This was the last year of the original type upright motor which in my opinion was VWs best air-cooled design.. The guy I bought it from installed a gas heater but sold it before I purchased the van. There is a piece of metal over the wheel well where some folks keep their spare tire in the back. I have the sink and it is in fair condition. I removed it as it gives you much more useful space. It will go with the Bus as will the back storage shelf which is in good shape. I removed it as I always hit my head on it and it too wasn't that functional for my use. The undercarriage is fairly clean with some slight surface rust. The fan is hooked up to a switch and I was going to remove it but will let her new owner decide its fate. It works well and I have used it in the summer. I replaced the screen in both side windows that open and close with a winding handle. Gertrude had a brand new front windshield and seal installed. I also added new wipers. I get compliments all the time on Gertrude but she is not a show car. She is a very, very nice driver that is functional and clean. The reason I'm selling her is I lost my storage space at my good friends house - her dad took up the space with a brand new Camaro. I also have a VW Thing and only keeping that over the Bus as I can get my old motorcycle behind the Thing. The curtains you see in the van were done in the wrong color. I am having brand new curtains made in a red and white small plaid design that should look great. I did not have curtains made for the rear window as I like the visibility. There should be enough material made to have one made if you choose. I'm not sure the curtains will be completed before the bus sells but if not I will mail them to you. I have the original rear bug screen that is brown and in good shape and the child's cot that is ripped but has a spare piece of canvas material with it for repair. I reserve the right to end the auction early if I sell the vehicle locally. Just so you know, if you don't want attention and questions asked about this bus do not buy it. It's rare that someone does not ask me a question or pays Gertrude a compliment. I'm sure I forgot some things but this is getting toooo long winded. Good luck! On Dec-07-10 at 14:24:28 PST, seller added the following information: I took the van out today and had a look around to see what I have forgotten. The inside of the sliding door is white instead of red as I forgot to have my painter complete that. The new owner could have an auto paint shop mix up a couple of spray cans or take it to a paint shop if they wanted. The top of the pop top is missing a piece of plastic trim that is stapled over the pop top. There are new sun visors and door panels in the front. I have a red flannel sheet set I bought for camping. It's a bit larger then the seat and rear cushion but should work fine.