1971 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

Minivan/Van

4 - Cyl.

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

1971 Volkswagen Bus Campmobile Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE This is a 1971 VW Bus, Riviera Camper. This year is the most highly sought after due to it being the last year of the 1600 upright “bug” engine, and the first year of disc brakes. The Riviera pop-top is a nice feature because the roof cranks straight up, giving users much more room up top than a Westfalia. HISTORY: Up until a couple of years ago, this 1971 VW bus resided on the west coast in California and Oregon. I acquired this bus from West Sacremento, CA. I believe it spent many years on a Naval Base in San Diego. The previous owner wanted to restore it as a project and did not have the time. I shipped the bus from California to Massachusetts in February 2010. CONDITION: This bus is probably one of the most solid buses you will find in the northeastern part of the United States for this price. So far I have approximately $8K into this project. I am selling due to family demands, time, and $$$. This has been my dream project and I will be sad to see her go. MECHANICAL: I had it shipped to a guy who has owned a VW garage for 50 years…he is an expert in air-cooled engines and agreed to bring it back to life. The rebuilt engine with less than 5K on it was in the back of the bus. When it arrived, my VW mechanic was in shock, noting that he has hasn’t seen one in such great shape in these parts of the country for a long time. It was virtually rust free! He dropped the tranny and went and re-installed the engine and tranny together so that it would be perfectly straight and aligned. He then went through the entire bus to make sure it was mechanically sound and replaced anything that needed replacing. It has a new exhaust as well. He did a great job. Mechanically, this bus starts right up, purrs, and shifts ultra-smooth. EXTERIOR/BODY: After getting the bus mechanically sound, I had a VW Body expert take on the task of stripping the bus down to bare metal, straighten out all ripples, and repaint. The bus body is 100% factory straight and does not have a single scratch, ding or imperfection. The bus is midnight blue with a white top. It came out absolutely beautiful! The exterior is 100% rust free as if it rolled off the assembly line. In the late fall of 2010, I added 4 brand new tires that have less than 250 miles on them. INTERIOR: I gutted the inside, and you will see some minor surface rust in the cab that can easily can be sanded off. She needs an interior. I have an entire camper interior, including the front seats stored. My plan was to use this old camper as a template to rebuild a new one. There are 2 brown velour front seats from a more recent year VW bay bus (late 70’s) that I use now to drive around with. This is the last phase of this project that I will not be able to finish. What this bus needs to be completed: -new interior including all door panels, kickplates, and headliner. (Some people buy kits, others use wood, etc.) -rims and bumpers could use painting. I was going to paint them white. (I have 4 brand new VW chrome hubcaps) -windshield wipers...motor works fine, it just needs arms and wipers -could use some new turn signal lenses -antenna -needs all rubber seals for all doors, engine hatch, and pop-top -needs 2 rear side windows, I have them but they got sandblasted by mistake, About 50 dollars each. -may need a brake job -needs new camper canvas for poptop. About 350 dollars Email with any questions. Please make me a reasonable offer. I want this bus to go to a great home so she can be finished....she is a GREAT find. Probably the best find in the northeastern part of the country for the $$ I am looking for. I have set the reserve thousands below what I have into it. Good Luck and happy bidding!