1982 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

Westfalia Campmobile (Pop Top)

1.6 Liter Diesel

4 speed manual

WV2ZG0254CH079241

Clear

Diesel

Rare 1982 VW Vanagon Westfalia Diesel The engine was rebuilt 38,300 miles ago (total mileage is likely about 175,000 miles), with a new clutch, odometer/speedometer and radiator installed at the same time. The rebuild was completely unnecessary, just wrongly diagnosed...it was the radiator, not the engine that needed service! (No Thanks to John’s Car Corner, Westminster, VT) Everything, including electrical, gas stove, sink, and refrigerator were all working when he was parked a few years ago, and they still look great, but probably need some attention. Blue was started every year, for his annual trip around the block, and as recently as a year ago, when I drove around the block and parked in the driveway. I haven’t tried to start him since. Being a diesel engine, makes starting a lot easier than gasoline engines. I can’t say to what degree the engine needs work, but likely the battery probably needs to be replaced. I haven’t had the time, health or money to do the restoration as I had planned, now I have to move and can’t bring Blue with me. The original upholstery is in very good condition, including both beds and every privacy curtain. All windows work. Screens for them are included. The front passenger seats swivel, and both original tables are intact. The bumpers are in really decent condition, the tires have lots of tread, suspension is fine, chassis has no rust, and the drive train/transmission were all working when he was parked. Rust has set in to some of the typical areas of the Westy body, including the left rear wheel well, the two front wheel wells, below the utility inlets on the driver side, and below the front grill. All of these areas can be restored, without too much effort, by any body shop or competent body worker. The side slider door opens and closes, but takes some effort, because it swelled when I used insulation foam inside it. It too can be restored without much labor. The edges of the tent were left slightly outside of the cap last summer when my friend used it, and the fabric rotted. I had just replaced it a few years back with the triple window/screen arrangement, which was fabulous (I was able to do the replacement with a friend of mine in about 3-4 hours with simply a staple gun, pliers and screwdriver.). It now has to be replaced. The gasket on the moon/sun lid is leaking and needs replacing. I installed roof rack fittings on the cap, which can be seen in the photos, probably the only non-original modification I made. These were for Yakima racks, which worked perfectly. This vehicle has never been crashed, and was treated with the best of care and regular maintenance until parked. I have had “Blue” since 1998, and in my name since 2000. He was my surfing, climbing, skiing, bicycling, camping, ecological base camp, adventure mobile until the exhaust manifold cracked and I couldn’t readily find a replacement, about 4 years ago. Until then, we traveled all over North America proudly and dependably.This is a perfect fixer-upper for somebody who would really love a solid Westy. I am having a difficult time parting with Blue, but hope whoever purchases him chooses to restore him. I am sad to let him go, since he has been a “True Blue” pal to me and all who rode, sheltered, cooked, socialized and slept in him throughout the years, but it's time.