Overview
This is my bus, a 1978 Westfalia Campmobile. I bought it in September of 2000, wherein it was my daily driver until July 2004, when I needed cash and sold it. I re-bought it in October 2007. The interim owner took very good care of my bus and it was in better shape when I bought it the second time.
Please check out my other car too, a 2003 Audi TT quattro and you can also follow me on Twitter if you like: @lostorbit
Engine: 2.0L, air-cooled, 4 cylinder, fuel injected Type IV with hydraulic lifters
Transmission: 4 speed manual
Wheels/Tires: 14" stock wheels/hubcaps, Yokohama Y356 C-rated (reinforced sidewall) all season tires
History
I have many original documents with the bus, including owner's manuals, warranty and maintenance book, registration receipts, service records, and more. By my estimation, the bus has over 200,000 miles on it and only three registered owners (including myself).
The bus was manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany on June 6, 1978 and its port of entry to the US was New York. It was first sold on February 13, 1979 at Southwest Volkswagen in Houston, TX. The next earliest record I have indicates it was purchased by a Julio Rivera (presumed deceased) on October 31, 1986 in Decatur, GA, based on registration papers. I have a pile of service records from work done at Northlake Service Center in Tucker, GA dating between 1991 and 1995.
I became the owner on September 23, 2000 when I purchased it from Steve Smith of The Autobahn Society in Braselton, GA. He acquired it originally at an estate sale (presumably Julio's). Paint and bodywork was completed in May 2001. It was repainted with single-stage PPG Concept, matched to the original paint code (L63H Sage Green). The pop top was also reglassed and painted with a white textured paint to match.
In December 2003, new tires were ordered: Yokohama Y356 14", C-rated, reinforced sidewall. New KYB gas shocks were installed on the rear as well.
After I sold it in 2004, the new owner replaced the engine with an air-cooled 2.0L Type IV from an early Vanagon, essentially the same engine. Instead of the Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system as it was originally equipped, he installed a center mounted Weber Progressive carburetor. He also replaced the poptop canvas with newer, stronger material, added a custom trailer hitch to the rear bumper, and made some parcel trays for under the dash up front.
I have since restored the Bosch L-Jet fuel injection system back to the way it was from the factory (with the exception of the EGR filter), including all new German rubber fuel lines, hose clamps, and injectors. I replaced the points with a Pertronix electronic ignition module.
With the exception of a few accessories and upgrades, I've tried to keep it as close to stock and original as I can. It uses the original vacuum advance distributor, as well as hydraulic lifters. I have all of the camping gear with it, including mosquito net for the rear hatch, child's cot for the front cab, table for the rear seat, camping stool with the original yellow plastic bucket, and a drive-away Westfalia tent.
All of the exterior components have been replaced or reconditioned. This includes lenses, mirrors, headlight bezels, reflectors, housings, and more. Nearly all the rubber seals have been replaced too: door, poptop, and windows.
Updates
- 9/23/09 Installed new powder ccoated rims (see page 2 for pics)
- 9/7/09 Installed new injectors (rebuilt Bosch), changed air filter & oil filter (Mahle), changed spark plugs (NGK B6ES), changed fuel filter, changed oil (Valvoline VR1 20W50)
- 8/1/09 Replaced cracked fuel filler elbow
Brands
Onto Page 2, Upgrades and Accessories .
