1978 VW Westfalia Campmobile

Description for Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon 1978

NOTE: eBay requires a mileage figure but the odometer was recently replaced by a modified European unit with trip odometer. (See photo of the original speedometer, and an explanation of the replacement unit, below.) As the stock US odometer has no hundred-thousands digit, there is no way to know what the reading actually represents.
We've owned this Westy since 2000 and I feel like it's part of the family. As you might understand, a Westy is a way of life and you maintain and rebuild them as though it was your own flesh and blood. We've taken "Yogi" all over the eastern seaboard from the Bay of Fundee to Southernmost Point on Key West and most everywhere inbetween. The previous, original owner was a long-haul trucker. He and his wife took her on cross country road trips for years before I owned her.
I've concentrated on keeping the mechanicals in good working order, repairing rust damage and leaving the paint for the last priority.
So this Camper runs pretty darned well, is fit for service and looks awful!
PHOTOS: I've included current photos. Also I've included pics from the body work done a few years ago, so you can see what was done.
NEW CAMPING TENT: The camping tent is newly replaced.
ADD A ROOM: I have a late style "Add a Room" tent that will go with the Camper.
WESTFALIA UPHOLSTERY: The Westaflia brown plaid upholstery is in pretty good condition with the exception of the rear seat bottom, which is ripped and stained -- but I have an original replacement set in excellent condition waiting to be installed.
CAMPING GEAR: All the camping gear is intact and works well, including the almost impossible to find trash can/middle seat that I found in England! The water pump is not yet connected, as I've been working in that area as a side project.
LARGE SIDE MIRRORS: You'll notice the VW do Brasil side view mirrors in the pictures. The passenger side was fitted with a convex mirror from a Jeep that used the same mirror housings.
TRIP ODOMETER: Just this year I installed a VDO speedometer with trip odometer, purchased from another eBayer who sourced several European units that he reworked to indicate MPH rather than KPH. Apart from swapping the small drive gear, he had the faces silk-screened and it's a beauty!
FRONT AND REAR SWAY BARS were installed with poly bushings to tame cross winds. Front brakes are drilled and slotted. Tires are Bus Depot Hankooks.
ENGINE: The engine was swapped for a Vanagon's and rebuilt by Boston Bob before he passed away. Additional engine work was done by Luke Wagner, a VW master mechanic trained in Germany. It runs beautifully.
ELECTRONIC IGNITION: I installed the Vanagon's electronic ignition system and a higher output alternater last summer with the voltage regulator mod to give something closer to 14VDC under load: Experienced VeeDubbers will appreciate wipers that wipe and headlights that light!
AUTO TRANS: The automatic transmission was rebuilt a few years ago and shifts well and smoothly. Please note there's a loose o-ring internally that sometimes leaks pressure, meaning it doesn't always like to drop from neutral into drive until it's warmed up. After warm up, and most of time when its cold, it drops into drive without hesitation. Consider this an intermittent problem.
SUSPENSION AND STEERING: I replaced all the ball joints and tie rod ends a few thousand miles ago. One of the boots is tearing from dry rot and should be replaced. One CV joint boot is also torn for the same reason but it's 100% mechanically. The steering gear has a new coupling disc but, as with all of them, it's sloppy compared to rack-and-pinion.
BODY WORK: Before I bought Yogi, she was hit on the front passenger side, which means it has a "rebuilt" title from Pennsylvania. The original panel repair was done well. I had the windshield frame completely redone by Jim Burns in Downingtown with VW replacement metal from Bus Depot. Unfortunately, Jim took seriously ill before the project could be completed as you can see in the pictures. I have a replacement panel for the rear engine valence, a NOS engine lid, and a very nice used rear hatch just waiting to be installed.
The jacking points are no good and must be replaced if you want to use them. I have two Bilstein jacks that I used to level her off when camping. There are several places that will need rust repair underneath. They are not critical now but should be tended to soon.
SPARE AND REPLACEMENT PARTS, DOODADS: There are all kinds of nice touches in this beautiful classic Westfalia, too many to mention. I have boxes of spare parts including all door and window gaskets. I've got the balance of the PPG paint and primer, although it's not enough to finish the job. I have a lot of extra parts that go with her, too many to list. But part of the deal is that the boxes of parts go with the Westy at my wife's insistence!
Ask me anything if you have questions!