Thoughts on this van? (take 2) - updated, might have bought one.. :)

Following on from my thread last week that ended with disappointment:
http://www.thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/thoughts-on-this-van.33912/

I found this taiga green late westy berlin at Keift en Klok yesterday:
http://www.kieftenklok.nl/volkswagen.php?fbr=direct_UK_1_438&tag=t2b t2 baywindow westfalia bus camper t2 vw

Looks to be very good condition, K & K have a good reputation i think? I spoke to Maurice and its like 200 quid to get the van shipped over to a port over here. I'd need to go and look at it first but flights are only 160 ish..

Hmmmnn... got potential?! Front seat covers are wrong but these are 160 quid in the original plaid so not a deal breaker.

Anyone imported from Holland? Apparently i could drive it back from the port on the usa plate provided i'm going to a pre-booked MOT appointment. Is that right?

It'd need registering in the uk after i'd got the mot. Anything else i'd need to consider? Would i be whacked for import tax/vat? Given that it's coming from the EU i'd guess not?

Any help/comments/******* takes appreciated.

 

the numberplate surround says to me it "possibly" came from the same guy i had mine off, "west coast autosport" he is an English guy originally from Nottingham, his name is John, you would save a fortune importing yourself, they have probably added a fair few grand on for the privilege..... why not think of doing it yourself it can be here in less than 2 months..... http://www.westcoastautosport.com/docs/frameset.htm he will source a decent van for you and assist with all transport to the docks, his nearest is san fransisco but it's dear to ship from there so he trailered mine to los angeles and it came from there and saved me $400, you only need to organise shipping then and it's easy use kingstown - mark. then get it to your house from the port by shiply or a mate and bob's your dad's dog.

 

looks nice that, only things I can see is a wierd black seem thing round the passenger side rear light lense, a small dink dent just above the engine hatch on the left hand side by the hinge, and (if its original paint) a little bit of dust particles by the breather. Oh and its a left hand drive... hehe, if that doesnt bother you then it looks straight mate, and like you said, K&K have a far better rep than a general classic car garage for this specific model, even if its not what you want and you travel all the way out there and it doesnt feel right, walk away, but this looks far more positive than the previous one. the photos alone speak volumes!! keep us updated!

B

 

thanks guys.

i need to work out how i'm going to get over there to take a look...

 

I'm doing exactly this with my splitty. Also don't forget the BTI application to save import duties and Vat

 

Oops did I press post reply twice

 

I agree with @rickyrooo1 100% if your going for a foreign van,why pay an importer loads when you can do it yourself ,I'm sure Ricky would give you loads of advice

 

I'm definitely no expert on this. But....
For the amount of money you are willing to spend I would have thought you could take your pick from some of the best on the market; fully restored RHD etc.
The one on TLB http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/1978-westy-4x-show-winner.33680/ is an example (LHD) of what you can get if you wait and are patient.

 

Hey @rob.e,

Sorry buddy, im replying on here as its easier to attach an image, just here with the reflections, its really nothing major, as if its original paint then its in bloody good nick so dont worry about it lol, being waaay picky, so what do you think youre going to do?

 

ive got a pretty MINT 79 westy for sale, will be at Volksworld if your in no hurry

 

Looks a lovely van - different shade of paint on front panel around windscreen and front swage line, same on os rear corner near rear light. Seats are T25 not late bay as back/forward adjusters are on the side and should be on the front - doesn't mean a bad van though.

 

It's obviously not original paint (think it says that in the ad). I also considered K & K after looking for a bit and getting too impatient. Obviously you have to factor in the cost of the trip but still, with your budget you'll get a super van here if you wait a little. Or save yourself a few quid and import yourself (there's a few threads on here on how to do it). I'm not sure I'd be that adventurous mind.

 

Thanks guys.

I've looked into the logistics of the trip to Nl to see K&K. Flights are around 160 quid so not too painful. Other option would be to drive as i have a compay car with fuel - its 200+ miles from calais so although it's do-able in a day (home is oxford) its a long trip though - like 700-ish miles overall.

As per the great advice given here i'm also looking at some top quality resto'd uk vans, plus i'm also researching doing my own import. I actually found a great candidate in Florida for £3k, needed some resto but nothing major but unfortunately sold. Some other options i've found in the states look promising... or K&K?! Head is spinnning...

 

The thing with k+k is that will do the absolute bare minimum to a vehicle to move it on. They charge top top money for campers you could pick up over here for 10k.
If you went for this expect to go through the brakes, fuel line's, a good service, gear box oil, all seals, steering etc.
All small things but they soon add up.
Id want all this already done on a camper at this price plus some kind of guarantee as its from a dealer.
But k+k dont offer this kind of thing.
ever, regardless of outlay.
Im not knocking them as I bought a bus unseen from them in 2004 when prices werent sky high and it was bodily perfect but everything was perished and worn, but at least the price reflected it somewhat.
Go and see it by all means but with that kind of cash you could get a very nice already sorted camper over here already.

 

Matt -if you can show me a bus like that one at K&K for sale in the uk at £10k i'll buy it today

 

have you seen this on ebay classifieds?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswage...mpers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item35d017ec6f

front seats look re upholistered as the plaid doesnt line up but alot of extras like tables and big a$$ buddy seat?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Volksw...mpers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item3389fc29ea

another one

 

thanks brucie - yep seen both of those, they look great - the taiga one especially so. realistically i have 13-15 to spend so both are out of my price range unfortunately.

 

Quick question - has anyone used 2040cars.com? Several nice busses on there but hardly any have prices?

e.g. http://www.2040cars.com/Volkswagen/Bus-Vanagon/1977-volkswagen-bus-vanagon-westfalia-471803/

Is that a real site or just something that scrapes content out of ebay?

Edit: Ok, forget that i just did some more searching and it looks like all the stuff on there is ex-ebay so not real vans currently for sale.