Planning to go and take a look at this puppy at the weekend: http://www.4starclassics.com/VW-Westfalia-Camper-For-Sale/ Any thoughts or observations? What questions should i ask the guy - looks pretty comprehensive write up? Anything missing from the blurb? Anything specific on the 2.0 / berlin that i need to check is ok that might not be on the generic buying guides? TIA. Rob
Looks nice. There's a nicer one (imho) on here for sale for the same money though. Check for rust, rust and rust. It says there is some on the slider and rear arch. If that's come through after "a full restoration" a whole lot more may have reappeared too. This is the nicer one: http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/1978-westy-4x-show-winner.33680/
Front drivers seat base looks shot, rear has had new side panels behind the units that don't match. Pity they didn't spend much time on the inside of the poptop..... Unsure if you wanted a critique - don't like slating other peoples vans - the general prices for that garage tend to be hight ish.
Agree, front driver seat seems a bit saggy for 36k, but looking at the prices of the other cars eg the mk1 for 26k!!!!!!!! seems like they're in cars for as much as they can get ( like any garage) maybe getting one off of an enthusiast of just campers may be your best bet? Like @Moons said pop top would have been good to see but then thats what you can do when you go and see it, but I would with out doubt take an expert with you, especially for that money! I did when I got mine and I was soo glad I did. It also depends on what you want out of the bus you buy, If you want a completely original bus that you don't intend on changing and modifying and changing much then its the bus for you, the bus @Baysearcher linked up is very nice! one of the nicest Ive seen, but its someone else's creation, their colour scheme, their choice of wheels etc. Personally I would want to put my own stamp on something like that other wise it wouldn't feel like my bus until I did so, regardless of how much it cost. Which would result in spending more dollar. I cant say which of the two Id go for as they are very different beasts, as long as the garage one stacks up and is everything it claims to be then you may be able to hack them down a bit if you waft crisp notes under their noses... all Id say is follow your gut, if it doesn't feel right or if you have niggling concerns about it, walk away. It may be tough to do so no matter how much you try to convince yourself 'it's ok' or 'I can sort that out' if there's too many niggles simply walk. Good luck and let us know how the viewing goes
yep, i'm just going for a gander initially, but if i think it's a strong contender then yes getting a expert opinion would be a good idea.
That's very nice looking . Its top dollar but looks to be a very nice van. I'd see what's caused the blistering as if its a dry state van it wouldn't have rusted, I would say its had some pole damage. Every van I've had from the US has had a scrape down the offside, from the rear of the slider to the rear arch. Blistering usually indicates poor filler work and doesn't have to be associated with rust. Personally it looks to be in superb condition. I've been around this place and they only sell quality cars in exceptional used condition. They're not all concourse, a lot of their cars are though and those which aren't are never far off. This won't be a basket case. You're probably paying upper 'trade' price so a private sale would be around the £12k to £15k mark. Good luck!
yep, that one's on my radar too - but as @brucieboy says it has someone elses's "stamp" on it.. personally i prefer the oem plaid over the re-trim that one has had, however it does have the laurie pettit engine.. hmmm :-/
to much for that money i would expect it to be perfect and original the seat shot the dash has marks its had speakers cut into it in odd places The engine bay has not been painted and looks like rot on the lefthand battery tray Engines a bit of a mess and has bits missing the paint looks flat for such professional photos
Agree with @Baysearcher . Also it's the Campmobile so doesn't have the hob as does the Deluxe version. I'd be a bit concerned about the paint bubbling. Ours is a US Westy, it looks great at first glance but I know there is some very clever filling work along the front clip, around the cab steps and the rear arches. Not much, but it's there & they seem to prefer "Bondo" to letting in new metal panels over there. There is a wheel on the front, that like ours, may hide more filler. I know ours had a bump coz. I watched the guy run it into the back of a pick-up when he was taking it for it's smog test. There is no daft trim panel behind the rear cupboard so that's been out & not put back properly at some stage. Pull out the R&R bed & check the cushions meet up. That gap looks wrong, & there is no OG strengthening bar across the rear base. No major issue but again it shows it's been fiddled with. It is just a cool box! Which without availability of ice etc is neither use nor ornament. The Deluxe has a fridge. Check the hook-up electrics have been done. Not a deal breaker but all these things add up. As it's a '78 it may have the 1 year only GE engine. That's a good lump but exhaust/HX bits are expensive if that one is shot as are the FI bits & bobs. At the end of the day it's your gut feeling that counts & what you want the bus for. Good advice from @Joker too! Good luck & let us know
Looking at other cars there, it looks like theres a fair bit of photoshop being done on the photos, reflections in the paint etc, but nothing will be like seeing it in the metal. Leisure Battery would have been nice too but if its that original then it wouldn't have one any way.
Probably not, but it would more than likely have had side marker lights in the lower rear quarters and reflectors on the front doors. These have been removed and filled.
Looking again I'd say the rear near side arch is full of filler as the seam between the arch and the rear corner is pretty much gone at the bottom. If you zoom in you can see bubbles that look like rust rather than blown filler. Are they the right engine hatch hinges?
It still looks like a nice van, I'm just pointing out bits I can see. Hope it doesn't come across as I'm slating it as I'd want to actually see it before doing that.
The hinges look right chap. I don't want to give the impression either that I'm pulling the bus apart as it is worth whatever someone pays. It's just if you're expecting a Westy & there is stuff missing, then it may give you, @rob.e ,some negotiating power. I think the fly screens are not there either. Look at Milly, @Chrisradioman 's bus for an idea of what is OG spec. if a Westy is what you want. His is a Campmobile Deluxe in US speak. Also this one is pretty much all there & is a good reference point for how the trim goes together. Just ask your self if a fridge and hob are important? & to be fair you could always retro fit but that's more $ again. It can be good fun hunting down those elusive parts & that looks a nice bus, that just needs a bit of attention to detail
