TheSamba.com :: View topic - Value of Automatic '74 Weekender poptop Westy?

Tue May 23, 2006 8:01 am

Hi Gang,

I don't know a lot about the different models of Baywindow Westys. I used to part-own a 73 Westy and have worked on a lot of vanagons or split window Westfalias. I would like a little help, please! ;)

I picked up a '74 'Weekender' Pop-top Westfalia yesterday. It has the following:
-Sink
-Fridge
-Cabinets
-Plaid (blue/green) Z-bed
-Walk-thru seating, and AUTOMATIC transmission. It also has the original carpet, curtains, and long dome light under the poptop opening.

My camera has dead batteries, so I was not able to take pics.. I can post some later today.

The bus is in pretty "rough" shape, needs battery tray, has some dents, needs lenses, etc.
Question:I was wondering how "rare" an Automatic Westy is...? I have only seen a few Auto baywindow buses, but none were Westys....

Thanks in advance!
-Bobby

Tue May 23, 2006 8:10 am

Not as many Auto's as manual's but they are out there.

My guess and I say guess is 2 Auto's for every 10 manaul's. My guess comes from how many I see around today

Tue May 23, 2006 8:13 am

Everyone seems to think automatic Buses are rare...they're not. Look at any ebay ad for an automatic Bus...guarantee the word RARE is there in caps in the title of the auction. I've had more automatics than standards and a friend of mine owns a nice '79 automatic Westy Deluxe. I parted out a '74 Westy Deluxe automatic a couple years ago. I guess there are fewer automatics than standards but to call them rare is a stretch. Good luck with the Bus!!

Tue May 23, 2006 8:34 am

I also don't know why you are calling it a "weekender." It sounds like a standard poptop westy. The weekender technically didn't come into existence until the Eurovan. The weekender is always a multivan (meaning rear zbed and two rear-facing jumpseats without the full camper equipments) with a poptop. However, many people use "Weekender" to mean a bus configured similar to an EV Weekender. Since it's slang, I've heard it used for both poptop and hardtops, and I would guess usually the latter because there are few poptops without the sink, frig/icebox, or stove and all are custom affairs.

In any event, I wouldn't call it a weekender and you may send the wrong message as a poptop westy is typically more valuable than a "weekender."

Tue May 23, 2006 8:44 am

Go here for pics of 74 and 75 Westfalia models.
http://john-perry.com/cgi-bin/vwgallery.cgi?view=74-75_interior&page=1

What color is your camper? M-code? Since you have blue/green upholstery, you probably have yellow-green or white paint. You have a double bed in the upper bunk, right? (You should). Is your table hinged to the side wall?

If you have the fridge/stove cabinet and the propane tank, then you have a deluxe Westy. I'm pretty sure that the orange Westfalias had an icebox instead of the fridge, and no stove.

The side-mounted bench paired with the swing-arm table (in one of the pics) was not standard in the American market, but was special order, and perhaps found in Canadian models.

Value depends on condition of the body, interior, and engine, so there is little we can tell you at this point.

Tue May 23, 2006 10:19 am

http://john-perry.com/cgi-bin/vwgallery.cgi?view=74-75_interior&photo=1975intr.jpg

I've always wondered about the side jumpseat. How the heck does the bed open? Is it removeable?

Tue May 23, 2006 10:55 am

Here is a useful site to go to for looking at the value of buses

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/BuyingGuide.html

Tue May 23, 2006 11:16 am

http://john-perry.com/cgi-bin/vwgallery.cgi?view=74-75_interior&photo=1975intr.jpg

Is that set up stock on the 75 with the bench against the drivers side wall?

interesting. I don't recall seeing that before.

It's neat to see the evolution of the Westy's.

Tue May 23, 2006 11:21 am

nemobuscaptain wrote: http://john-perry.com/cgi-bin/vwgallery.cgi?view=74-75_interior&photo=1975intr.jpg

I've always wondered about the side jumpseat. How the heck does the bed open? Is it removeable?

Ray & jereandjess~ That's the optional detail I was discussing. It's not standard on American models, if you look at the owner's manual. I think if you remove the seat cushion on the side seat the bed will fit on top of the box.

Tue May 23, 2006 3:13 pm

I've been very busy today dealing with the DSL provider, phone company, etc... Stuck at work using the internet to type this. Will have pics by tonight.

It has no stove, and no stampings indicating a stove on the tag.
It does have the sink/cabinet combo and a seperate fridge/cabinet combo. Full size bed in the pop-top.

Actually, this is the SAME interior layout as mine... Only difference is mine has the blue/green combo: http://john-perry.com/cgi-bin/vwgallery.cgi?view=74-75_interior&photo=Kits74_3.jpg
The original color was White on mine.

There are at least 3 different buses shown on the link for '74-75 so its really hard to see what exactly it should have....2 different orange bus interiors and at least 1 blue/green interior.

The main reasons I'm asking are...
-There is no title. I don't have time/energy to go through the title hassle. The PO doesn't have any paperwork for the vehicle either and he doesn't want to help.

-My wife wants it gone ASAP so its either getting sold complete or I'm parting it out.

Thanks again,
-Bobby

Tue May 23, 2006 3:35 pm

VWBobby wrote: It has no stove, and no stampings indicating a stove on the tag.
It does have the sink/cabinet combo and a seperate fridge/cabinet combo. Full size bed in the pop-top.

Actually, this is the SAME interior layout as mine... Only difference is mine has the blue/green combo: http://john-perry.com/cgi-bin/vwgallery.cgi?view=74-75_interior&photo=Kits74_3.jpg
The original color was White on mine.

I think in the case of 74 and 75 Westfalias 'weekender' means no stove and fridge. I know the orange models were that layout. It seems that white models were also not fully equipped. The orange bus in the link you quoted is the standard layout, but the yellow green buses had a few extra features.

Did you see the photos on the other 3 pages of the link? The only thing I find odd is the side mounted bench with the swing arm table. There is some electrical stuff that is also different. The Westys I know from those years all have the table hinged to the side wall. Some with stoves, some without. Some with iceboxes instead of fridges.

This is the owner's manual for 74 and 75 Westfalias:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/aug73westy.php
On page 26 there is a list of camping equipment. Items with an asterisk came only in deluxe campers.

Sorry you can't put the bus back on the road. Hope you can find someone who will.

Tue May 23, 2006 3:45 pm

Birdibus wrote: I think in the case of 74 and 75 Westfalias 'weekender' means no stove and fridge. I know the orange models were that layout.

And you will notice in that link that there is no mention of weekender.
The terminology is Campmobile or Deluxe Campmobile.

Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:18 am

I've come to the forum recently and come across this discussion. I have a 1974 Westy Deluxe campmobile ex-Canadian. I reside in New Zealand. This is Brilliant Orange with an interior layout the same as the last posted image link.

What I am after is specifications/manual for the Dometic 45 CEW fridge which is installed. Can anyone help here?

Regards,
Craig

Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:39 am

I have the side mounted bench and the table with the arm that swings out. The cushion on top of the bench just sits on it. You just pull it off to put the bed down. The pain in putting the bed down actually lies in the swinging table. You have to get the table JUST in the right place to have room to get the bed to fold out. I can't confirm if this is a canadian option or not, because my export code is TR. Which apparently stands for transit sales. I have no idea what transit sales is supposed to mean.

Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:24 am

VDubTech wrote: Everyone seems to think automatic Buses are rare...they're not. Look at any ebay ad for an automatic Bus...guarantee the word RARE is there in caps in the title of the auction. I've had more automatics than standards and a friend of mine owns a nice '79 automatic Westy Deluxe. I parted out a '74 Westy Deluxe automatic a couple years ago. I guess there are fewer automatics than standards but to call them rare is a stretch. Good luck with the Bus!!

BIGTSV wrote: Not as many Auto's as manual's but they are out there.

My guess and I say guess is 2 Auto's for every 10 manaul's. My guess comes from how many I see around today

That might be true in North America, but in Great Britain and probably also Europe, I estimate there are fewer than ten automatics for every thousand manuals (probably closer to 1 in 1000), which should not be surprising, considering that most of the 1972~79 VW Type 2s here, have 1584 cm², VW Type 1 style engines.

So far, during the past 33½ years, I have yet to see a 1972~79 VW 17/18/2000 Type 2 autimatic, other than in magazines! :roll:

Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:29 am

NASkeet wrote: BIGTSV wrote: Not as many Auto's as manual's but they are out there.

My guess and I say guess is 2 Auto's for every 10 manaul's. My guess comes from how many I see around today

That might be true in North America, but in Great Britain and probably also Europe, I estimate there are fewer than ten automatics (probably closer to 1 in 1000) for every thousand manuals, which should not be surprising, considering that most of the 1972~79 VW Type 2s here, have 1584 cm², VW Type 1 style engines.

took you over 2 years to come up with that thought? :roll:

Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:33 am

hazetguy wrote: NASkeet wrote: BIGTSV wrote: Not as many Auto's as manual's but they are out there.

My guess and I say guess is 2 Auto's for every 10 manaul's. My guess comes from how many I see around today

That might be true in North America, but in Great Britain and probably also Europe, I estimate there are fewer than ten automatics (probably closer to 1 in 1000) for every thousand manuals, which should not be surprising, considering that most of the 1972~79 VW Type 2s here, have 1584 cm², VW Type 1 style engines.

took you over 2 years to come up with that thought? :roll:

No! Less than two minutes actually!

I just stumbled upon this topic thread, whilst checking the past posts of one particular forum member. =;

Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:51 am

I've owned a 74 Auto. It was the first baywindow with FI in the US, but I hated the way the automatic transmission shifted. Too much delay. I would never consider buying one as a driver. Sold (donated) mine after 2 months. :?