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Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:17 pm

I am sorta bumping around the the idea of getting a camper. So far my search has revealed that I like the 68-70 (are these called lowlights?) and I am partial to the full pop of the Rivis over the diagonal tent of the Westy's. Also, I would prefer the sink/stove/fridge and closet against the driver's side and the jump seat in front of the slider door. It seems that at least the closet storage is always covering the passenger side quarter windows and that seems sketchy from a blind spot perspective... A couple things I would like to know:

a) Did the earlier bay's come configured as I want, and if not, when did they change?
b) What are the pros/cons for the Westys versus Rivi's?

I have been reading the archives, but being a freshman to the bay forum has been daunting. Any help or ideas would be awsome. In the meantime and in between time, I am going to continue scouring the FAQ stickies to avoid any further noob questions....

Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:23 pm

you should also look into sportsmobiles. theyve got a top like the rivera, but a different interior. i dont know that much, but im pretty sure if you get donor buses you can create your own interior.

Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:43 pm

I agree that with enough donor or scrap busses with the right interior I can build it out any way I want, and that may be an option. I am just doing some preliminary research. Having never had a bus, or really spent very much time learning about them, I am excited to find that 'perfect candidate". But I dont want to jump right in....

So, does anyone find that the closet being in the passenger rear corner window creates hazards with other cars in your blindspot? That seems to me a critical issue, and not easy to switch without tearing up the whole interior. I would rather not turn a nice bus into some hack-job...

Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:03 pm

i own a 1971 westie and am in your area! welcome! i'm with you i prefer the top of a rivi as opposed to the westies and the layout of interior of the later bays, to the best of my knowledge, the 71's only came with the sink unit behind the pass. side. and depending on who did the conversion if you'd have a cabinet or a seat behind the driver, i currently have a deluxe sink/stove unit and fridge unit from a 78' that i was planning on putting my bus for the same reasons you are, just like the set up better. i know you can find ones with the rivi top as i just saw one on craigs list today for 4500 or something in the higher range of these things (i paid 1,500 for my first one and $400 for my second)

but don't fret! the shape of the baywindow doesn't change! so you can swap any year interior into another year with out any problems, the trick is you need to do it as a set, so beds and sink and stove units aren't all that interchangeable (some years to some years will work and some companies to other companies will work) but it's best to get everything as a set and save your self some time and grief such as i did!

my buses and what i'm doing
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=304065&highlight=
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=317538&highlight=
and a link to another post reguarding your question

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=311879&highlight=interior+swap
i think naskeet or whatever would know best about this, i'm sure he'll poop in a bit!

Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:07 pm

my bad wrong year, hold on i swear i saw a 71 rivi somewhere in the last few days

Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:22 pm

Dude.. You rule. Thats what I was wanting to know. I thought I was on the right track looking at pics of whats out there. I definatly want a bus with the small wrap around front signals under the headlight and the small-ish rear lights. The Rivi style tent is preferable to me, but the later style interior would have to be it. I cant remember if that describes a 71 or not, but I am really particular about what I want. I usually buy stuff to last me a long time, so I dont settle for 'Well, its almost what I wanted...." very often.

I want a bus to compliment my notchback, not replace it.

Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:41 pm

yea i'm sure you know they changed the tail lights in 73,73 somewhere in there, what your describing is a pre-72,73 or so. i'm pretty sure you can get one with a rivi top but not certain, i know you can get a high-boy top in a '71 also i believe the cut out on the roof is different between a rivi and westie so you can't buy a westie and fit a rivi top on it. i'm unsure of sportmobile and westie swaps but would imgine that wouldn't work either, i do think however a rivi to sportsmobile swap would work, but that would be pointless as you'd already have a rivi top :wink:

the whole top and interior thing is why i'm kind of abandoning my '71 and fixing up the 77 just like the interior options in the later bays more, not to mention the swivel seats are awesome! the girl wants to hang out so i gotta run, don't take me as the definitive source but i have done some research and this is my understanding of it all. feel free to get a hold of me anytime w/ questions or whatever.

also try to get your bus by october 3-5 big vw bus camper camp-out in Leavenworth along with the german beer festival Oktoberfest!
camp out,beer,stories,potluck, and a good time.
check wetwesties.org for information.