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Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:34 pm

crazyvwvanman wrote: 80 and 81, some Westy poptop models had... 3 person bed...

Oooh, that is sooo 70s. I guess once Reagan got in the White House 3-person beds fell out of favor (family values and all that).

Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:33 pm

Edit:
I just went through all of the brochures (again) and here's the underlying problem: In none of the brochures does it state "Weekender" as a model. However, the "Weekender Package" is listed as an option for several years. Here's the breakdown:

(click to get larger version)

And click here to get a more detailed run-down.

---------------

So, yeah, blame Volkswagen for all the confusion. :lol: :wink:

Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:32 pm

It's true. The term "Weekender" has been coined by the Vanagon community and applied to the low-spec camper models and Carat style vans for quite some time now. The only use of "Weekender" by VW in regard to a Vanagon was for the Weekender Package - the optional rear bed for the Vanagon GL that debuted on the 1984 Wolfsburg Editon Vanagon.

The two Vanagons commonly (and technically incorrectly) called Weekenders are:

1. The 1985-1987 Westfalia Camper with no kitchen: This van was really a 1985 Wolfsburg Edition Westfalia Camper, and then a 1986-1987 "Base" Westfalia Camper. The full Westy was called a Camper GL to differentiate it.

2. The 1987-1991 Carat/Wolfsburg Edition: Called a Wolfsburg Edition GL in 1987 and 1988, it became a Carat in 1989 and that name stayed through 1991. Just to confuse things further in 1989 there was also the infamous Bluestar and Whitestar, and these were referred to as 1989 Wolfsburg Edition GLs.

When you look at what a confusing array of names there were for the same basic model, and how poorly some of the names really described the actual van, it's little wonder that we've begun to call them Weekenders.

Incidentally, there actually was a Vanagon model called a Weekender. It was a model created and built by ASI. http://rivieraregistry.com/lit/82/82-2.jpg They started using the name in 1980 and carried it through 1983. The VW Weekender Package didn't come out till 1984. I've often wondered if VW got the idea for the name from this relatively obscure ASI model.

David

Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:30 pm

Alright I have seen it like 5x now. What/Who is ASI?

Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:29 pm

ntort wrote: Alright I have seen it like 5x now. What/Who is ASI?

ASI = Automotive Services Incorporated. They were located in Vancouver, Washington and they built the Riviera Campers for VW's west coast distributor, Riviera Motors. They did quite a bit of volume during the early years, but the Vanagons are pretty rare. They stopped building them after 1985.

David

Sun Mar 27, 2011 12:04 pm

mmmm so I have a rare Vanagon, certainly a limited edition 8)

Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:03 am

So I'm trying to sound like less of an idiot these days. I'm no expert on Vanagons, but I am now the proud owner of an '85. I don't know what to call the setup that I have, and after reading this I am still confused.

I know it is a GL. I know that it is a tin top (not a westy or riviera). The back seat is full width and flips down to make a bed. The middle seat is a two-person bench seat that faces forward. The front seats do not turn around.

What is the proper name for this setup? "Weekender"?

Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:29 am

Thats just a 7 passenger Vanagon GL. From my understanding, a weekender has a pop top but no kitchen. A rear facing jump seat and a flip up table are there instead. It also has the rear cabinets like a Westy. I guess the non pop tops with flip up tables and jump seats could be Weekenders too? Or a Carat?

Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:02 am

When I looked up the Carat they all had the rear-facing jump seats, flip-up table and no pop-top.

I figured whatever I've got it's one of the lesser-optioned models. Looks more like it was for soccer moms than outdoorsy types. So I take it that it is almost a base model. It does have velour seats and A/C though. No rear heater (was it removed?).

Quote: The only use of "Weekender" by VW in regard to a Vanagon was for the Weekender Package - the optional rear bed for the Vanagon GL that debuted on the 1984 Wolfsburg Editon Vanagon.

I don't see any Wolfsburg emblems (should I?) but this is an '85 with the folding bed/engine cushion in the back. According to the chart above, the engine cushion started in '86 :?:

Tue Sep 04, 2012 2:41 pm

SteveVanB wrote: Thats just a 7 passenger Vanagon GL. From my understanding, a weekender has a pop top but no kitchen. A rear facing jump seat and a flip up table are there instead. It also has the rear cabinets like a Westy. I guess the non pop tops with flip up tables and jump seats could be Weekenders too? Or a Carat?

As already mentioned, there is no official Weekender model, only an optional "Weekender Package" available for the tin-top Vanagon/GL. This "Weekender Package" entails adding an over-the-engine cushion and a 3rd row bench seat that folds down into a bed, nothing more.

The Carat features two rearward-facing jump seats, side table, cupholders, body side cladding, and interior conveniences/luxuries.

The 1990-1991 pop-top with two jump-seats and no kitchen was called a Multivan (basically, a Carat with a pop-top, cabinet, and sliding curtains). So, technically speaking, if we're going to use a catch-all term, all pop-toppers minus the kitchen should be called Multivans, not "Weekenders". But "Weekender" has been ingrained in us for so long, that's not going to change. :wink: :lol:

Frankie Pintado wrote: When I looked up the Carat they all had the rear-facing jump seats, flip-up table and no pop-top.

I figured whatever I've got it's one of the lesser-optioned models. Looks more like it was for soccer moms than outdoorsy types. So I take it that it is almost a base model. It does have velour seats and A/C though. No rear heater (was it removed?).

I don't see any Wolfsburg emblems (should I?) but this is an '85 with the folding bed/engine cushion in the back. According to the chart above, the engine cushion started in '86 :?:

If you have (or are looking at) an '85 with a rear bed, here's your options of what it is (from my research anyway):
■ 7-passenger Vanagon/GL with optional Weekender Package (tin-top)
■ 6-passenger Vanagon Wolfsburg Edition (pop-top w/o kitchen)
■ 4-passenger Vanagon Camper (pop-top w/ kitchen)

Carat did not exist until the 1989 MY and had many luxury features standard, as opposed to optional, hence it being far from a base model. :wink:

Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:03 pm

I never knew there was a 1-year-only option for a 9-seater vanagon in 1982 (per that chart. We had a Diesel '82 when I was kid, but it was only a 7-seater transporter. Where were the other two seats?

Mon Nov 19, 2012 10:49 pm

dhaavers wrote: OK - here we go:

Problem is, WE'RE probably the ones using the term weekender incorrectly (even me)...the hardtops you can sleep in were the first true weekenders, starting in 1985.

READ ON:

WEEKENDER
VW first offers the "Weekender Package" in 1985, ONLY for hardtops:
"Folding rear bench seat with storage compartment, engine compartment cushion and center seat with folding backrest"
Options from 1985 brochure: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/85vanagon/page11.jpg

Described slightly different in 1986: "folding bed, engine compartment cushion - cloth only" - again ONLY as an option on hardtop models.
I haven't scanned in my 1986 brochure, but here are the identical options listed in 1987 brochure: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/1987_00_vanagon/Seite13.jpg

POPTOP
Before 1986 there was only one camper model; "Camper"
- what we now often call a "Full Westy" w/poptop bed, sink, stove, fridge & cabinets.

Starting in 1986, this was model was renamed the "Camper GL"
- same features as the previous "Camper".

In 1986 the "Camper" model became what now is sometimes incorrectly called a "weekender":
- that is, poptop bed, built-in closet & overhead storage, fluorescent interior light, curtains, hatch door screen & skylight...PLUS...
2nd battery, "jump" seat behind driver's seat, 110/12-volt "icebox", folding side table, 3-across folding bench seat & (OMG) THREE built in cup holders!

Who knows where this incongruity crept in...I blame GoWesty!

This article attempts to explain it, but glosses over many important differences from year to year and even uses the term "Weekender" (incorrectly) to describe the base model Camper...
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=1138

I know after I read that several years ago, I started looking for a poptop "weekender"...

Or maybe I'm confused again...??? :wink:

I have the 1886 Volkswagen Vanagon sales brochure right in front of me. It refers to both the Vanagon and Vanagon Camper where it is talking about the general attributes like the engine, the Syncro drivetrain, etc., but where it talks about the Camper it states "The Camper GL carries its own home. Domestic amenities include a unique pop-top roof with skylight. A kitchenette. Swivel seats. And two double beds."

On the next page it goes on to say "If you'd like even more luxury, the Vanagon Gl adds contoured front bucket seats with fold-down armrests, power steering and a tachometer." Furthermore, "The base Camper is the perfect solution for those who like to get away for the weekend but need a family size van for six during the week. Special features include a rear-facing seat behind the driver, two double bed areas, a clothes locker and storage cabinets, a folding side table, a removable ice box, even a second 12-volt battery."

Under Options it lists the "Weekender Package: folding bed, engine compartment cushion-cloth only" It shows it only available on the hardtop Vanagon L and the Vanagon GL and GL Syncro.

I too have a 1986 Basic Camper which I purchased new. It was many years before I heard the term "Weekender" to describe it. I think it was when I joined the Samba, or possibly picked it up from the GW website. I think the EV called the similar appointed model the Weekender. I generally call mine a "Weekender" also just so others can relate. Nobody seems to understand "Basic Camper"

Either way the vehicle you describe does not sound like a Weekender.

Tue Nov 20, 2012 10:48 am

TommyBoyGomes wrote: I never knew there was a 1-year-only option for a 9-seater vanagon in 1982 (per that chart. We had a Diesel '82 when I was kid, but it was only a 7-seater transporter. Where were the other two seats?

The 9-seater was actually 1980-1982 and featured a full-width second-row bench seat, and a short bench seat up front; so, 3 in front, 3 in the middle, and 3 in back, as shown here:

Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:10 pm

Interesting, learn something new everyday, thanks.

Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:17 pm

Some brochures:
http://www.vwpix.org/T3/Prospekte/usa/index.html
:)

Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:24 pm

I bought a 1985 Vanagon GL new in '85. I had the 'weekender' package installed. Bed, cushions, and curtain rods.
Built a custom camping box that replaced the middle seat and held more gear, including firewood, when we hit the road. Lots of great family memories in that Vanagon!
Mark

Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:02 pm

My '86 Wolfsburg Basic Camper is a late '86, manufactured in May of '86. It has manual steering, while at the same time came with the '87 A/C and power mirrors and a rear wiper. It did not have a radio, but did have a radio prep kit which was wired with 2 wires for each speaker. I don't know if it has the bad 3-4 slider in the trans or if it is like an '87.

According to the GoWesty website, the '87 A/C was accompanied by a change from the brown to the gray upholstery. That may have been true for the GL models, but my Basic model still had the lousy brown Corduroy which was worn out at 85k miles.

VW was always making changes mid year, so you never know exactly what you have.

Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:46 am

Love My Westy wrote: VW was always making changes mid year, so you never know exactly what you have.
True dat.

They certainly planned to make changes with each model year, but do you suppose
they'd just wait 'til they ran out of the old stuff before putting in the new...???
(Materials efficiency? Waste not/want not? Whatever-you-want-to-call-it...???)

FWIW - MY mid-year '86 Basic Camper (built January '86):
- power steering
- factory AC w/older (pre-'86) reciever/dryer & expansion valve (w/capillary tube)
- manual "floppy" mirrors
- NO rear wiper :(
- standard '86 tan interior (corduroy, self-destructing) :wink:

Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:13 am

dhaavers wrote: Love My Westy wrote: VW was always making changes mid year, so you never know exactly what you have.
True dat.

They certainly planned to make changes with each model year, but do you suppose
they'd just wait 'til they ran out of the old stuff before putting in the new...???
(Materials efficiency? Waste not/want not? Whatever-you-want-to-call-it...???)

FWIW - MY mid-year '86 Basic Camper (built January '86):
- power steering
- factory AC w/older (pre-'86) reciever/dryer & expansion valve (w/capillary tube)
- manual "floppy" mirrors
- NO rear wiper :(
- standard '86 tan interior (corduroy, self-destructing) :wink:

Is yours a Wolfsburg Model? I always thought the A/C, rear wiper, and power mirrors might be part of that package.

Thu Nov 22, 2012 11:01 am

^^^ Yep - Wolfsburger.