1979 Westfalia Deluxe Resurrection in Iowa

Boesen · Last edited by Boesen on Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:53 pm; edited 1 time in total

Growing up in VW German Family years ago, I always wanted a Bay Window of my own. LIved in California for about 5 years, and saw so many. Moved back home here to Iowa about 10 years ago, and figured sometime in my life it would happen. After many years of searching here in Iowa for a solid Bay, about 5 months ago, my dream came true. It is a resurection of sorts, the previous owner was the one who actually got it on the road and really polished it up to the point of looking somewhat better, with plans to restore it. Had all original paperwork from the dealership back in 79 (which oddly was located across the river from me back in 79), and all the "bells and whistles" Laughing

Along came the wife and I, and I knew I had to have it. After doing some research here on what to look for, I was satisfied it was worth it, even being a Iowa Bus. It's solid underbody, with a few minor rust issues The motor is rebuilt, I have changed the fuel lines , new Hanook tires, shocks, and brakes all around, and bought the Bently Manual right away. It's a project in the works but all we have is "time" in life, so ... Been working on a few things on the exterior over the last month or so, like new tent top and seals for it, pinstripe removal, and have ordered all new window seals, and it's going in for the Mexico Beige paintjob and body work next month.

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dcdubs · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:49 pm Post subject:

would be soo sweet to have the decals reproduced and put back after the paint job... its always fun building your camper for your family kepp the updates rollin Very Happy

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AllRightGarageDoorsNW.com

Boesen · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:51 pm Post subject:

Out for a cruise and dinner the other night and parked next to this one...

Boesen · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject:

Yes that will be the first thing after the paint is done. My little kids love it, but well oddly my tennagers don't. Laughing

Here is my daughter who loves helping me work on it.

dcdubs · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:05 pm Post subject:

any interior shots?
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EZ Gruv · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject:

Should have kept the stripes!
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Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
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busdaddy · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject:

BusterBrown · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:55 pm Post subject:

Alan Brase · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:28 pm Post subject:

Boesen · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:13 am Post subject:

These are the only two interior shots I have right now. The inside was in good shape, although the front seats needs reupholstered due to some major fading, but no rips in anything. Some of the laminate on the cabinets was starting to peel up, but plan to replace all with some new laminate, as I've seen a few posts here of people who have.

As far as the pinstriping, I liked it, but the top layer of the stripe had faded and didn't really have any color left to it. I think it was actually just the adhesive with dirt stuck to it. It came off quite easy on one side, but the other side took alot of work. The shop doing the body work and paint, says they will be able to reproduce them if I'd like. Just haven't decided yet if I'm gonna go that route.

I've had a lot of teenagers like it. MY own though not so much. Laughing

I think slowly as they ride in it more, they will come around and actually want to be seen in the front seat of it. Al, I see you are from Cedar Falls, I've got an uncle who I visit that lives in Waterloo, so maybe you'll see the Bus on our many trips to visit him. Also, have an old buddy from high school who lives up there that has a 86 Vanagon Westfalia sitting in his backyard with the typical head leakage that I've tried to take off his hands before..... BUt he says "Someday maybe".... Laughing

danfromsyr · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:40 am Post subject:

the problem with your teenagers is just that, they are your teenagers and won't like wnything you do that draws attention to them & their family.

if your neighbor's had a VW camper, their teenagers wouldn't be happy with them, but your's would.. especially if you weren't.. it's just a fact of life..

your teenagers will reflect back on the years & trips they had with their parents, when they are your age..

looks good keep on enjoying it.
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Randy in Maine · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:03 am Post subject:

Does that keep them from borrowing it? That would be worth it right there.

Fellow Hawkeye here also.

EZ Gruv · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject:

Boesen · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:42 pm Post subject:

Dan, you are right about my teenagers. Honestly though if it keeps them from driving it, I'm fine with it!!! Laughing

Ez and Randy, Sorry not a Hawkeye Fan, GO CYCLONES!!!! Very Happy

EZ Gruv · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:45 pm Post subject:

dcdubs · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:49 pm Post subject:

cabinets look to be in sweet shape compared to mine...decals can be made at any vinyl sticker shop, lots of dealers and camper conversion houses dressed up busses with stripes and such there are some good examples of busses with stripes on this site but you gotta dig a bit..or better yet lets start a bay decal thread. cant wait to see how you make it your own
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AllRightGarageDoorsNW.com

Boesen · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:12 am Post subject:

It's been a while, so thought I'd update a few things. Funny how the older I get the more I forget Laughing

Anyway, just some quick photos. Installed the Bosch H4's and what a differance it makes at night.

Comparison of Sealed Beam and H4 Lenses

New upholstery for seats after Isourced some OG plaid off a parts bus. Was upper bunk cushion cover,now front seat Upholstery. Both seats are done, just shot this picture so you can see the before and after. Used foaminstead of horsehair pads.

Also installed flooring. Total cost for flooring and materials was $12.00 courtesy of the local Habitat Restore. Wink

Then just some misc pictures. Was changing my dipstick boot when it was on hoist.

I'll update some more later tonight, have to head off to work now. Wink

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1979 Westfalia Deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=474334&highlight=iowa

creative native

A very nice Mexico Beige 1979, Boesen! I'm slightly biased as I also have a 1979 Mexico Beige P-27. Do you still have this Bus? If so, what have you done with it over the past 11 years?
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"The holy land is everywhere." ~ Black Elk
1979 Westfalia P27, California FI emissions spec. 100% VW fleet: '79 Westfalia, 2019 VW Atlas SEL Premium (Terra Brown/Shetland Beige), 2005 Passat GLX.

Boesen

Thanks Creative Native. Yes we still own it. We’ve owned about 5 other ones along the way since this thread but would sell them after a few years and keep this one. It’s been about a year now with just being back to owning this one bus. So many memories with this one I’ll never part with it.

I’ve done a lot and honestly lost count of the little things over the years. Still haven’t gotten a paint job. Maybe some day… 🤷🏻But have done some rust removal and all new window seals on it. I’ve had two awnings since this thread. 😂 Ditched the old stock fridge last year and went with a more modern 12v fridge. After many years of camping in it, our kids are grown now. It’s just my wife and I now using it for camping and me daily driving it until the snow comes each year. We had things we liked/disliked we decided to finally revamp the interior to our wants/needs. We cook outside all the time now for many years. So the big stove and that cabinet layout was useless for us inside. We wanted more open space inside but still somewhat stay in the style somewhat: The back wardrobe closet was always an PIA to access. About half way down you can see what I did on the layout. We love the new revamp/redesign of the cabinetry. I have no regrets on chopping the cabinets and reused portions. I sold the doors off the big cabinets and headknocker door (since I cut the headknocker back 6 inches and re-centered the door). . I also gave the stove away to a guy for his bus . The old fridge space makes for great food storage too. Our current 12v chest fridge is on a slide out. Above it is all our cookware behind the fold down door. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...start=9140
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1979 Westfalia Deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=474334&highlight=iowa

creative native

I understand holding on to the special ones and respect that you still have it.

I like the stripes. If I had the opportunity to have CEII stripes put on mine, I would likely do it.

OH YEAH! I remember when you posted about your changes and upgrades. That was an involved job and a lot of good work you did. I've considered a refrigerator upgrade myself.

I also agree about the stove. I've only ever used the Westfalia stoves for water for tea or coffee, boiling water or the like. I couldn't imagine frying food or cooking something like curry inside the Bus. When I camp, I always carry my Coleman's stove to cook outdoors.
_________________
"The holy land is everywhere." ~ Black Elk
1979 Westfalia P27, California FI emissions spec. 100% VW fleet: '79 Westfalia, 2019 VW Atlas SEL Premium (Terra Brown/Shetland Beige), 2005 Passat GLX.


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1979 Westfalia Deluxe Resurrection in Iowa
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