Tin Top Westy

[Brokenshire]

Hello VW fans!
I have had a few bay window Westphalia camp mobiles, all had the pop top! I am getting another but I have noticed on this site that an awful lot have no pop top! Am I correct in my investigation that the pop top was an "option". Some campers had it and some didn't? I know many buses have been converted into campers but that isn't what I am seeing.
Thanks!!!!

[Joey]

If the bus came from Westphalia it will have a pop top. Same as a Riviera camper. No pop top then it's most likely a homemade job. Also, the 2nd digit in the VIN number indicates the model type. On all my Westphalias the 2nd digit was a 3. My '74 has a 2 as it started life as a passenger bus - it now a camper. My panel bus has a 1.
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Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

[static]

[Joey]

[busman78]

I believe they were called Weekenders, had all the Westy goodies, rear seat bed, closet, fold down table, cooler (fake fridge) with sink, I have had two of them over the years, but never seen one with a stove.

[notchboy]

Most hard top campers are conversions. THe hard top Westfalia is a less seen version for two reasons - I think.

People want a pop top now just as they did then. The pop tops are kept, not crushed and or are restored. Compound that by the last 30 years and less pop tops made it to the wrecker. Hard tops did being "less desirable". But Joey - yes they made hard top versions.

If you see lots of hard top campers then the chance they are made that way is high. Especially now a days since the market is gravitating toward that.

Joey - here is my 74 resto on a hard to westfalia auto campmobile.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416201&highlight=

The term weekender was not used till the vanagon era. It describes a westfalia without the cabinets in the middle - so you see a passenger interior, pop top, simple flip up table and a rear cabinet. An expression now used to describe a simple lasser version of the camper. An incorrect reference to a bay window camper with a hard top and one I'm guilty of using since thats what people know.

To sum up my view. Less actual hard top "weekender" Westfalias because they are less glamorous. More passenger converted ones as they outnumber the Westy because thats what people want.
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[busman78]

Never was sure of the name, if any, there is a 72 tin top Westy for sale on ebay right now. The two I had one was a 74 non walk through, the other a 76 walk through. Both had the Westfalia id badge.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Volkswagen-Bus-Vanago...mp;vxp=mtr

[Tcash]

[Abscate]

Thanks phor phixing the phake inphormation on Westfalias.
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.ssS!

[Brokenshire]

I knew it!
In most cases, I can't see the serial number so you can't say for sure.
This has been a question of mine for YEARS!!!!!
Thanks...
Nice brochure.....

[pittwagen]

I bought a new 1974 Westfalia Campmobile model P21 almost 43 years ago. The official dealer name for the vehicle was a Westfalia Campmobile P21 model 231 941 and I still have the bill of sale. No idea why I kept it. Vehicle is long gone. It was always referred to as a Westfalia Campmobile or Westfalia P21.

Standard equipment here in Canada included fresh air fans and a BN4 gas heater. Only option was a Blaupunkt am/fm cassette radio. Still have the radio.

I had never heard the vehicle referred to as a hardtop, tintop or weekender until seeing the references on this site. FYI.

[Clara]

I think that most came with pop tops, but there were also tin tops. There were options, if it came with more options it cost more.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/1_68_westy.php

This brochure lists the pop top under optional equipment.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/70campmobile.php

There is also a small square pop top rarely seen in the US.

I have heard the term 'weekender' but no one seems to know what it means, so it doesn't really mean anything specific IMO.

[danfromsyr]

i've an all original 72 tin top westy in the back yard.
hopefully I'll get it in the garage next season..
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[JGB]

Here is my 1977 p21 love the tintops go camping all the time.

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77 Westy p21
66 Bug
74 Thing 1969 Eriba Puck

[busman78]

That 77 is nice, very nice.

Pittwagen, a tin top is just an easy reference to a metal roofed vehicle, Westfalia may of never used it but when describing a Westy saying you have a Tin Top pretty much eliminates you having a pop top. I used to call my 70 bay a tin top and it wasn't even a Westy, it also did not have a headliner or insulation so in a good down pour it was just like being under a tin roof.

[notchboy]

[busman78]

Nope, it had a nasty headliner when I got it, took it out, had no interest of installing a new one, nothing like tin on the inside and outside, at times you could call it a rattle can.

[Abscate]

[danfromsyr]

Abscate, you're not staying up there at that clothing optional campground are you

also if you're in the area this sunday (8/13) there's a VW show in Brewerton with free overnight VW camping Sat.
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[kerian159]

P21 Basic :"Tin-Top"
P22 Standard :Westy Top sink no stove and icebox
P27 Deluxe :Westy Top, sink, stove, refrigerator

At least that's the options for the '76ish year
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1976 Type II Westy P22

"Growing older, but not up!"