1979 Westfalia Deluxe and sundry Tales of Constance

[Our79Westy]

Hello and welcome to the next exciting chapter of another sundry Tale of Constance.

We had enjoyed the company of our new bus (reads as "busted our butts" cleaning, painting, polishing, maintenancing, etc.) for 2 months before I think I heard an add on the local radio station and we got the bug to go to our first VW event put on by the local VW Club (VW Cruisers, thanks 2U).

http://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/

http://vavwgroups.forumotion.com/t79-vw-crusers-show-flying-circus-bealeton-va

We weren't sure if we wanted to actually enter the bus in the event as we had never been in the situation to even consider such a thing. We figured that since it was so close and we didn't "have to" enter it in the show, we might as well just "make an appearance" and check things out.

I was also hoping to gain some first hand experience from fellow Volkswageniers and maybe score some needed parts and upgrades.

When we arrived and were about to pay the entrance fee I asked if I had to decide to enter my bus now or could I do it later. The gatekeeper said "later was acceptable" so we paid as visitors and went to find a place to park.

Being a "later" arriver we had to drive through all the earlier arrivers already in place. We ended up with a sweet spot to setup at the end of a row with lots of display space. Here's the rear of the bus open for inspection.

Thank you Dad for everything you've done and do. We appreciate your efforts in making Constance a reality and making this experience possible.

Some shows add extra points for the display which is something we are constantly evolving.

There were as many cool cars as there were cool owners and spectators. It was awe inspiring to see the range of VeDubs on display. I was amazed and intoxicated by the variety and conditions of vehicles present. See our bus photopeeking in the background?

It was fun to stroll around and meet the various owners and other entries (reads as "sizing up the competition") not to mention there was an air show (with airplanes not just aircooled) and other things going on (shees I sound like a commercial already) Do you see Constance photobombing in the background?

After we set up and took short turns walking around and "spectating" ourselves, we decided to go ahead and enter the bus into the show proper like. i filled out the paperwork and provided the appropriate donation and went on the enjoy the day, the company and the experience.

There were many vehicles worthy of trophies that day. Around 4pm everyone formed a large horseshoe shape around the award tables as we gathered to distribute the accolades and spoils of judgment. First they called off raffle numbers from the entrance tickets and we FREAKED when MY ticket was the first called. Amid the ruckus of cheers and groans of the nonwinning ticket holders I nervously walked from the back of the crowd to the speaker, showed him the ticket and shook his hand. This being my first "rodeo" I stood there awkwardly until he pointed me towards a table and started reading the next number. Looking over the consolation prizes I spied a VW Sand buggy Die cast Matchbox not currently part of my collection and childishly scampered away with my "prize" and the biggest cheshire cat grin you ever saw. They continued reading off more numbers until all the prizes were gone and then started with the trophies. I gotta hand it to these guys, some of those trophies were the COOLEST things I had ever seen. They appropriately went to vehicles that deserved them and we watched as the tables grew ever emptier. We listened through the various awards and were not expecting to win anything based on our competition. However we felt like proud parents when we heard our names being called by the announcer for placing in the top 25. I strolled up to the to receive the award, bask in the excitement therein and once again don said grin.

With everything there was to do and see the day just flew by. We met some wonderful people and saw some incredible vehicles. It was quite an enjoyable experience and we learned a little of what it takes to place at a show. On the drive home everyone was abuzz discussing the excitement of the day and even the bus seemed happier to have been amungst its VW brethren.


Thanks again for reading through yet another Sundry Tale of Constance. In the next chapter I will detail the projects leading up to the Next VW Show "Bug-Out 74" almost a year and a half later.

May the road rise up to meet you...
_________________
1979 Westfalia DELUXE 2.0 FI manual
Mexican beigeutiful and mostly original.

See the most up to date status of Constance on YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvO1ZedS22IepvvRYaTxiPQ

My 1979 Westfalia Campmobile's sundry Tales of Constance
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620965

1990 Vanagon, Red, Driven 70,000 miles till sold.

[Ernie Punkin]

Super entertaining Our79Westy! Thanks for the great storie. I read every line. Now waiting for the next installment.....
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1977 Westfalia "Happy"
Bye Bye 1979 Westfalia ERNIE the REI Bus
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Ion Pod Trailer

[Our79Westy]

Hello and welcome back to another sundry tale of Constance. After rereading through my post and a few other sambanista’s I just had to share some more pictures from my experience. If you’ve never entered your VW into a show, then consider it. There is a rush of adrenaline and pride you get when your name is called that is amazing. Everytime I see the trophy it brings back some of that. To be sure, everyone of us performs a labor of love when it comes to keeping our vehicles on the road. It took more than a “wash and wax” to get my bus safely back on the road. But before I go more into my endeavors, I want to share some of the awesome vehicles that came out to play with Constance that day.

I love off roading and hope to someday do it in somethin like these...or equivalents

And of course the Bugs were out of control!!!

Hope you enjoyed these photos and I look forward to showing the projects accomplished before Bug-Out 74.

Cheers
_________________
1979 Westfalia DELUXE 2.0 FI manual
Mexican beigeutiful and mostly original.

See the most up to date status of Constance on YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvO1ZedS22IepvvRYaTxiPQ

My 1979 Westfalia Campmobile's sundry Tales of Constance
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620965

1990 Vanagon, Red, Driven 70,000 miles till sold.

[Our79Westy]

Hello and welcome back to another sundry tale of Constance. Thank you all for your continued interest and advice.

Soo, I left off with the buzz of our first VW show “win” and thoughts of future shows and cool people to meet. As well as the plethora items on the bus that needed addressing…as soon as the weather allowed.

This episode will cover the steering wheel Horn button, battery tray and ground strap clean, starter service, heater tube service, oil change, and new fuel lines all around…where I can reach

Then off to the show...

Constance spent her first winter outside since her arrival here in the states.

Kinda sobering when I say it like that, but the original owner has a two car garage she used to sleep in and I only have a carport. Now worries though, it wasn't long before we bought a blanket to keep the elements at bay...

There's a learning curve with a new vehicle. Especially one so particular and precise as a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile. The horn only works when the steering wheel is in specific positions...so I investigated and found this...

is the steering wheel supposed to look like this?

Im thinking that metal piece is supposed to be a complete circle or something because even after I cleaned it up it is still finicky.

Talking about finicky, living and loving Constance for over 6 years now I can look back and retrospect the various finictious escapades this vehicle has had...and the lengths I went through to fix this and that...and that...and that... like how about the battery tray flooding issues?

I drained that swamp and sprayed it with acid neutralizer...it's supposed to turn pink where there's acid...

Horray no acid! Not something you'd expect to hear from a VW bus Owner...lol,but after a generous helping of the grease from elbow I cleaned it up as best I could and put it all back together for another day...

heres the empty house battery tray, just longing to fulfill its purpose

heres yet "another day" project, clean and paint the air inlet channels

the bottom of the taillights were holding water and the plastic corroded exessively.

everything needs attention and adoration...I still need to sort the turn signals, because in 2013 the hazard flashers still worked...

unlike the starter...

how important is that heat shield stuff there? I still havent replaced it yet...

This specific starter bolts is a challenge to fenagle. especially when its the transmission bolt...lol

After all this it functioned/started satisfactorily so it was off to another project

and and oil change...

no haters please!

you should always fill your filters boys and girls

and get a visual on the mating surface of your oil filter

a dash of royal purple really looks nice

hmm, I wonder what's missing from this picture? (hint air flow)

Everyone should know the story of fuel line ruptures and fires by now.

Constance was no exception and so attention was applied...

The Sambapeeps are good at reminding new owners of such dangers...so I dug into replacing mine..

I want to upgrade the hose clamps at some point, but I'm so familiar with the fuel lines now that I'd rather just replace them periodically.( like every 2 to 5 years...maybe?).

When the original owner "gave" us the bus she reflected on the many quirks Constance had...like the heater control diverter valves were gone, and the local mechanic would hook and unhook the heat in the fall and spring...joy...

spread out my driveway yoga matt in preparation for the ensuing driveway calesthenics

There that should do...(in hindsight? Summer, Virginia, HOT outside...now its gonna be HOT INSIDE (WOOPS!) and it was on the way to BugOut!

Chase car! Thanks for the support Mom and Dad. Thankfully we only needed them for emotional support this time as the bus ran superb all the way from Fredericksburg, VA to south of Richmond, well over hundred miles round trip. The furthest we had ever been from home with our newest family member.

And constance loved being amung her peers again!

It was an even better experience than the last! a HUGE event with lots of vehicles and even drag racing!

It was AWESOME...Dad even volunteered to be a judge, which came with a free lunch and T-shirt (BONUS!)

So now we come to the part you've all been waiting for... pictures of the show! Bus first:)

These folks had it going on, and took first as appropriate for the level of detail!

Bravo!

A load of awards! Congratulations!!!

a sweet pickup

and then there were the beetles

sweet air conditioning!

I absolutely love the paint job on this

a sweet thing

and this is how you take first in your Beetles category:)

Did I mention it was hot? Unfortunately this really turned us off to summer shows...we would have to be better prepared if we do another. Not only for the heat but if we ever wanted to place anywhere near first.

Yeah, you read that right, we run with live bulls too!

Sweaty, tired, sore from cushionsdissolvedawhileago seats we made it home safely and got unpacked.

and TOTALLY ENJOYED THIRD PLACE

Thank you again for reading this far. I hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did. In the next episode I break into the brakes and continue to tackle more issues an old vehicle inevitably acquire.

I cherish your positive comments and advice and wish you all the happiest..

ttfn
_________________
1979 Westfalia DELUXE 2.0 FI manual
Mexican beigeutiful and mostly original.

See the most up to date status of Constance on YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvO1ZedS22IepvvRYaTxiPQ

My 1979 Westfalia Campmobile's sundry Tales of Constance
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620965

1990 Vanagon, Red, Driven 70,000 miles till sold.

[MorkC68]

brilliant thread, enjoyed reading about Constance!

Happy Adventuring
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[Our79Westy]

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbY2xybPLRHyzrZ7We6-UB1dTGei0xo3Z

Wow, time has flown. Constance is doing great! I debued on me tube today. i hooe you enjoy the progress ive made. i will continue this post soon
_________________
1979 Westfalia DELUXE 2.0 FI manual
Mexican beigeutiful and mostly original.

See the most up to date status of Constance on YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvO1ZedS22IepvvRYaTxiPQ

My 1979 Westfalia Campmobile's sundry Tales of Constance
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620965

1990 Vanagon, Red, Driven 70,000 miles till sold.

[creative native]

How has Constance been? Any updates?
_________________
"The holy land is everywhere." ~ Black Elk
1979 Westfalia P27, California FI emissions spec. 100% VW fleet: '79 Westfalia, 2013 Touareg Lux (Toffee Brown/Cornsilk Beige), 2005 Passat GLX.

[Our79Westy]

Well hello and thank you I appreciate your interest and Constance is doing great, per se . I have been keeping a pretty accurate vlog on the most recent consternations...Overall Constance is in good spirits however I need to rebuild the passenger front disc brake cylinder because it is dragging. Until I can fix that I am stuck just running down to the gas station every so often..I moved to Florida and started raising the cutest KuneKune pigs. Constance is currently battling mold growth...I have a small dehumidifier running inside and that seems to be working... Everything is holding up well and I am super happy with all the work we've done so far. If you want to see the most recent info on Constance please check out Constance's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY

With warmest personal regards regards STOC
_________________
1979 Westfalia DELUXE 2.0 FI manual
Mexican beigeutiful and mostly original.

See the most up to date status of Constance on YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvO1ZedS22IepvvRYaTxiPQ

My 1979 Westfalia Campmobile's sundry Tales of Constance
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620965

1990 Vanagon, Red, Driven 70,000 miles till sold.

[creative native]

Our79Westy, thanks for the update. I have subscribed to your YouTube channel.
_________________
"The holy land is everywhere." ~ Black Elk
1979 Westfalia P27, California FI emissions spec. 100% VW fleet: '79 Westfalia, 2013 Touareg Lux (Toffee Brown/Cornsilk Beige), 2005 Passat GLX.

[Our79Westy]

Hi creative native I really do appreciate your interest, comments and subscription It motivates me to spend time with Constance. Life can get hectic for one reason or another. Sometimes it takes a concerted effort to fix the most pertinent issues. Both in life and with my Volkswagen...lol. I have not abandoned this thread and look forward to continuing the story when I can get a comfortable workstation. Since I moved from Virginia to Florida I've been trying to build the Me-2 page for my family and friends. I thank anyone who reads this to become one of either Thank you again for your continued interest in the history of this wonderful Volkswagen. I look forward to sharing more as I can. With warmest personal regards.
_________________
1979 Westfalia DELUXE 2.0 FI manual
Mexican beigeutiful and mostly original.

See the most up to date status of Constance on YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvO1ZedS22IepvvRYaTxiPQ

My 1979 Westfalia Campmobile's sundry Tales of Constance
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620965

1990 Vanagon, Red, Driven 70,000 miles till sold.

[ToolBox]