How did YOU get into Vanagons?

[J Charlton]

Always had a bug or bay for 20 years. Then about 15 years of vwless less soul less wandering. My salvation came as a result of rediscovering fishing - and then bought an '85 westy as a fishing machine. Couple of trips and always doubting the WBx - fearing it would crap out on me in the middle of nowhere
So I put a 2.5 Subaru in it. Loved it so we took a family trip to Florida with wife and 2 kids we quickly became disenchanted with constant clutter while on the road and then all the shuffling at every stop.
I remembered the convenience of touring in a hightopped T3 in the uk and Europe so I decided I wanted a hightopped van- so I brought some tops in from the UK - now I make them and sell them - both our model and the iconic AW top - trouble is that all of this is cutting into my fishing time big time.
Having a great time interacting with vanagon folks all around North America though.
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NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024

[Gnarlodious]

Betcha this is the most interesting story of the discussion. I stole this Vanagon from my parents, and they were so mad at me I was disinherited.

My grandfather was a diesel nut, and bought the first diesel Rabbit pickup about 1980 (Caddy). My parents got the bug from him, and collected all the VW diesels in the region of north Idaho-Spokane. They had about 35 diesel VWs hoarded on their rural farm, all gotten back then in the 1990s for basically scrap prices.

Then they committed a crime, for which they were eventually thrown in prison where they are to this day. To prevent the farm from being confiscated as restitution to the victim of the crime, they had signed the farm over to a great-uncle. He had no appreciation for old VWs, and in 2003 sent them all to the shredder. The farm was liquidated and nothing was left for me, except this old Vanagon.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[RainierSyncro]

Started with mom & dad's hand-me-down '66 bug. Moved on to a '72 914. After a fire burned up that car, I got a '75 914 as a daily driver. After several years, it wasn't very practical so I bought mom & dad's '77 Rabbit. Ran that thing into the ground and thought I needed something newer. In 1995 I was thinking of getting a brand new VW, but I got a look-see at a '90GL on the dealer's lot and though it was the coolest thing ever. I treat it like truck hauling everything from old Italian motorcycles, riding lawn mowers, pinball machines and plywood. Best van ever. After almost 15 years and 120,000 miles, it's time to move on to a Syncro. I'm getting one from Germany. Should be here next month. Can't wait.

[Slimvest]

[ycontractor]

Lot's of stories about people having always owned some sort of a VW. I never owned a VW until I bought my first Westy about 4 or 5 years ago. I owned a 2006 Tacoma which I bought mostly so that I could go camping in it. I put a camper shell on the back and was thinking of ways to turn it into a camping vehicle. It wasn't very comfortable for camping. I tried sleeping in the back, and it was cramped and cold. Not to mention the hassle of climbing into it and getting out etc.

Then one day I was watching David Lettermen and Tom Hanks was on. He was telling a story about a Vanagon he bought and was driving it on a vacation through multiple states. He thought it had broken down, turns out it was just out of gas! As soon as I saw it, I said "That's exactly what I want!" Started looking around and eventually bought my first one on Ebay. Never looked back since. In my mind, it's easily the most unique vehicle ever made.

[Terry Kay]

Put the key in the door, unlocked it, pushed the button, swung the door open, and hopped in.
Simple.
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T.K.

[nacradriver]

I started saving for a Triumph Spitfire when I was 13…. We went to go get it and my dad said no way… We ended getting a 1974 VW Bus that was used as a dealership “gopher car” and I never looked back.. If the walls of that van could talk!!!!! 35 years later and that van still brings a smile to my face....

In 1984 I knew the old bus was on it last legs…. Many miles on the clock (five or six X-country trips), some….ok a lot of rust, and it just wasn’t a practical reliable work car anymore. I went to the dealership and was lusting after the 1984 Vanagon that was the Cream White over Light Blue color scheme, but need a few more bucks for the down payment.. A few months later I ended up with a brand spanking new 1985 Capri Blue Tin Top with the Weekender package…. The rear seat folded to a bed..

Had that van for just a little less than six years when it took a fatal hit to the driver side rear while parked in front of my house one night… Drunk CSU Long Beach student with a S__t Heads for parents who tried to grind me on the replacement cost

I went to replace that with a 91 Vanagon and Wooowwwwza….$20K out the door….. My 85 was $10K out the door... Nope can’t afford that and ended up with a Ford Areostar…. From there we a different other can until this past November… After a three year search, I finally found one the made sense as I had saved to the van purchase and a maintenance reserve fund.

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Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985

[vwhammer]

To be brutally honest, I have no idea.
I have been a VW guy since I bought my first MK1 GTI 20 years ago.
Also, to be honest I don't know why I love those cars so much either.

I grew up in a good ol' dirt track racin' hillbilly family in southeast Ohio that liked Chevys and Fords and loved hating all things foreign.

Anyway, my initial love for VWs came in the form of all the boxy, lightweight "sporty" econo-boxes that VW was pumping out in the 80's (probably the only good thing to come out of the 80's other than my wife)

For the longest time I hated (strong word I know) the Vanagon.
For my teenage self they served no purpose.
They were ill handling, under powered, characterless bricks that seemed to be a poor excuse for a replacement for the Ill-er handling, under-er powered loaf of bread that was the VW bus.

I know that sounds harsh but I was living in a different time and I had no use for casual novelty or even usefulness for that matter.
My cars had to mean something.
They had to represent who I was and convey to the rest of the road going crowd that cared about the history and importance of my ride at the lowest cost possible.
What better car to drive than the original "Hot Hatch"?

To make a long story short, I grew up.
I still love the original GTI but as I got older I started to see the utility in a vehicle that I could not only drive every day but live in if I wanted to.

I started with Jeeps until my budget dictated the step up (If you want to call it that) to a Land Rover.
After realizing the Land Rovers complete lack of reliability and inability to sleep two people comfortably, I figured "what the hell, if I am going to have something unreliable why not make it a VW.
Now, almost inexplicably being a VW guy and an overlander, why not make it one that I could travel, cook and camp in and drive on a semi-regular basis.

It hit me almost overnight. (well sort of)
After some experience with various off road/camping arrangements it almost seemed that the Vanagon was the perfect vehicle for someone that loves to drive to random and remote places and sleep comfortable and secure in the same vehicle AND it was a VW to boot.

With the right Vanagon selection and the proper modifications, it is the perfect vehicle to drive on a semi-regular basis and camp in regularly.

I almost decided on a whim to buy my first Vanagon and began the search for the right one.
After scouring all the listings in all the Vanagon hot spots, one popped up about 40 minutes away for the right price and with only 80,000 miles on the clock.

It's an 85 tin top GL.

I met the dude, paid him the money and had a blast driving MY Vanagon for the first time 40 minutes home while I got to know the old girl.

It not much to look at now but it will do what I need soon.

I have not been able to stop thinking about all the places we will go ever since.

[nwester]

I love this thread. Great stories! So many paths to the same destination
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89 Westy "GoGo"
78 Riviera "Ollie"

[SteelB12]

As a kid, one of our neighbors (German immigrant) had a bay window camper. When he decided to get rid of it and upgrade to a 1987 Vanagon Westy, I got to go with him to the factory to pick it up. He drove us around Germany, Austria and Switzerland (and Lichtenstein for about 10 minutes) before we went over to Bremerhaven to have it shipped over to the US. Once he became too old to drive, I got it from him. Unfortunately I no longer have this particular Westy
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1987 Westy

[narendra.vw]

During my old & Golden days while I was doing my engineering, I had gone to watch a Hindi(our National language) movie.
The name of the movie was Don (nearest meaning of the word in English is ‘gangster’ ).
During those times hero was a 6 foot Super star. In the movie he had played a duel role, both the Hero & the Villain.
In one scene of the movie, the villain steps out of the Bay window with his long leg by sliding the side door That was the day I was first intrigued by a van. To this day, I can remember that scene perfectly. What amazed me the most was the Sliding doors which were very rare on those days.
I always liked the feeling of sitting in the front with only the wind shield as a barrier.

[rcook52459]

in 1969 got a 59 beetle,then 63 beetle at same time.drove them for 5or 6 years.went back to hotrods for couple years.about 1976 got a 68 camper.had that for 10yrs.went many places and a lot of fun.it rusted out is the reason got rid of it from Minnesota.went many years without one,but always missed it.then in 2011 was hit on my motorcycle,had a plate in my wrisit couldn't ride and just sitting around remembering the 68.found a 85 vanagon and have been gone in it at least a week every month since I've had it.will always have VW camper and no more motorcycle camping for me.spoiled now
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85 westy tiico conversion.auto trans triumph TR250 1980 Suzuki GS1000l

[kamzcab86]

Short story: Always wanted one since I was a kid, finally got one.

Long story:
Elementary school ('70s/'80s): Best friend's parents had a '78/'79 Westy that I got to ride in all the time... even at a young age, and despite having to yell to talk, I thought it was the coolest travel vehicle ever. Looked just like this one:

Then Vanagons came out. My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Adams, got one brand new. An '84 blue two-tone GL. I got the honor of riding in the front seat on a couple of occasions. It was awesome! Looked like this one, but with the plain-Jane wheel covers:

By this time, I had a bunch of VW Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars ('cuz I was VW-obsessed from an early age), including a blue Sunagon, which I played with until the sparkly paint wore off:

^Not mine, but that's what it looked like new.

Mom got a used '84 Rabbit Convertible in '84 (thanks, in part, to my influence; family's first real VW, followed by Dad's toy, '62 Baja Bug) and got me a "Different By Design" poster, that I still have, which has a white '85 full-camper on it that I dreamed of owning when I retired:

^Not mine, but same poster.

Got my first car, and dream car #1, the '86 Cabriolet, in '89.

While at work throughout the '90s and '00s, I came to The Samba and drooled over the Vanagon photo threads... and got a little depressed too.

Albeit not at retirement age yet, but dream car #2 became reality in 2010 (which is a very long story). Was not seriously looking to buy a Westy when this '90 Orly Blue in SoCal found me and couldn't pass it up:

It really sucks having to go tent camping now!

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~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[madspaniard]

In my case, thru my passion for windsurfing. I was planning a trip to Baja and had another friend coming with us with a Westy so that was the connection, a week before leaving on that trip I got my Westy, talk about shakedown test drive!!!

I used to drive a 1992 Golf MK2 GTI so that get the door open for VW, man, I loved that car so much...my sister still has it back in Spain.
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[Farfrumwork]

A buddy of mine was into Syncro's and I rode around in a few different models back in ~1998-2000. I was intrigued, but not hooked.

Then, a few years later, I borrowed my brother in-laws Mini-Winnie (eurovan, full camper) on a trip to Durango with my then 1.5yr old son and wife.

That was IT! I had to have a camper van after that.

My wife and I always had a van in the stable ever since college and we camped in them all the time (Astro cargo van for a long time, then a MPV).

I searched for about a year before I found our '85 up in Loveland. $3000 and it was ours (animal-print seat covers, toasted radiator, and all ). A LOT of sweat, and some blood and tears later we have an incredible Subie powered syncro camper



And I agree with Kamz - it really sucks to tent camp now (unless it's backcountry)
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sold -> '85 Wolfsburg Syncro / 'Built' DOHC EJ25 (a great machine!)
'07 Legacy spec.B, road tuned stgII
'17 4x4 Sprinter, stone grey, SMB pop-top, on 33"s

"Blood stains, speed kills - Fast cars, cheap thrills - Rich girls, fine wine - I've lost my sense, I've lost control, I've lost my mind"

[VWagabond]

Flash back; it's 1966 and the cars in the High School parking lot are GTO's, new Mustangs, Chevy Novas, 57 Chevys...you get the picture. Impressionable teenage watching TV, sees an ad for the "New for 1966 Volkswagon Campmobile" and he is fascinated. Some years pass and it's 1974 and a friend tells him that the friends brother has a 1966 VW Camper he drove from Alaska to NC and he wants to sell it. The only catch is the engine is in pieces in the floor. The young man knows nothing about working on cars but he has always remembered the tv ad and how he was drawn to it. Well, like an idiot he buys it for a $100 bucks and for an extra $25 the guy throws in all his Coleman camping gear...2 stoves, a lantern, 2 propane heaters and 2 Coleman 11lb propane bottles. With the help of John Muir's Complete Idiot manual, he rebuilds the engine and damn if it doens't fire up and run and after an 8 year wait, he finally gets to see what it feels like to drive a VW Van. Well that van has long moved on but I was hooked and still get a glow when I drive my 87 Westy. It's always exciting when it's time to go camping. The lessons I learned from John Muir still come in handy because, from the start, I've always known that if you're gonna drive a VW Van, you're gonna have to work on it to keep it going, even if it does go slow.
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The Road Goes Ever On & On……...
VWagabond
87 Camper GL
87 Syncro GL

[plummerdesign]

It was 1987. While picking through a wrecking yard (for SAAB parts) I noticed a 1980 Westfalia nearby. One look at what was INSIDE this vehicle told me everything. My goodness I HAD to have one. I took my wife to the VW dealership and we were hooked but the price was well out of our range.
Long story to get one: Brought home a ‘71 Westy tin top for 500 bucks; got it running and sold it buy a ‘77 Westy. Restored that and introduced the kids to camping. Sold it for a nice sum and bought the ‘84 (White) Westy.

Of course I now own the ’84 (Escorial Green) Westy, which just took me on another great road trip. Fun to remember how many cars I learned about while trolling the wrecking yards.
Cheers,
Jeffery

(Westfalia travel / camping videos at YouTube link below)
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It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9

[boozobug]

My family hand me down, 82 aircooler.
He started life as a Beige LHD 8 seater in Germany, and was converted there and sent to Australia brand new by my old man as RHD when we migrated here

Years of hard work, with a revamp in between to company colours.

Doesn't look that shiny anymore.....and in need of a rebuild

[campism]

[Rachelwins]

Well, sort of. My folks had a bus when I was a baby. They actually tore out the back seats and installed a sandbox for me and my brother to play in on long trips. (Before carseats, LOL.)

My boyfriend in college (who went on to become my husband) had a bus. We built a platform in the back and threw a futon in and went camping in it all over New England. Later, we graduated to a Vanagon that was the same goofy brown and beige two tone.

Sadly, that vanagon was totalled when my first baby was only 2 weeks old. After a 17 year dry spell, we finally bought another Vanagon- an '89 Carat that my husband bought, sight unseen, from Tennessee. He and my youngest son took a bus to Knoxville and drove the thing back. We have been having a blast in it since!
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In our family, we have owned every model of air cooled VW ever made.... except the notchback.