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lemke
Samba Troll
Joined: February 24, 2004
Posts: 1249
Location: Seattle
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 Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 8:03 am Post subject: Opinions Needed on a Westy For Sale |
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Hello all, I have seldom posted in your forum, but I do read it a lot.
I would like your expert opinions.
I went to look at a 1971 westy yesterday as I have been looking for a camper for a while.
PROS:
OG paint, only minor surface rust, complete westy interior with bed, sink, OG canvas in good shape on the hinged pop-top, stock engine (exept alternator and 009 distributor) it does run. It looks presentable and decent. Things like the floor mats show very little wear, indicating little use. This bus is pretty stock.
CONS:
Needs a clutch, so I cannot be sure the tranny works; I have swapped out trannys in Ghias before, so I can do that, if need be. A few electrical issues, but that is one thing I am good at; electrics. The outside driver’s door handle is broken, but that looks like an inexpensive fix. The gas pedal is broken, and needs to be re-welded to the floor – is this a common problem with this vintage? I was told that a house door hinge can be tailored to work with sheet metal screws to re-attach the gas pedal - is that a practical idea, or a “jerry-rig”?
The asking price for this bus is $750.00 – I am sure I could get it for even less.
Thanks in advance for all opinions I can get on this. |
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bdann
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2003
Posts: 460
Location: Rowlett, TX
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 9:06 am Post subject: |
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For $750, no rust, nothing major is missing.....I say go for it. If you can get it for even less, then it's a serious no brainer, buy it.
Did you check for rust on the front floor pans? If the pedal is broken...perhaps it rusted. Still sounds like a good deal to me. |
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dembus
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2005
Posts: 1272
Location: Fleming Island, Florida
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 9:32 am Post subject: |
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| Buy it today or it will be gone tomorrow. Especially if the body is solid. Even if, as a last resort, it became a parts mobile you could double or triple your money. Sounds like a safe purchase to me. |
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Devon-Dyno-Soar118
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2004
Posts: 849
Location: Devon UK
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 10:04 am Post subject: |
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Thats a $2000 at least bus in the UK! Tranny swap is no problem, but you need to put an a jack stand under the bell housing on the box when you pull the motor. wave $500 at him and tow it away.
_________________
71 West coast Kombi
54 Oval, 60k km from new
Daves 68 Bug Project
Rust Collector. |
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BobDog
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2004
Posts: 1193
Location: Orange County
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keifernet
Samba Search & Rescue
Joined: May 11, 2002
Posts: 19395
Location: Samba Center for Behavioral Science
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 11:04 am Post subject: |
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HELL YEAH... snag it... electrical issues are for the most part ( barring a major butcher job, fire or rat chewing extravaganza   ) easy to repair. 71 harness is not yet so complex as to be a real pain like some of the later models. |
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TrickyThom
Samba Anarchist
Joined: May 03, 2005
Posts: 383
Location: 03031
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 11:28 am Post subject: |
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Is it haunted?
Does the crank case oil turn to blood?
Can I have the guys phone #? 
_________________
1977 Riviera |
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TeamSpatula
Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004
Posts: 5212
Location: WNC
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 11:30 am Post subject: |
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Any idea on the engine history? Then again, even if you have to replace the tranny and rebuild the engine, you've got a rock-solid bus to work on...that's a lot better than a good running, but rusty, bus...
_________________
<---Air Cooled Search & Rescue Team - STICKERS & T-shirts for sale!
I NEED A CAMPER!!!! (1971 is ideal but will consider other years)
http://www.TeamSpatula.com |
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jas-bury71westy
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2005
Posts: 103
Location: Dover, NH
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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Who cares what the cons are. They are few and far between and at that price there are not any at all...go buy it.
_________________
1971 Westy
1999 A6 Advant Quattro
2002 Honda Civic EX
This Flesh and Bone...It's just the way we're tied in. Peter Gabriel |
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shiningstar76
Samba Brewer
Joined: July 12, 2003
Posts: 2689
Location: Savannah
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| Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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For that price, a complete bus is a deal despite any faults. I would buy it.
_________________
KK4NTP
96 Tacoma
86 4Runner
My bus caught on fire and is now on the other coast with someone who gave me money for it. |
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lemke
Samba Troll
Joined: February 24, 2004
Posts: 1249
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I bought the bus! I am stoked!
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and opinions. I guess it was a big "DUH.." and major no-brainer as to whether is was a good buy. I just wanted to see what you guys thought. Expect to see me over here a lot more, now that I am a bus owner. I know I’ll have lots of questions. |
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BobDog
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2004
Posts: 1193
Location: Orange County
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Karl
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2001
Posts: 6170
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
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| Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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| lemke wrote: |
Well, I bought the bus! I am stoked!
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Geez......after all these people told you not to.......
Now you are going to have buyers remorse....... |
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spiffy
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004
Posts: 531
Location: Tacoma, WA
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| Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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good year and a very nice purchase! Congrats 
_________________
78 Riviera
67 Riviera
www.rivieraregistry.com |
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lemke
Samba Troll
Joined: February 24, 2004
Posts: 1249
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris Galvin wrote: |
Welcome new Bus Pilot.
The 71 is truly a special year.
Type 1 Motor and the first year the Dual Ports were introduced.
First Year with Front Disc Brakes.
So any pics ? What Color ? How many miles ? |
Yes, I always thought that 1971 buses represnted the best of simplicity and more modern conveniences.
I will try to post some pics soon. I don't have a digital camera, but I do plan to get one soon. It is white, and almost certainly the original paint. I have the original keys, indicating few owners. It even has the original hubcaps, while that may seem minor, it says to me that the bus was pampered - it is SOLID. I got a great deal.
My bottom line is to camp in the bus - seems like the best way to camp. |
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BobDog
Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2004
Posts: 1193
Location: Orange County
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lemke
Samba Troll
Joined: February 24, 2004
Posts: 1249
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 7:33 am Post subject: |
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| Chris Galvin wrote: |
| Did it come with any goodies....such as a drive away tent....or the camping stool ? |
I don't think those are still with the bus. But could you elaborate on just what those two items are?
Also, does anyone know if there are owners manuals that would elaborate on all of the original features of the 1971 camper, or were there too many different options available for a manual to be that specific? |
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Devon-Dyno-Soar118
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2004
Posts: 849
Location: Devon UK
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 10:30 am Post subject: |
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Get the factory owners manual- its the nuts for extra info. Someone here will undoubtedly have a source or online reproduction. My 71 is white too- welcome to the club!
_________________
71 West coast Kombi
54 Oval, 60k km from new
Daves 68 Bug Project
Rust Collector. |
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jerseyboy
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2005
Posts: 256
Location: South Jersey
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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| I just got a '71 Westy for $750 and your's sounds in better shape than mine, and I thought I got it for a steal! I just got it started this morning after rebuilding the carb and one of the PO ripped out the heat exchangers and replaced them with J tubes I've just discovered...so much for camping in Minnesota summer! |
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dembus
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2005
Posts: 1272
Location: Fleming Island, Florida
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 6:19 am Post subject: |
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[/quote]
Also, does anyone know if there are owners manuals that would elaborate on all of the original features of the 1971 camper, or were there too many different options available for a manual to be that specific?[/quote]
Click on the archives link above and choose 68-up bus to see some original owners manuals. Congrats on the purchase, sounds like a good buy. Post some pics and lets check it out. |
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