Is this '72 Camper a deal or a piece of crap?

sambrooks09

ive always wanted a vw bus, and was wondering if i should buy this VW Bus Westy. Does it seem like a good buy or a piece of crap? Also how much do you think it would cost me to put a motor in considering it doesnt come with one? Also can you tell what year model this one is because it has two different years in the post?
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE BUS TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1503219296.html

Glenn · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject:

It's a project.. can you put it together yourself?

If you have to pay someone else then you're better off buying a running vehicle.
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Mountain Minstrel · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject:

I have read here that a good streetable bus will cost in the area of $8,000. I have about what that seller is asking into mine, and I project that I will be into it for about $5,000 to get it mechanically sound so I think that 8 G's is a good estimate. The question you have to ask yourself is "do you want to put $7750 worth of work into that bus, or do you want to put a bigger part of the money in upfront?

It will be your bus, your time, and your money so you are the only one who can answer that question.
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Ken
69 Westy
99 S-10
04 Miata (Sold)

rustfree1967bug · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject:

Thats a 1972 like it says in the title of the ad.
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'69 ghia
'65 singlecab
'66 sunroof beetle
'74 bus
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frank79 · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

If you are confident in your mechanical skills and have time on your hands...then the answer is "it's a fine deal." (if it's not rotted out). If you are not and would like to drive sometime in the next year...it's a definite no! Very Happy

If you think you can do the work I'd offer $300 bucks for the rusty bus with no motor though. You'll probably still be the high bidder. Check closely for rot. $300 is way too much money for a bus with rotted unibody beams, rails, wheel arches and such. Look close! Shocked

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david_594 · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

I feel like $8000 for a streetable bus is definitely on the higher end for making a good driver. I bought a solid body with a bug motor sitting in the back seat for $1000. Spent about another $1000 building up a fairly solid motor. And then probably another $1000 or so beyond that in random stuff.

Could use some body work, but as it stands its covered in paint, and has no rust through on the body. And has the nicely reinstalled westy interior.
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Desertbusman

TopBud · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

The picture isn't the best. I do see the earlier bumpers, but it looks like the roof opens like a later one. It may be the picture but the roof looks later. It can be added, check that whole install.
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TopBud · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

The picture isn't the best. I do see the earlier bumpers, but it looks like the roof opens like an older one. It may be the picture but the roof looks later. It can be added, check that whole install.
_________________
86 bostig syncro tin top
66 convertible Karmann Ghia

CombatBus · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject:

do you have mechanical ability to work on it? i like type1 engine buses but if you want fuel injection or like type 4 engine it would be a good bus if there isnt alot of rust or heavy wear. go take a good look at it under neath and suspension tires and under the front mat where your feet would sit.
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Da bus! 71' deluxe dyno'd 154whp 153tq with large heads SOLD
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=382960
77' SC one cab 2 peeps tons o stuff type 4 SOLD
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=421432

SGKent · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject:

ddwbeagles · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:03 am Post subject: NC Bus

Depending on how quickly you think it may sell. If you wanted someone to take a look at it with you and can wait a week, I would be happy to drive on down. Charge? Two cups (not the small girlie ones either) of Starbucks coffee for the return trip. I've seen worse go for more, but as all the other posters indicated it all comes down to the 'starting foundation". If it has tons of hidden cancer, then you'd put way more money into it that just buying one in "better condition".

...and the whole magnet test theory. You probably already know this, but I'll bore you just in case. When I bought my Karmann Ghia I did the magnet thing and missed or did not detect a few spots. Embarassed

You HAVE to have a very weak magnet, one that will barely stick to the metal through the paint or if will still "feel like the same adhesion" through thin bondo spots. A magnet with very little "attraction" for lack of a better description will "float" off anything thicker than a very thin skim coat. I know, it sounds so easy, but after the KG lesson, it took me several trips back and forth to the local hardware stores to find one. Even with it, I place a piece of felt between it and the car body. BTW - sellers proably appreciate that as you're not scratching up THEIR car as you slide this up and down the body of their car Very Happy

Just food for thought
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David W - from Chesterfield, VA / Jefferson SD / Stephens City, VA in that order.

71 Ghia Coupe autostick
78 Westy
86 Vanagon Weekender

VDubTech · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:36 am Post subject:

sambrooks09 · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the help guys. I know very little about buses in general other than i want one, i would not be able to do any mechanical work as i dont know jack about stuff like that, i thought i just had to drop a new motor in it and ready to roll, but i know theres more to it than that lol.

Desertbusman · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

If you do want to get a bus sometime, subscribe to Hot VW's magazine, get the Bus Bentley service manual, find some VW people to get together with, go to any VW shows and start learning what it is all about. Then afterwards think about getting a bus.
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71 Superbug
71 Westy

DubKru · Samba Member Joined: July 08, 2007 Posts: 298

They have buses in hot vw's?

No keys or engine? I'd pass. I paid twice that and drove it home and around town. I would pass on that bus.
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2L, Raby cam, HAM Heads, Mallory, Dual Dell 40's, Porsche discs, Fuchs (Colored matched not to my bus),tunin' the crap out of it, slammed on Wagenswest suspension.

Desertbusman · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:36 am Post subject:

Glenn · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:45 am Post subject:

sambrooks09 · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

thanks for the help guys it does make sense to just buy one already running and stuff, since im not mechanically inclined.


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