Newbie

[benry]

I THINK I am about to buy a 1973 VW Campervan. Has been completely restored. 6000K and driver ready. It has been in storage during winter months.
This needs to be pretty much idiot proof for me. I will be travelling with my 3 kids 5,9,11. It will be our everyday vehicle. I like/love the idea....I am waffling with the practicality of it...but I don't want to miss the boat on creating this experience for myself and my kids. Any suggestions before I write the cheque?

Thanks

[Danwvw]

A lot of people are getting into these old VW's these days and the bus is a lot of fun and offers the reward of overcoming obstacles and defiantly will test your luck and If you have a couple of your planets in the right house and so do the kids it's going to be great!

Oh by the way!
If your bus has that little narrow hammock up-top. In the pop up. Consider this for whom ever gets the assignment of trying to spend the night up there. It's like sleeping out-side and on top of a bus where when anyone moves down below you get rocked around quite a little. Not the experience for every kid.
Perhaps a good attached ground tent would be the way to go. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i12.pho...CDoQrQMwCA
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[benry]

Thank you. Luck and planets???? Yikes.
I really appreciate the feedback. It does have a hammock....sounds like it will be me up there.

[pioneer1]

buy it for holiday/weekend get aways & adventures in the warmer months. This is not a daily driver for year round use where we live (poor heat,no defroster,rust belt....) and you won't fit in the upper hammock if you are taller than 5',weigh more than 150lbs.
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"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

[shiningstar76]

It only took 2 winters in IL and NH for my old 68 bus from california to start rusting. Yeah, and no heat sucks. You might be ok with it, but good luck with the wife.
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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.

[Danwvw]

I like the campers in a VW Bus definitely the way to go over a passenger bus. Works out well so long as there is not much un-stored gear. Try to limit every one except the wife to just 1 bag and store the rest into the cabinets.
These 1973's have a 1700 type 4 VW engine in them which at the time was boast to be a Porsche Engine because, Porsche was also using a similar engine in their 914 and 912's. Some claim the VW type 4 are the best air cooled engine VW ever put in their cars. These engines are to be found everywhere used and somewhat destroyed. Back when they were New we drove these busses with these engines without a second thought and never had any trouble, But now with the condition they are in these days what you find is they really need some expensive expert work done to be like they were when new. I think the Type 4 engine has yet to come of it's Own like the type 1 in the 1971 and earlier buses has. The parts for the type 1 are less expensive and their are a lot of good quality aftermarket modifications for them. But a Type 4 engine when "right" is going to last longer and be more dependable than the earlier type 1. By 1976 the type 4 engine had evolved to a much more powerful 2.0 Liter engine to which you can upgrade. The 1978's even had hydraulic lifters eliminating the need to adjust the valves all the time.
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[WI sportmobile]

I take it this is not a Westy. If this is meant to be a seasonal camper make sure you have a place to store it indoors durring the off season with room to make repairs so you can use it when weather permits. Plan your major repairs when the snow flies so it is ready when the sun shines.
_________________
73 VW T2 Sportsmobile T4 1800 dual webber ICT's
06 TOY Tacoma TRD

Don't mess with the DNR.
"Bargain hunter becomes the bargain hunted."

[eche_bus]

I'm sorry to have to say this, but you're going to learn a powerful lesson if you buy that and can't do your own work. Unless the seller is taking a major loss, this isn't a "totally restored" camper for $6K. It simply can't be done for that kind of money. You'll be buying a vehicle in driveable, not restored condition with any number of near-term mechanical issues. If you're prepared to learn to work on it yourself, you'll do ok, or pay someone else and your 6K will quickly turn into 8K, 10K ...

In any case, be sure to go over the body with a magnet to find filler and have a mechanic that knows old VWs inspect it before you sign anything. Make sure to have a compression/leakdown test on the engine despite the sellers claims that it's been rebuilt. There's a LOT of total clapped-out junk out there being pawned off on unsuspecting buyers. These things rust BAD and seem to attract patch-up "fixes" rather than actual repairs. Don't trust odometer readings without proof. The guy taking your money has plenty of motive to deceive.

The right buy is pleasure. The wrong one will punish.

[CoastalAirCooledVW]

[benry]

A couple things....I AM the wife minus the husband. I will fit the hammock easily and can do the work. Looks like I should keep my other car in storage tho. Thanks for the tips. More welcome. I will try to keep myself to one bag.

[benry]

Oh and 6000 Kms on the engine. 14 k to buy. Done by a certified mechanic. Sorry for the misunderstanding

[Wasted youth]

You definitely came to the right place. There are a lot of good, knowledgeable people here, and compassionate to the cause...sometimes to a fault with a militant point of view.

Anyway, eche_bus has really solid, if maybe disheartening advice. Take it.

I was away from these things for about 15 years, and coming back into it this past summer has been quite a reality check as far as cost and parts availability. I look in the mirror and see that I am aging, but when I look out on my busses, I am thinking like I am twenty three years old, and can get decent parts for cheap anywhere. It's a weird, skewed dilemma. I actually had to order and wait a week for brake line hoses. I just can't get used to it.

$12-15,000 is typical of what beautiful, solid busses and nicely redone Westys seem to be commanding on EBay this week.

Use the Samba search engine for help. One good thread topic that might help you is the Today in Bay Window hunting history...it's a 'sticky' thread, too. There is usually someone boasting about a "barn find", with the ususal assortment of critics loudly pointing out its faults, its promise, and heavily seasoned with off-hand, irrelevant commentary with a hint of jealousy.

Regardless, it's a neat thread to find where all the problems and hidden treasures lie with these beasts, as people point them out and discuss the merits of the most recent bus find.

Welcome!

[CoastalAirCooledVW]

[SteelersBus]

This is just my opinion. Comin from a guy from the rust belt of western PA.

One of the Bays I own now, I had restored and painted 10 yrs ago. Not show quality but a nice job. I had to use that Bus as a daily driver for three years. By the end of the second year(4th yr into resto) the Bus was quickly showin signs of the PA saltways. Ten years after my first resto, I am shellin out $$ for a second resto. This one more thorough.

What I am gettin to is....as cool and awesome as it feels to drive a Bus every day, it just isn't a smart choice for your Bus and wallet. If you live in a dry climate area, different story. But Canada = snow in most cases.

As mentioned above, a compression test will tell alot about a engine...no matter how pretty it is. Back in my newbie days, I had a nice shiny engine too. But I didn't know it was a GEX boat anchor until just 7,000 into this "new" engine, I was needin a rebuild.

I am guessin since you came here, you do not know anyone locally who has Bus experience? I often get calls askin me to go look a Bus over. It helps to have some one who's been around them enough to look the Bus over and take it for a drive. Lemme be the second guy to say....unless you know the seller personally...don't ever believe the old "great runnin" ads! Cause unfortunately, most run like crap!

Not tryin to talk you down. Just keepin it real.

I suggest if you get a Bus...make sure you have another vehicle to drive in winter months and while the Bus gets repaired should it arise.

I say....either find some one local enough to look it over for you. OR go with a camera. One that takes video. Record the Bus startin up and idling. Open the engine hatch so we can get a good listen and look. Rev the engine a few times. Once holdin it at roughly 2000RPMs for at least 5-10 seconds. If there are any leaks in the exhaust, you will hear a few pops.
Take LOTS of engine pictures. Pics of under the Bus and inside.
THEN, inform the guy that you are part of a website that has 1000s of Bus owners world wide. That you just wanna get your friends' advice and opinions. Say it as non confrontational and nice as you can.

His reaction to the video, pics and mention of fellow Bus owners will say alot on how he feels on backin his sale.
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Granny Grose's Buses 19
May 30 - June 2, 2024
Millmont, PA
https://www.facebook.com/groups/333391253346965/

70 Campmobile, 70 Sedan, 71 SO-69 Westy, & 74 Westy

[noneed]

[giller]

Since you have three kids (I have an 11-year old) you need to make sure you are comfortable with the seatbelt situation. Probably just lap belts in the back - two for the bench seat and one for the jump seat.

Some people get nervous about not having full shoulder belts, especially dealing with kids.

[Bleyseng]

[benry]

Good morning!!! This is fantastic! Thank you for all this info. Might just be that my pockets are not quite deep enough to fulfill the dream. The bus is in another province. I do have someone going to take pictures.
I will take all of these notes to the owner and keep you posted.

[crownline]

If by chance after checking all the things listed and you decide not to buy the bus. Do Not give up looking. We need your 3 kids to fall in love with the Bus adventure which they will in about 5 min. after getting in a bus. I have a 13 year old who is going to keep the dream alive and is saving up for a Bus for his first car.
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1972 Bus 1700 cc Single Carb. But not a progressive.
Barelymuvin
Wish I still had the ones I got rid of.

"It"s got some dings and dents and neither of us is going to SEMA."(Update, I went to SEMA in 2019 but the Bus stayed home)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-8446.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Bala]