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torbot
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2010
Posts: 121
Location: Michigan
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 Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 11:56 am Post subject: Long time lurker, first time OWNER! |
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Sorry for the novel, but this has been a long time coming and my wife and I are really excited! The Samba has been a great resource for me in researching these over the years, and I know people here will appreciate our "find".
After nigh-on three years of waiting, my wife and I finally found our Westy (or rather, it found us!). We're now the proud owners of a 1982 powder blue air-cooledWestfalia - with only 78,000 miles on it!
As these things happen, we weren't planning to buy one for a couple of months, and I hadn't really been looking at air-cooled's at all, but a buddy of mine happened to mention some old friends of his were *thinking* of selling their Westfalia since they just didn't camp anymore, so we agreed to go see it. The van had been sitting for about 4 months so the battery was dead, the paint faded and the pop top *very* grimy (we're talking almost black!) - I was immediately apprehensive. All that changed when he opened the door to reveal what looked like brand new carpet, clean (and plush!) upholstery, and a spotless, working kitchen. He went on to explain they'd just put on new tires (less than 2000 miles ago), as well as a new muffler and catalytic converter. On top of this, he was offering it for FAR less then our $6500 budget.
He said he'd get the battery charged and we arranged for a test drive, which showed a smooth, strong engine (relatively speaking of course - it is an air-cooled...) and it actually climbed hills pretty well! It took us about a day to mull it over (I didn't know anything about air-cooled Westys and had always heard they should be avoided), but finally decided it was just too good a deal to pass up, and we'd already more or less fell in love with it. There also seemed to be a bit too much "fate" happening to pass it up.
We arranged to pick it up, which is where things got even better! He'd found BOTH tables in his garage and installed them for us. On the floor inside the van were 3 chrome disks that go around the existing round chrome hubcaps for that über vintage look (will have to find a 4th one...). In the rear cabinet were ALL the privacy curtains (including the one for the windshield) - and even the rear hatch screen!  Under these was a Haynes manual (so now I just need to Bentley!), and the original electrical chord for connecting to shore power. The van basically has everything!
As we were getting ready to go, he said "Oh! do you guys want this too?" and pulled out a dirty but serviceable Trans Awn 2000! Our jaws dropped. 
Of course, there are some negative things. That crappy headliner contact paper material is peeling off everywhere, The driver's seat will need replacing, and there's mold on the inside of the pop-top. The paint is pretty faded, the fiberglass is really scummy (It's Seattle, after all) and there is some seam rust alongside the kitchen area and on one wheel well, but the rest of the body is *incredibly* straight, with nary a dent anywhere.
It goes, it stops, it camps, and has everything we'll need, which is all we really wanted in our starter van. We're taking it up to Leavenworth this weekend for it's maiden voyage (joined by a buddy with a truck - which may come in handy, just in case...) and couldn't be more excited!
So here he is, in his pre-cleaned glory. We've named him "Dave".
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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TequilaSunSet
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2012
Posts: 2109
Location: Philippines
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome and congrats... share your upcoming adventures, tweaks, fixes etc...
_________________
Don't harsh my mellow...
1985 Hightower Vanagon 1.8T- Gone
1972 Panel Bus- Gone
1967 Bug- Gone
1964 Euro Sunroof Bug- Gone
1969/72/63 Sunroof Bug- Gone
1975 Brazilian Bug in the Philippines 🇵🇭- New to me |
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torbot
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2010
Posts: 121
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks DJ, Tquilla. Good to finally be here!
| djkeev wrote: |
| You do realize that many more photos are required of this unit? |
Of course!
We spent a few hours *late* last night at a car wash with some Simple Green and a scrub brush on the sides (no ladder to get to the top - I like your idea of removing it) and the whole thing looks much better. Couldn't believe how much black water came off during the first few rinses. First "coat" of bleach was sprayed this morning, so we'll see how that goes.
We plan to take many, many more photos and I'll be sure to post them.
Oh, and another bonus just discovered. Apparently we have an "auxiliary heater". Not sure if/how it works, but is sounds cool. |
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wes.outside
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2008
Posts: 121
Location: Cody, WY
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent. Congrats!
_________________
'73 Thing
'86 Vanagon Syncro with Westfalia Poptop  |
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panzer
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2008
Posts: 45
Location: San Antonio, TX.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:32 pm Post subject: welcome |
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| Welcome to the fold. As my good friends' departed father used to say: "misery loves company". I wish my '81 Westy looked that good. It has 3X the mileage and has been flogged on a regular basis. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine. |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats on your new addiction... er addition! 
_________________
~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 |
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debbiej
Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Congratulations! Looks really nice! |
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desertrefugee
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2013
Posts: 476
Location: Phoenix, AZ. USA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats on a nice camper and a great deal. When I was looking for my Westy, I considered a nice air cooled '82 here locally. I only kept looking because this is not the best locale for an air cooled Vanagon.
Again, nice deal. It's good to see patience rewarded.
Now, on with the show - and the pictures!
🚐
📷
_________________
- 83.5 Westfalia - 2.2 GoWesty "power"
- a bunch of vintage motorcycles
- Numerous telescopes of various size and function
"For I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams |
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torbot
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2010
Posts: 121
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| desertrefugee wrote: |
| When I was looking for my Westy, I considered a nice air cooled '82 here locally. I only kept looking because this is not the best locale for an air cooled Vanagon. |
Ironically, this van started life in New Mexico (which is obvious from all the heat-wrinkled contact paper) but yes, the climate here is a bit more conducive to Air-cooled! That said, I'm still a bit nervous about the climb into the mountains tomorrow - it's supposed to be fairly hot, but I'll just take 'er slow.
My wife is out decorating now, and I just picked up new hardware for the awning. I'll post some more glamour shots once we're in the campground. |
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whynotvw
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004
Posts: 1322
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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| welcome and congrats. |
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malibu
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Horse Heaven, WA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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I like the half attached awning brackets. Hit those chrome caps with the chrome polish! Congrats!
_________________
85 westy weekender - 2.5 suby
85 full westy - 2.2 suby - Sold |
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desertrefugee
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2013
Posts: 476
Location: Phoenix, AZ. USA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Re: "Heat-wrinkled contact paper"
I'm not convinced heat is completely to blame for these issues. To wit: my Westy spent the first four years of its life in Montana, after which is has been an Arizona resident - and endured many hot summers. Knock wood, but the interior of my van is smooth as a baby's bottom (no wrinkled contact paper).
In any event, the stuff is pretty easy to replace as needed.
_________________
- 83.5 Westfalia - 2.2 GoWesty "power"
- a bunch of vintage motorcycles
- Numerous telescopes of various size and function
"For I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams |
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Jake de Villiers
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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shadetreetim
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1994
Location: Riverside, California
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like that Westy found a good home. Congratulations. Enjoy the ride.
_________________
Tim Potts
Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!
'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5 |
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b00t
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2011
Posts: 157
Location: Asheville, NC
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:06 am Post subject: |
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| Congratulations, excellent find and great story. I love that you bought it and are going camping asap! Post the inaugural pictures with pride my friend, welcome to the club! |
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VWinVT
Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2013
Posts: 1541
Location: North East Kingdom
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:17 am Post subject: |
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| Congrats! We just got our first Westy too! It's an 81 Aircooled. We live in northern VT and the climate is perfect for an aircooled....slow and steady wins the race! |
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RCB
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005
Posts: 4143
Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Congratulations to you. Nice to hear of another air cooled on the road. Most important....congratulations to you for investigating; PRIOR to making a purchase.
During your "researching" you've probably come across the subject of fuel line replacement and the engine to body seal and the various options of motor oils available. Read as much as you can on these subjects....air cooled Westys are a different brand of beast.
Many parts for the air cooler's are becoming difficult to locate but vendors like Bus Depot and Go Westy and Autohaus AZ are still valuable resources.
If your a wrencher; more power to ya...if not; locate a Vanagon savvy mechanic and treat them well. Safe travels to you and yours and welcome aboard. |
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zippyslug31
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 799
Location: Central Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:13 am Post subject: |
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Congrats! You're gonna love 'Dave'.
BTW, nice photography/post-edit work on the image of you and Dave.... or somebody got "lucky" on that shot.
_________________
previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor. |
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torbot
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2010
Posts: 121
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:05 am Post subject: |
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| zippyslug31 wrote: |
| BTW, nice photography/post-edit work on the image of you and Dave.... or somebody got "lucky" on that shot. |
My wife's the photographer, and it was actually just her iPhone with some cleverly applied filters. We felt the moment warranted a vintage look. 
Thanks for all the well-wishes, welcome and advice - it's why I love this board! I did my first "fix" after reading a bunch of info re: air-cooled, esp. about the importance of having the engine compartment sealed. I checked this morning, and the main seal looks to be in good condition, I reseated the spark plug seals (flimsy little guys) and everything else looked OK, until I checked the license plate door. No foam left at all! Saw a post last night where someone used window foam around the edges, so I went ahead and did that:
Before
After
Warrants a cleaner fix eventually, but hopefully it will be good enough for our trip into the Cascades this afternoon. Speaking of which - any advice on mountain-pass driving in an air-cooled Westy? I have to admit, I'm a bit apprehensive about the trip. With no tach, no temp gauge and my unfamiliarity with the engine sound, I feel like I'm flying blind. Any advice on what kinds of sounds/smells to look for, speed/gear combination, etc? I plan to take it REAL easy, but it'd be great to hear any advice.
_________________
'82 Westy w/2012 Subaru EJ25 (AKA "Dave"). |
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