2700 original mile 1971 Westfalia discovered!

[busdaddy]

Is there any evidence that a clear sticker was affixed to the lower rear corner of the LH rear window at one time?
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[Tram]

[cool karmann collected]

[Hikelite]

Normally I'm in the camp that believes Buses should be used, but this bus is special.

I'm firmly in the don't drive it camp. Sorry, that IS a museum piece. I'd clean it extensively and then focus entirely on preservation.

That is likely the most original 71 Westy in existence.

BTW, based on how you're handling all this, I think you're worthy of the bus. You will do the right thing for you and the bus.

Such an amazing find. My problem with owning that is I would want to use it, but would know I shouldn't.

I'd wish you good luck, but when you bought this bus, you might have cashed in the luck for the rest of your life.
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~Kevin

My 1968 Campmobile

[sodbuster]

Read this and take heed! It is only original once! Do only what is required to make it nice again. As in soap water and elbow grease. beyond that do only what is necessary to bring it back mechanically. if there are leaks do only what you need to stop them. I would not tear down the motor to re seal it if it is not needed. Remember that the entire drive train has never been apart since the factory put it together.

Think about that last statement and mull it over hard. Heck I'll even repeat it. " Remember that the entire drive train has never been apart since the factory put it together." In fact that could probably be said for 99% of the entire bus! it's a great adventure you are about to embark upon. Good luck. No the best of luck.

[Malokin Martin]

That thing is a monster.

If you’re considering selling to a private collection, don’t paint/“rebuild”/fix anything. Leave it alone.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[SGKent]

[visibleink]

Can you post about 1000 photos of EVERYTHING?
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Been on the samba so long I remember petting that dog to see VWs, WYHI, and green bug girl.

<-- Helga, she slammed her dub in '53 and adjusted valves with her teeth

[RONIN10]

Waiting for more pictures and watching with delight.

Perhaps a sin to some, but I'd run it. That's fulfilling it's purpose in my book.
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Andrew

Oscar: 1976 Westfalia Deluxe Camper, 2.0L FI, Manual Transaxle

[VWsArent4Hippies]

[richparker]

This is a very nice bus. But, I can’t be the only one who thinks this 2700 miles is suspect. The body seems to have a lot of dings and scratches, the bumpers are in poor shape for being stored, athough the OP doesn’t state if it was stored indoors. What’s up with the rear overriders, are those from a beetle? It’s missing the rubber trim on the luggage rack and the oil bath air cleaner. Rip in the curtains and a hole in the canvas. Are those steel belted tires? Hard to tell but they look newer. How do the ball joints and the the interior look?

Again, this is a very very nice bus and the OP scored. Just seems too good to be true.
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[alman72]

amazing. just....damn!
and don't let the folks harsh on the bumper guards yet. They were a vw accessory. check your paperwork and see if they were added at purchase.

[busdaddy]

[Abscate]

It’s a car, not a museum piece.

Enjoy it on the road where it belongs.

Angled fuel pump? Is that 1971?
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.ssS!

[busdaddy]

[Manfred58sc]

I agree NOS brake parts can be "shelf worn" . Since the Bus probably wont see much action NOS could be ok and keep the originality. At least they were not soaking in brake fluid for 50 years. I've torn apart NOS master cylinders that are still fine after decades of shelf time, wheel cylinder rebuild parts also ok in my experience. The brake lines would make me the most nervous due to the composite construction and probable chemical interaction/breakdown.

No doubt reaching an insurance value would require documented provenance and market analysis. The iconic desirability of these machines would be easy to prove, and ( as Skills says) if the owner is willing to pay....an insurance company will provide the policy.

More pictures please!
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Fat chick owner/operator

[TomWesty]

I’d drive it. Just seems a shame not to.
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If you haven't bled on them, you haven't worked on them.
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[curtp07]

Sweet bus..

Maybe some sucker would pay big bucks for an “original” undocumented low miles bay, but from what I see I don’t believe these bays are collectible at all....I almost would say their values have peaked and it’s going down from here.

But more power to you if it can be hyped up. Maybe original documentation would be of value?

Interesting find, keep the pics coming.
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Subaru

[shelbylynn]

Howdy!!! I'm the other Cole who found the bus 😂 Here are some quick interior pictures I snapped of it before we brought it home. It's cleaning up super nice! And it sat in a packed garage in Florida humidity for 40+ years so that's why she's a bit crusty and dinged. Also someone did a terrible wax job so a lot of the things that look like scratches are actually wax :/