What would you do?

[notchboy]

I have thought on sell them both, let fate decide on the one that sells first.

I don't camp hardly ever. I won't drive more than up to LA from San Diego. I think Im in this place because Ive been driving the 77 for 10 years, Ive only recently been driving the 74.

Here is the kicker on the 74. Its build date is the same birthdate as my soon to be wife. Exact.

If Im seemingly leaning to the 74, well you are right. Not for its zippy personality, because the n notch will run circles around it.

I don't know. Tough call. That 77 is just stacked. Really stacked at this point.

Back to thinking.
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[livingskies]

If you can afford to keep both and if you have space to keep both, keep both. Otherwise you may find yourself with regrets down the road. It doesn't sound as if your VW habit is out of control - three VWs isn't too many, IMO. I'm at that number too, and still would like to pick up a split window bus again and a later water cooled bus. (Please don't tell my wife.)

[SGKent]

is this about money?
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[alman72]

i sold a toy to a guy at work, with the only caveat that if he ever needed to sell it, i would be 1st in line to buy it back for what i sold it for. I know that means little besides a gentelman agreement....

[ImAddicted]

Sell the 74, keep the 77.
Reasons? Just what my gut says. The both are awesome, and if I'm being honest, on aesthetics, I think the 74 is better looking, yet for functionality the 77 has it in spades. I'm all about using them so the 77 wins.
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1979 Transporter (sold)
KC1MUR

[nebe]

I’d part with the ‘74. If you are building a notch, you will have another lightweight fun to drive vehicle. That ‘77 looks amazing.


Like Skills, I sold my bus to start a business and it was like selling a child. It took me 15 years to get another one on the road. I had to do it but looking back I never would have .. instead I would have figured out another option. Once you sell it, it’s GONE. THINK HARD.

[notchboy]

This is all good advice guys.

The regret game. I've already owned some amazing VW's. Enjoyed them and moved them on. I won't regret the sale. More like look forward to the next purchase.

Money. Yes and no. I don't need it, but as we all know it sure helps. I usually have little regret because I know most of my $ value will return. Taking out my labor, I'm always ahead. Freeing up a large chunk of cash would be nice.

Space. I sure don't have what I used too - but this again is a choice I've made. Growing up in Poway, we had a half-acre yard. When I started to get into Type 3's I had no less than 4 to 5 in the yard and as many as 40 to 50 pass through my hands between the ages of 17 to 25. I had lots of parts, plenty of projects and started to look like Sanford & Sons. My tastes have refined for sure. Even in my 20's, it was about quality over quantity. I now have a two-car space I built to simplify things.

I've been driving the 74 this week to the beach, daily. Today we are going to Mission Beach for a bike ride. Just using it for transportation, not hanging out in it. I've enjoyed the drive for sure. By week's end, Ill device, I hope.
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[Jim Bear]

I would be torn as well, especially with the builds you have accomplished on both. As I get older, hittin' 50 in a month and my body not being as "bendie" as it used to be the pope top sure would be nice. I want to get back into camping with the missus as well and being able to stand up inside would be awesome. That being said I have a white '74 hardtop Westy too, all OG and in very good shape and that is likely what I am stuck with.
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"You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus." ~kk
'85 Vanagon Westy - George In the Stable 2020-?/'74 Weekender - Ophelia In the Stable 2007- ?/'69 Beetle Convertible - SOLD 2017-2020/'67 Beetle - September SOLD 2013-2016 /'67 SO42 Westy - Sage SOLD 1996-2001 /'69 Transporter - Baby Blue SOLD 1995-1995/'72 Westy - Nelly - SOLD 1990-1995--STOP FRACKING

[Clatter]

Maybe think more about how you would use the thing as you get *cough* older..

I was first all about the poptop because i was new.
Then all about the poptop because i was camping with two kids.
Now,
I'm totally over the poptop thing.
When it's just me and mom and the dog, i might even get a different bus.

Same with the stick trans.
It was all a part of the experience,
But now,
Stuck in traffic all day,
An auto would be so nice.

Plus, my tastes have been going more and more towards stock.
A tame stock motor is nice to have sitting in traffic.
How often do you end up out on the open road to let it really sing?

The 72-75 era campers are going to be super treasured in the end if original.
VERY few original examples will survive intact.
'76-'79 are rather common by comparison.

So,
I'm thinking it's pretty obvious how my vote goes...
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Bus Motor Build

What’s That Noise?!?

[71whitewesty]

I'm not going to be much help in deciding but I would sure like to buy either one of those buses. Actually I'd like to buy both because I think they compliment each other well. I would have a real hard time deciding between the two though.
I've been watching both the builds and have been real impressed with the detail and quality of workmanship. Someone's going to get a real nice bus whether it's white or orange.
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71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer"

[WildIdea]

They’re both so sweet. Your a victim of too many good options.

I will add that the Westy blue plaid and white are my favorite color combo of all time. Love, love love that combo! But, I’ve owned a white bus before and it’s not friendly on the road dirt, oil and grease that buses seem to attract so easily as well as rust pits are visually magnified on it. It’s a whole new level of care to keep a white bus pristine, IMO.

You should be proud of what you’ve built, your great at this hobby. I hope you make someone’s day that can care and respect them the way you have and get to fixing another one as well as you do.
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1977 Sage Green Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=691987
1965 SWR Walk-Through Standard
1960 211 Panel American Camper Conversion

[Jetfxr69]

Move to New Hampshire and buy some land in the mountains and start tripping over them. Oh, wait, thats someone else.
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You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa

‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson

[Abscate]

Another angle, not for the risk adverse.

I’ve long termed loaned cars to friends so that they get used and I don’t have to store / pay fixed costs.

Think of it as a temp sale with a concrete buy back option, accept the statistics of accidents and wear and tear, mitigate by choice of friend.

God knows there are enough people who need wheels.

I’ve loaned my T4 to a friend with three wonderful girls , going through a nasty divorce, for trips to ADK. Makes me warm inside knowing the T4 is making some kids happy

Find that family friend who is coming of a lease , blew a transmission on their Kia, needs wheels and let your car service someone else for a few years.

Lend to Robbie so he can camp in comfort.

Drive it to NH and go visit Jeff in summers.
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.ssS!

[notchboy]

[Xevin]

Good. Now go out and camp this summer before you dive into the Notchback project.
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Keep on Busin'

[jtauxe]

Damn, that's a tough call. I would think it would come down to which will serve you better. Do you want to camp, or do you want something more of a utility vehicle that will haul stuff?

[SGKent]

[Globespotter]

I want that 74
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1977 Westfalia - October 2015 - Current
1971 Super Beetle - May 2012 - Current
1979 Westfalia - 1986-1991
1971 Super Beetle - 1977-1980

1971 SB Survivor Story: https://globespotter.com/
Road Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511800&highlight=
My 77 Westy Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647114&highlight=

http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN&id=30990
https://vw-type2-id.xyz/mplate/72067382

[MorkC68]

What a decision to make.

You have got two superb buses, the white one especially and that looks absolutely amazing in finish and the detail.

Your decision has been made, only you know whether its right or not.

You still have the 77 which looks great in itself!

We have the 73 kombi and the 77 Westfalia ourselves, which I am doing my best to keep original. I know which one will be THE keeper for us. The westy by far as its got original interior, 90% of its service history, currently the original motor from new and I dont bang my head when I stand up in it
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Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/