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MaddMatt
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 6:40 am    Post subject: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

Does anyone have a list of all the companies that offered VW camper van conversions in the 1970's?

We had a 1979 sunroof bus with some really unique interior. Trying to identify it. The biggest thing that stands out is that all the cabinets have bent wood edges, not a hard corner. Just veneer wrapped over the 90 degree corners. It has a round sink, icebox, rock and roll bed similar to a Dodge camper, and it's got shag carpet throughout. Anyone recognize this interior?

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KentABQ Premium Member
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 7:13 am    Post subject: Re: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

There is a book titled "VW Camper - The Inside Story" that has most of the major and smaller camper conversions from the 1950s thru 2000's. Many excellent pictures included.

Is there a plaque pop riveted to the bottom of the B- pillar?
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busdaddy
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 8:05 am    Post subject: Re: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

There was a good assortment here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=288111&highlight=campers+tree
Sadly it now reinforces the need to use the Samba gallery to host the pics.
Still worth a look.
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mikedjames
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 5:37 am    Post subject: Re: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

I do have a book with info collected in the UK - isbn 978 0 85733 219 6
Volkswagen Camper Six decades of Success by Richard Copping..

Mostly Westfalia and UK converters literature described and reproduced.

It tries to summarise the USA conversions as well where literature was produced.
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MaddMatt
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 2:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

The feature that is most unique to this camper is the curved vertical corners on the cabinets. It was not common, so if I can find an interior that used that type of fabrication it would tell me a lot.
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SGKent Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 5:48 pm    Post subject: Re: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

MadMatt - your photos match a posting on several sites from Tucson from March this year where someone was trying to sell what appears to be that one. Went under the name of @bustrekkin and baywindowmafia, aka https://www.facebook.com/Baywindowmafia/ That seller listed it as a Rivera. If you are the seller, it was listed as a Rivera, and if you are not the seller then it sounds like it may still be in your backyard. Good luck. Isn't Google Lens amazing. All from just taking an image of the pulls on the upper cabinet.
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andrewtf
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 5:47 am    Post subject: Re: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

I think it is a bastardized Riviera.
The split back seat, finish of the cabinets, and yes - the rounded corners lead me to that conclusion.

Also - the metal shelf bracket below the sink is a Riviera trait.

Its modified a bunch - but I'm confident that the ghost of the Riviera is under there.
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airschooled
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:40 am    Post subject: Re: Camper Van Companies Reply with quote

andrewtf wrote:
I think it is a bastardized Riviera.
The split back seat, finish of the cabinets, and yes - the rounded corners lead me to that conclusion.

Also - the metal shelf bracket below the sink is a Riviera trait.

Its modified a bunch - but I'm confident that the ghost of the Riviera is under there.


Agreed. The split rear bed is the giveaway, and probably the coolest thing Rivi did that era.

Robbie
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