Highlights
- Genuine Westfalia 4-berth conversion
- Former Californian import
- 12 Month MOT
The Appeal
Ubiquitous as the default option as a camper van, VW has long enjoyed an almost unparalleled reputation as the first stop for those who seek a little adventure in their lives. That artisan vibe and careless character goes hand in hand with VW’s durability and heritage, and it continues to this very day. A dedicated community means that advice, help and parts are never too far away, and of course, there’s that air-cooled engine built for longevity and reliability. Since the Baywindowed Type 2 made its first appearance in 1967, it remained in production for 46 years, such was its global appeal.
This 1976 example spent much of its life in dry and humid California until it was imported into the UK in 2012. It was subject to spruce up by a VW specialist and then taken on by a family, who have kept it ever since. Known as ‘Kermit’, it has seen £4,000 worth of maintenance and servicing over that period. Officially documented as a Westfalia conversion, it has a very solid structure and a well-presented cabin and being a US-spec model, powered by a 70 bhp 2.0-litre fuel-injected engine as part of its standard set-up. It simply needs a little TLC to the exterior cosmetics. The owner has also placed 12 months MOT on the car for good measure.
The History and Paperwork
- Californian import documented as a 1976 Westfalia model
- Imported into the UK in 2012
- Family-owned since then
- Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen certification to confirm its authenticity
- Re-fitted and partial restoration in 2012 by VW Downunder, Volkswagen camper specialists
- Invoices covering brake, electrical, servicing and engine maintenance totalling £4,000
- V5c present
- Road tax, ULEZ and MOT exemption
- MOT to July 2024 despite the exemption
- Comes with most of its previous MOT certificates
- Kept either under cover in a garage or under a breathable fitted cover
- Haynes workshop manual
- Lack of recent use forces sale
The Interior
- The green plaid driver seat is free of wear, passenger seat shows a little more fade and has a rip to its backrest seam
- Footwells have non-slip heavy-duty rubber flooring with no signs of dampness
- The dashboard is intact with no cracks, just a few minor scuffs here and there
- Switches and controls are all said to be in working order, with wear commensurate with its age
- Dials all legible
- Radio/CD player installed with a handful of classic CDs included
- The steering wheel has a number of cracks
- The headlining is generally good with a few marks
- Rear seat belts fitted
- The door card show wear, driver's side card is missing a vent
- Pop-up roof in good shape
- Two to Four-berth
- Rock-and-roll bed free of significant rips or marks
- Original upholstery and curtains for an authentic retro look
- Seat and mattress fabrics and foam are free of significant rips or marks and are said to be super comfy
- Fitted with a heating system and fridge
- 240 V hook-up with 12v electrical sockets
- Sink and hob unit
- Water tank
- Table shows wear
- Cabinets in good shape, with some panels showing their age
- The rear storage area is intact
- Non-slip heavy-duty rubber navy blue lino
- Passenger seat swivels
The Exterior
- The overall structure appears to be positive, with its floor pan, chassis rails, inner wings and front bulkhead all appearing to be intact
- The body displays several cosmetic blemishes in the form of light corrosion and a few dents, but an overall sound base to bring up to scratch
- The panel fit is acceptable, with even door shut lines and with no issues in terms of opening and closing the doors
- Taiga green paintwork is somewhat mismatched in hue, with the nose peppered with minor road chips
- The rear bumper has a minor dent, and both have rust under the peeling paint but are otherwise well mounted
- The skid plate propane tank shows age-related wear but is said to be fully operational
- All of its glass is intact with decent seals
- The chrome is in good shape, with the exception of the driver's side door mirror
- The front indicators are sun-bleached
- Headlamps and tail lights are intact
- US-style side reflectors retained
- Sliding door louvred fly screen has a small cutout
- The pop-up roof operates perfectly with decent seals and is said to be leak free
- The wheel and trims show their age, the missing hub and trim will be replaced
- Tyres are over 10 years old but have legal tread
The Mechanics
- 1971cc fuel injection L-Jetronic 4-cylinder 70bhp engine
- Hydraulic lifters and a single oil relief system
- Starts on the button, but the owner will ensure that it has a new starter motor due to intermittent fault
- Work on its fuel injection system carried out in June 2022
- New shocks, rebuilt driveshafts and two new batteries were installed when it was overhauled in 2012
- Said to drive and stop well with no outstanding issues
- Suspension components appear to be visually intact
- Decent engine ancillaries suggest regular maintenance
- Regularly serviced
- The last documented service was carried out around 2,000 miles ago
- The owner has stated that it has been proven reliable enough to travel across the South of England and Northern France
Summary
This well-loved van is very much part of the owner's family, and while they’re sad to let ‘Kermit’ go, they understand that it needs to be used and it has more adventures to experience. Thanks to its former-California living, and its careful regime of maintenance in the UK, it is a delightful example of a ready-to-use Westfalia if you don’t mind the less-than-perfect exterior cosmetics. It's worth the effort to get up to scratch but either way you’ll have a cool old bus to enjoy the summer with.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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