When I picture the ideal VW bus I’d most enjoy driving, it’s likely to be one of the older examples that first comes to mind.  You know, one of the more rounded types that might have colorful, smiling daisies hand-painted on the sides, and perhaps is remembered for the time it transported a higher number of people to the Woodstock Festival than it was designed to hold.  However, the T-Series finally received a substantial redesign for its third generation of production in 1979 that became known as the T3, such as this 1982 Volkswagen Vanagon L here on Facebook Marketplace.  This one’s reported as super solid, plus it also features a desirable 4-speed manual transmission.  With an asking price of $7,900, this VW is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and we’d like to thank reader rmward for finding it and sending us the tip!

While the more squared-off body might have lost a bit of its cool factor for the flower child generation, it was still a fine offering for those who wanted a practical vehicle with plenty of room inside.  This one doesn’t really have any psychedelic vibes on the outside, but the seller points out that the exterior features a great color combination, which I believe is called Ivory Over Bright Orange.  There’s no word on whether this is the original paint, but regardless, the finish still presents nicely overall, and I’m not spotting any noticeable evidence of corrosion on the sheet metal panels.

1982 brought forth the short-lived water-cooled diesel option for the Vanagon, but this one’s got the standard gas-powered 2.0-liter air-cooled engine, which the owner says has new injectors.  It’s also stated to have recently received fresh spark plugs, an air filter, and a new distributor.  The manual transmission should be shifting well, as a new clutch and a throwout bearing have also been installed.  With around 70 HP, this might not be the fastest way to get a crowd to and from their destinations, but the seller reports that it runs and drives smoothly.

The interior isn’t quite perfect, but it still looks pretty good overall and appears to have been reasonably well cared for over the years.  The sliding door on the passenger side makes entry a breeze for the rear occupants, plus provides an easy loading point if it’s cargo you’re hauling instead.  If this is the era VW van your heart is set on, this one seems like a decent choice overall, plus the seller also mentions the possibility of trading it for an older F-Series Ford Truck, if you happen to have a spare pickup you’re not using.  Any thoughts to share regarding this 1982 VW Vanagon?