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?
After owning a ’55, a ’77, and an ’84 I can easily say the ’84 was the best built by a big margin over the other series. The water cooled engines introduced in ’84 was the frosting on the cake. This air cooled van is a good touring unit and will cruise at 70 mph all day long. What it won’t do is pull a trailer with a race car on it 80 mph.
Great picture! bobhess. It looks as though you are an aircooled freak! (As if we didn’t know that already!) At Road America one time. There was a Formula Ford driver that was upset over his finnish and hit his trailer a little fast. And you gessed it, the race car ended up parked in the back of his Ford van.
Funny how these things have been around since the 50s the Caravan but Chrysler gets the credit for the minivan
Looks like a good clean, unmolested tin roof. I don’t like that big gap in the air cooling seal: let’s show a little love and replace that whole seal. At least get some foam pipe insulation and seal that gap until the new seal arrives.
I’m finally getting ready to take my air cooled ’83 Westy (aka “The Vanaguana”) up to Alaska next summer, dedicating the trip to the late Bob Hoover, whose Inuvik Run inspired me all those years ago. Gonna swim in the Arctic! I’ll be 73 years old, making the van look like a spring chicken at only 43! I’ve been going through all the systems, doing an IRAN (Inspect and Repair as Necessary).
If you’re tempted to grab this one, JDI (Just Do It) and start carving out some adventures. VW vans are like that. Just make sure to put some properly rated tires on it….and read Bob Hoover’s Sermons….all about VW Vans, self-reliance, and character.
Good on ya Mr K, that’ll be a great trip, I hope you’re going to take the Alaska Highway! I’ve driven to the Yukon on that route and it is absolutely spectacular and I’d highly recommend it… I’ve been to Inuvik too but flew there but I also know that if you’re going to drive there, the Dempster Highway famously eats tires so bring a few spares, the more the better! You’ll be driving through my neck of the woods in British Columbia so enjoy, it’s quite beautiful up this way!
this model entered the main stream a bit more. bob & K have the right ideas (westph models) I’d even say mine (“give me ur $, all ur $”) might B the one a step above (forgot name) the Steyr-Daimler-Puch developed one (T3 or Synchro), not just AWD but separate x-fer case… ‘Bokerwogon” or “Kamperwegun” or some such… sorta like the wolwo C303, or Pinzgauer vans.
A disgruntled deputy in a nearby town one hot summer day was driving one of the new 1983 Volare patrol cars that some “real genius” admin lieutenant (his words) had bought as a gas saver when a local Air Force base rejected them as inadequate-225 ci slant 6 power plant with A/T, A/C, P/S, P/B..
He later told my friends and me, in disgust, about a new VW van passing him as they were going up a mountain highway; he’d just momentarily beforehand turned off the overhead lights and siren as he said it put so much drag on the oversized alternator it slowed the car 2-4 mph on the hill..
Whether or not that’s totally factual, the county began to phase these out that fall.
These water cooled VW’s were a big improvement over the previous versions as we know and this is one deal any van fan ought to jump on.
You know it’s time to rethink your choice of police car…………
When a VW Bus passes you going up a hill.
That was funny Nevadahalfrack, and truth be told……I could absolutely see that happening.
Had an ’85 Wasserboxer version. Like driving a living room with a picture window. 70mph no problem. still miss it.
Thanks Mike! Looking forward to seeing your beautiful country. And I’m getting some tough tires….I hope.
We had a 78, 85, and 95 Camper Vans, the 85 was the best, put a lot of $$$ into the 95 Eurovan Camper in repairs.
Feel free to hate on me but I’ve always seen the T3 as the ideal EV conversion candidate.
I wouldn’t normally comment here since I don’t own one and likely never will, but I helped a friend buy a “bargain” water-cooled Vanagon online. Some of you have mentioned them while singing the praises of this air-cooled one. The early “Wasserboxers” suffered from a design defect where the head gaskets/water jackets leaked if the coolant wasn’t changed regularly, due to corrosion. We thought that its water leak would be a minor fix. It is not. It will likely cost almost as much as the purchase price. Buyer beware.