The Volkswagen Vanagon is the sort of vehicle that demands you adhere to the adage that a road trip isn’t about the destination but what happens along the way. In other words, you’re not going anywhere fast, so just slow down and enjoy the journey. This is even more appropriate should you decide to spring for this rare European-market Vanagon that is equipped with a four-cylinder diesel engine that we didn’t get stateside, at least not in a pop-top camper like this. The seller notes there are just over 82,000 miles on the clock and that it has been well maintained. Find the VW here on eBay with bids to $16,000 and no reserve.
I spotted one of these unusual conversions at an auction in New Hampshire years ago. As the seller writes, this is a Westfalia model built in concert with Reimo outfitting in Egelsbach, Germany. The Reimo association from what I can tell speaks to the custom-raised roof and well-equipped camper van interior. It’s almost as if they took the Westfalia conversion one step further to make the Vanagon even more convenient for life on the road. The good news is that despite being a European-market model, it would seem most of the differences lie with the diesel powerplant and that the other differences are more tied to the camper equipment, a distinction that means most parts-sourcing issues will be limited to the engine.
Of course, if you manage to damage one of the cabinets or kitchen appliances, you’re going to have to settle for the replacement not looking nearly as period-correct, but even that can be addressed with cosmetic fine-tuning. The seller describes what seems like very clever packaging inside including a bed portion in the expanded Reimo-brand roof along with seating surfaces that convert to a queen-size bed in the main passenger compartment. There’s a fridge, two-burner propane stove, stainless steel sink, and electric pump faucet. The standing room inside will accommodate a six-foot-tall passenger, and the seller also notes there is plenty of storage to be found in cleverly-packaged cubbies and cabinets.
Thankfully, this Vanagon has the preferred manual transmission to get the most out of that humble powerplant. The front bucket seats look very comfortable and are in great condition. The VW is said to be mechanically healthy and able to return 20-21 MPGs on the highway despite its brick-like profile, and despite being an engine we didn’t see stateside, the seller promises that parts availability is generally good. That doesn’t help you if the Vanagon suffers a mechanical setback way off in the wilderness, but honestly, it doesn’t really matter what you’re driving at that point as your plans will be significantly impacted. This diesel-powered Vanagon is a sweet entry into the camper van lifestyle, and you’ll likely pay less here than the cost to ship one over yourself.
That’s not the Westfalia van conversion. It’s one of the many European conversions that popped up in the ’60s and ’70s. Don’t remember any names but our 3 years living in Europe uncovered a huge number of the VW vans with all sorts of camper modifications. Our last VW was an ’84 Westfalia Special Edition that we paid a whopping $22,000 for. It was a great machine. The diesel was offered here in the states but it wasn’t a big seller. The same engine was offered in the VW car line. The water cooled gas engine was much more powerful. We could easily break 85mph if we weren’t pulling a trailer.
’84 Westfalia
I had an 82 Vanagon diesel and 0-60 was about the same as a John Deere B.
Thanks, I needed that laugh !!!
I had two of them (one was for parts) and you are absolutely correct. I don’t know why they didn’t use the 1.6 turbo diesel in them, and a 5-speed vs. a 4-speed.
In Europe the 68 HP TD was an option, as was a Transporter only 1.7 NA diesel with a LOT more torque. Most European vans had 5 speeds. I have a euro-spec 5 speed in my Subaru powered 84 and I like it. 1st is “Down, over and back” leaving the other 4 gears in the normal H-pattern. I suspect VW though that was too much for most American drivers. You want to talk about odd engines? VW offered a 1.6 liter air cooled engine in the earlier Vanagons. Like a bug or type 3 block but with an oil filter. the 2.0 air cooled was barely adequate..a 1.6?!?!? That’s some cheapskate option right there, I tell ya….
If I don’t miss my mark, those front seats are out of a Volvo 240, specifically a GL trim model from 1980-1985.
We had the diesel option in America for the Vanagon. With 50hp on tap they were something to experience. My boss bought one with a blown engine and I installed a GTI 1.8L engine from a salvage he purchased at auction. I also installed the CIS injection and the conversion made a night and day difference. Another good conversion would be the 1.9L TDI which again is what these need in order to not spend your entire vacation getting to your destination.
I believe I have seen this van and it is a Westfalia. The US got one version which is Europe is known as a “Joker” with most of them having a pop-up top. Europe got the option of a fixed roof. Now as for the engine….Wow…Due to the single exit exhaust manifold (from the Dasher) the 1.6 liter is down-rated from 52 HP to 48hp. 73.5 lb/ft or something. The van weighs over 2 tons.
Back in 96 we took a US spec diesel Westfalia around the US. Made all of 22mph going into the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70 at a little over 11,000 ft. Small drift of black smoke following the whole way. Understand that the engine is HAPPY with this “Oooooooom” sound all the time, but the traffic BEHIND you ain’t so happy. I LOVE diesel vanagons and have had several in both camper and passenger configurations. I converted one to turbo diesel for 68 hp. 82 and 83 were the only years in the US. the 83 was superior as it had a 5 speed vs the 4 manual. (automatics? you’re kidding..right?)
I’ve swapped out 82 4 speeds with the same transmission out of the gas engine vans and that helps A LOT. It still won’t climb the hill in high gear but you’re not stuck at max revs at 42mph in 3rd. This is a back road/take your time vehicle. If this is the one I remember, it is in nice shape. Consider how many years it took to get those miles and you’re starting to understand the speed/acceleration of a diesel Vanagon. You’ll need food and a bed just for a trip to the 7-11….
And BELIEVE the state mpg. Normal diesel passenger vans were EPA rated at 29mpg. My 82 got 33mpg all the time. The best any of my diesel westfaila’s got was 27 and mostly 23-25. With that huge roof? yeah LOW 20’s. That’s the main reason I got rid of my diesels and repowered my 84 Westy with a Subaru 2.2. 135 hp, an honest 100+mph top speed and 22+ mpg. Better performance on cheaper fuel. Well over 250K miles on Subaru power and ain’t goin back!
And if you wanted more power I have a complete 92 Subaru SVX engine and wiring to swap into a Vanagon.
OK..in the “there IS such a thing as too much power” arena, the SVX is WAAAAAY too much for the VW chassis. I have 2 complete SVX engines and am waiting to find suitable 4WD Vanagons to install them in. Why 4wd? The 2wd can’t get the power to the ground. 45mph, level ground, punch the throttle and the van (camper!) goes SIDEWAYS! Even with 4wd you can’t shift fast enough to use full throttle in the lower gears. Just like my “concern” with the 298 powered Sunbeam Tiger, it’s FUN but you have to pay too much attention when driving it for it to be a serious automobile. This van, if the owner wanted something driveable, would call for maybe a 2.5 Subaru. You could, with 165 hp, actually take it on interstates. 3.3? hit the gas and become instantly inverted. nope…
Very interesting…but slow. Needs a mast and sail, freeway motor sailer!
Reminds me of the Goliath RVs.