This 1967 Volkswagen Bus Westfalia Camper is a pleasingly intact original example, supposedly found hiding in the Oregon forest by the seller who then proceeded to nurture it back to running and driving condition without going thru with a full-bore restoration. When looking for an old-school Westfalia, finding one with all of its period camping equipment still intact is truly a rare find, as many have been either over-used or stripped out for use in other projects by this point. Like so many other vintage vehicles living in the Pacific Northwest, this Bus remains incredibly well preserved. Find the Westfalia here on eBay where bidding is over $15,000 with no reserve, and the auction ends on Wednesday.
The body looks to be decent, not perfect, but certainly the kind of condition you can live with if perfection isn’t a goal. In general, the Bus is tatty around the edges, with the rear bumper slightly askew and the paint certainly nothing special. But if you’re looking to bring this down some dusty trails and park where indoor plumbing is a luxury, a pristine camper van is not what you want. The Bus still sports its old-school Oregon plates, telling you a bit about how long it’s been hidden away and off the roads. The seller acknowledges that there are some rusty areas on the body, and that they can fix those spots before passing it along to the next owner if desired.
The interior is where this Bus really shines, as its original camping and cooking equipment is all seemingly still installed and in very good condition. The tables, seating spaces, and sleeping areas show no signs of being completely trashed, and even the curtains still hang in the window. Now, if these are the components made by Campmobile, I’m not entirely surprised they remain in such good condition. I’ve come across one or two of these in my junkyard travels and I’m shocked by how well these original components hold up to years of abuse and exposure to the elements. The seller notes that this was a big reason for rescuing this one, as the interior was clearly well preserved despite its years off the road.
The engine bay may hold some clues as to the original paint, showing what looks like a fern green inside. You can see that look clear as day on Bus like this, with perhaps a two-tone look offset by a cream or white paint, especially along the roof line and where the pop-top opens up. The seller focused their reconditioning efforts on the mechanical components, which included pulling the engine to replace the main seal and O-ring, spark plugs and points, and also consisted of pulling the carburetor to clean it up and verify its health. The oil was changed and the valves adjusted, and other improvements were made to the suspension and brakes to ensure safe travel. This seems like a great candidate to simply use and enjoy, or restore to the next level.
I regard this the same way as I do all VW survivors – cute, but please don’t ever make me drive one again.
My parents had one. Could be scary, particularly in Michigan winters. They took it everywhere. Don’t know what happened to it. Probably got stuck in a snow drift somewhere. Good for it.
Agreed. The perfect vehicle for 17-year-old me. 67-year-old me says, “No, thanks.”
Must be the last year of the old school front and first year for back up lights.
I know for beetles ’67 was a one year only. First year for backup lights, 12 volt, new style headlights. Last year for overrider bumpers.
Horrible vehicles really. Very underpowered. Never really cared for them. Having said all that, this one is kind of a charmer and (I cannot believe I am writing this) it might be a fun camper. As long as you didn’t have far to drive to camp and there were no hills, mountains or crosswinds
I took 1964 from Miami to San Francisco And up to Van couver . Then across the Canadian Rockies and down through Crestin Idaho through Yellowstone. It died and ended up in the volkswagon grave yard in Jackson hole😎 That was in 1971
Seems like a gift at $15k to me.
What a beauty…With the 1500 cc motor and all.This is a keeper yes she needs a little TLC Slow going up the hills. but I had the same deal but with a cam and twin solex,carbs ,”I made the intake manifolds”, and a nice pipe on the tail end .it would move out…..getting there is half the fun.Stay off the inter state and enjoy..
And that’s the whole point to a vehicle like this. You don’t use them to cruise at 80 with the A/C on and then “camp” watching the 70″ 3 D screen. A two lane, no agenda tour…
The rear apron has been changed. That’s why it’s green. Westfalias from this era were all white from the factory. To change or to pull the engine the rear apron comes off with the four bolts facing the rear. Campmobile was a different company altogether. They made their own campers using VWs. It is in really good condition for its age.
There is only one of the four bolts in the picture.
My Dad had a ’66 V-dub camper van back in the day- about the same color. Neat vehicle but WAY underpowered.
yeah lots of these in my twn growing up (NewEngland) – no westfalias tho (a 1st yr 4 these?). The 1st 4, 5 decades (’60s – teens?) were pretty basic. I’d almost saved the $ and just leaned over, laid on the seat, used a camp stove, etc…
My ’68 chebby (‘108 in WB’) was way more comfortable & I just glued/screwed some 2 by’n ply…
Go usa (a lill falcon i6 v the veedub bug wuz da same).
My dad had one and this brings back find memories. I used to drive it to high school! Family trip was to Santa Fe and back from california every year.
As far as a collector car is concerned this is a gift and worth big dollars with some decent restoration.I found driving one was lots of fun if you used the gears to suit the conditions and you made the trip an experience and not a race. They were build for autobahns and flat land conditions.
I dreamed all my life of having something like this if i had the money to bid i sure would do it !! It is a dream just to be able to see it!! What a joy!!
These are really cool but I’m not going to pay these crazy prices for these!!