The Type 2, also known as the VW Bus and – later – the Vanagon, was a microbus that came to signify the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s. These were versatile vehicles that could even be fitted as campers. This Westfalia Camper, which was a conversion of a VW Type 2, is a 1966 model that’s offered in survivor condition. Located in Lorain, Ohio, it presents well yet it has also been well-used. This VW is available here on eBay for $85,000 though you could try submitting an offer.
The van here may have lived in Ohio most of its life as it was purchased new in the town of Lakewood. The current owner bought it 20 years ago with 67,000 miles on the odometer and has added just 11,000 more since then. When not in use, the camper has been stored in a dry, heated garage, so the body is straight and mostly rust-free, thanks to factory undercoating. The lower extremities were repainted in the early 2000s due to a lot of rock chips.
A check of the odometer reveals a reading just shy of 80,000 miles. The original 1,500-cc, 53 hp engine was professionally rebuilt about four years ago and the van has only traveled 1,000 miles since. It starts, runs, and drives exactly the way it should. When it was new, the van was fitted with the SO 42 Camping Car interior set-up which has held up quite well. That includes the cabinets, folding tables, countertops, sink, refrigerator, and more.
A nice upgrade to 1966 technology is a change to a 12-volt electrical system. Should the buyer have any use for the old parts, they have been retained along with the owner’s manual and some other documentation that dates back several years. This looks like a great vintage van to go camping in, but I’d be hesitant to do so given the price of obtaining ownership. Oh, by the way, this van came with the Big Top Tent extra to accommodate more folks on a camping trip and it’s said to be as nice as everything else here.
Makes more cents for me to rent a camper:-)
85 large for a VW van. In no world is this underpowered tin can worth that.
If I was to spend $85K on VW van (and I’m not) I think I would wait until the new ID Buzz comes out. Same vibe, one hell of a lot more safety. In this Type 2, YOU are the crush zone.
This bus sold at RM auctions only a few months ago for $37,500, which is ridiculous in itself for a vehicle that can’t get out of it’s own way. Yes, hippie types drove them all over the US in the 70’s , but the interstate speed limit was 55. Today you would be risking life and limb to drive one anywhere. About 4 years ago I bought a ’78 bay window bus that already had a new, driver quality paint job and needed interior cosmetic work and repairs to the fuel injection. I completed both and resold it for under 6K. I think I may have sold it too soon!
Fred. Looking at the prices these Type 2’s are fetching on BAT I don’t think you sold it too cheaply, I think you gave it away!
Two of my pals from school were/are huge VW guys. One of them drove an old VW bus as a daily driver, and was heading back to Barrie Ontario from Toronto on HWY 400 late one night. Other motorists found Tom laying on the highway outside of the bus, after a stray/spooked horse got away from a farm and lept out of the woods in front of Tom.
Amazingly, Tom was ok – badly beat up, and had been wearing his seatbelt so managed to get out of the bus post impact (I recall him later saying how painful all the glass in his eyes was!). I saw the pictures of the bus later. The front of the RHS of the bus was pushed THROUGH the passenger seat. Had that horse been there a second earlier, the front of the bus would have been pushed through Tom!!!!
bt
Two friends of mine, from wealthy families, drove one of these all over Europe. It was the 60’s and they were supposedly picking this “rare” camper up in Germany. Well it turned into quite an adventure. Thier parents weren’t at all pleased with the whole thing. The trouble in Germany and France and the legal bills, that followed, added to the parents displeasure. The VW ran fine, but very slow and there were no breakdowns. When they returned, both sets of parents had made appointments with US Army recruiters. Army Basic can really give you a new outlook on life.
The VW rusted away, parked in back of one of the families businesses.
As for safety; I had a 79 bay window camper for 10 years and if it ever looked like a crash was imminent, my plan was to slam on the brakes and then just before impact, jump onto the bed in back.
Wow, it still has the governor on it.
I didn’t realise that the owners wife was included in the sale! Ha, ha,