Craigslist Find – 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia

Marcal Eilenstein

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I have confessed my love for Westfalia vans before, but I’ve always balked at the exorbitant prices they command; even 20-year old Westies can go for well over $20,000. This time, I’ve found a Westy that’s much more reasonably priced, and in good shape. Take a look and see if you agree.

From the ad:

 2.1 rebuilt around 15k miles ago.
Automatic Tranny
New Canvass top
New Curtains and covers
Refrigerator makes ice(tested while plugged in to 120v)
Propane tank has held propane for 3 years(no leaks) Brand New
New water lines to radiator and many other new parts
Spare tire and storage in front.
Rebuilt by local re builder “Northwesty”

Northwesty seems to be a popular builder in this part of the country, as I have seen their name many times connected to other Westfalias. Another one I see a lot is GoWesty. Unlike a lot of others I see online, everything works on this one, and gets used once in a while. I don’t know about you, but I always feel a little better when I see a vehicle or feature used the way it was intended; if nothing else, at least I know it works properly!

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Again, everything is here, and it all works.  Some people like to personalize theirs with custom floors or upholstery, but the seller here has left his almost completely stock. There’s something strangely comforting about all that 80’s gray; even the curtains are drab.

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Westy in its native habitat.

Yeah, they’re slow, don’t handle that well, are kind of heavy, and make you think of hippies, but imagine the possibilities of owning this Westy. Want to go camping, but hate sleeping in a tent? Have a double bed and some curtains. Found a great fishing spot, but don’t want to drive up at 3 in the morning? Camp there the night before. Going off the grid and want to live in a van down by the river? Here’s a van you can live in, down by the river.

What do you think of this little red wagon?

 

[Source: Seattle craigslist]

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Marcal Eilenstein

Marcal Eilenstein

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18 responses to “Craigslist Find – 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia”

  1. frankthecat Avatar
    frankthecat

    Ain't slow if you swap in a 2.3L Subaru boxer.

    Reply
    1. frankthecat Avatar
      frankthecat

      Might catch on fire less, too!**
      **provided you replace the ancient rubber fuel lines during the swap

      Reply
  2. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    How many fire extinguishers do you get with it?
    *ducks*

    Reply
  3. Tom M Avatar
    Tom M

    Westies are the greatest vehicles! Westies are FULL TIME mechanical hobbies! I have had mine 13 years and been all over the country. Many folks always stop me to tell me they would like to buy one and I let them know they need to know a mechanic or become one. Sure – other cars are more reliable, cheaper or just faster…but WHAT OTHER CAR can you have a Foursome and serve breakfast afterwards?
    [youtube Xi9MwfwIwMY http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi9MwfwIwMY youtube]

    Reply
    1. racer139 Avatar
      racer139

      When I was Five my grandfather decked out his 81 E150 with a setup similar to this westies all ine one kitchen . He added a gueen sized bed and a television and a vhs and beta machines just so he could get away from his wife and take his girlfriend along. I loved that old van.

      Reply
      1. MVEilenstein Avatar
        MVEilenstein

        We had a conversion van like that when we were kids. No cookstove, but a cooler and sink. Queen size bed/bench in the back.

        Reply
  4. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    The ad has been removed. Sold? I wouldn't doubt it. A solid Westy for under $10k is tough to find, and I wouldn't be surprised if this got snapped up quickly at that price.

    Reply
    1. MVEilenstein Avatar
      MVEilenstein

      Wouldn't surprise me. It was a pretty good value.

      Reply
  5. John-Paul Avatar
    John-Paul

    VW Vanagon, 1989, manual transmission………..- $6500 (West Bloomfield)
    http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/3809924603….
    http://images.craigslist.org/3G43La3Mb5Ia5E65H2d5…

    Reply
    1. humblejanitor Avatar
      humblejanitor

      It's not a Westy.

      Reply
  6. Reuven Avatar
    Reuven

    My Dad had a non-camper 87 syncro when I was a kid. First thing I ever drove. Slow, unique and irreplaceable. When it was threatening to barf up it's head gaskets a second time we traded it in for a suburban.

    Reply
  7. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    VW vans are great, and Westphalia conversions have been the state of the art. But they are what they are, and they've always been horribly expensive. This one looks good, if a little tired. I'd avoid it, if only because the auto makes it even more gutless. I never want to be the guy in the Winnebago, with a two mile long trail of cars following him up the mountain.

    Reply
  8. BobWellington Avatar
    BobWellington

    My cousin has one. Has the worst front seats I've ever sat in. And that power…or rather lack of. We were overheating doing 40 up a slight incline. I did sleep in it, and it wasn't that bad in that respect.

    Reply
  9. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    Frankly, I'd rather have the same thing with a liquid-cooled Chevy straight six up front.
    <img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1964-Chevrolet-Freeway-Traveler-Van-Camper-Vista-Ad-wn2693-D1GEFE-/00/s/NTkzWDcyMA==/z/6Z8AAMXQs6FRNgqU/$%28KGrHqZ,!pIFEk776WuqBRNgqUIMR!~~10_12.JPG">

    Reply
  10. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    <img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1966-Chevrolet-Van-TEC-Travel-Cruiser-Camper-Brochure-wi6702-K173GS-/00/s/ODQ3WDYzNA==/z/1OQAAOxyQj9RN8Hf/$T2eC16FHJF8E9nnC6LgsBRN8HfhGKQ~~60_12.JPG"&gt;

    Reply
  11. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    Actually, now that I think about it…
    <img src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/f2/47/51/f247516052a5572552338f7986d85565.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  12. Neen85 Avatar
    Neen85

    It's hard not to love a Vanagon…
    (until you are the one paying for repairs)

    Reply
  13. david marcus wilson Avatar
    david marcus wilson

    I am interested car van what type van Craigslist Find – 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia

    Reply