Camping Find: 1970 Volkswagen Westfalia Type 2
The Type 1 was Volkswagen-speak for the famous “Beetle” which became one of the world’s best-selling automobiles in the second half of the 20th Century. The Type 2 was the VW Bus which would be known under a variety of names, and the Westfalia was the camper edition. This 1970 variant looks to be in very good condition, but it’s been in storage for a time and the seller makes no mention of its running condition. Located in a garage in Chicago, Illinois, this VW is available here on eBay where the most recent bid was $12,200.
First-generation Type 2s were built for 17 years beginning in 1950. In 1967, the second generation would debut, and it stayed through 1979. Gone was the split front windshield that signified the first generation, and the newer versions put on weight and were longer. It was these versions that earned the nickname “loaf of bread” because that’s what they kind of looked like. The 6-volt electrical system was gone in favor of a 12-volt.
Details about the seller’s van are limited. The engine was rebuilt by the prior owner, but we don’t know when or how many miles have accumulated since. The battery is new and comes with a two-year warranty. In addition, the fuel pump, clutch, and carburetor are new, too. All this is fine and dandy, but does it run? You have to think not or why wouldn’t the seller simply back it out of the garage to take much better photos?
The body and paint look nice from what we can tell, and the interior is in at least good, usable condition and ready for a few camping trips. If this vehicle runs and doesn’t require anything more than some weekend outings, how far might the bidding go for a nice, 53-year-old camper/van?
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Comments
Owned a ”77 full blown Wesfailia pop top, stove, refer, etc. Plenty good for two people. This one is camping at its hardest, especially with the bulkhead between the front seat and the camper part of the rig.
hafta say (? yeah?) worse pic of a vehicle for sale I’ve ever seen.
“…camping at its hardest…”
even at a not so spry 70 y/o I’d do an easy flip over in the cold or rain.
(geta 2nd ITC weber or a big IDF, may B a DSG etc for 4WD, more space by bed cnversion/reduction as I’m solo, more mods ‘back there’).
Vanagon yes, Westfalia camper not
Vanagon not. The Vanagon was the replacement for the 1980 model year which was replaced by the Eurovan.
I’ve never heard of these being called a loaf of bread. They are generally referred to as “Bay Window.”
We owned a 1971 Westfalia, drove it from Minnesota to California in the mid-seventies. The best thing that ever happened to improve the enjoyment was the 55 MPH speed limits.
I don’t remember seeing a Westfalia camper without the roof opening so that you could stand. This appears to have some of the Westfalia camper parts installed in a standard Vanagon.
There was a model called the Economy Camper. It didn’t have the poptop or the counter and appliances. It had the rest including the birch paneling on the walls and ceiling I had a ’72. This was definitely a regular bus with the interior added.
It’s not a Westfalia , it’s a COMBI ! It’s probably got a 1600 cc single port opposing 4 cylinder . Last year before the 1600 dual port intake with power brakes . Put a safety wire on the fuel
Line where it goes into that carb body and drive the snot out of it !! Put new jugs and pistons on it to bring it up to 1776 cc and you can do 80 mph . And you can rebuild it on the kitchen table !! Just keep that fuel line secured , most VWs burned up due that fitting coming loose and spewing gas around and the generator is right there shooting sparks ! Boom and the split engine block is made out of magnesium which is a metal that burns like crazy !!! Wonderful machines if you don’t mind tinkering weekly it adjusting your timing halfway up the mountain !! Did thousands of miles in mine 20-25 years ago !! Go Surf !!
This was a deluxe 9 passenger “Station Wagon” or “Clipper” depending on the market.
These differed from Kombis (Combi is the Brazilian spelling) in a few ways:
-chrome beltline trim and window rubber embellishments, also around front fresh air grill.
-two tone interior padded panels with padded armrests on the air ducts on the front doors.
-full vinyl headlining that extends down to window surrounds
Kombis were basically utility vans with windows. Lower spec, plain window rubber, hardboard interior panels behind the front seats, interior was either body color or matte, primer-like paint.
Hmmm…..someone paid 13 large for a Vanagon combi…….some items just don’t need decent ads to move. My guess…and it’s just a guess…that the most likely buyer might be a dealer……figuring another 10 large can be added to the sales price with a little work.
Some years back as I have said I got 6 large for a ’67 21 window with a full Westphalia interior I salvaged from a wrecked ’66. I wish I had it now.
Some guy who never rode a day in his life in a bus would pay through the nose for it at auction. :)
This started life as a standard passenger van. There was an “Economy Camper” that didn’t have the poptop or appliances. It was a walkthrough with the bed and rear cabinets, a stool, and a table. Curtains and jalousy windows too. The walls and ceiling were clad in birch plywood. I had a ‘72.
I never heard these called a bread box. This model is generally referred to as a “Bay Window.”
The 1967 model year was the last year of the split window. 1968 was the first year of the bay window.
I don’t believe this is a Westy. This is, I believe a weekender. West’s came with a pop top, kitchenette, and had provisions for LP.
Weekenders came with this set up, a fold down seat for a bed, bench, and not much more.
I don’t know if I would pay more than 5K for it given the uncertainty.
Also called the “Economy Camper” in some ads. It also had the walk through bulkhead.