Subaru-Swapped: 1989 VW Westie Vanagon
This very clean and well-sorted 1989 Volkswagen Westfalia Vanagon is up for auction on eBay. When writing, the bidding was just over $12,000 with no reserve. The renowned Buslab shop in Berkeley, CA, sorted out this lunchbox, installing upgraded brakes and many other mechanical goodies. It was also outfitted with a Subaru 2.2 L engine and is ready to take you on your chosen adventures!
VW introduced the Vanagon in 1979, bringing it to American shores with the 1980 model line. It replaced the T2 “bay window” bus, a direct descendant of the Kombis introduced in the early 1950s. The new Vanagon model had the same basic box shape as its predecessors but with new-age styling and more creature comforts in the cabin. In 1982, Volkswagen introduced the first water-cooled (1.9-liter “waterboxer”) and diesel (1.6-liter) engines. These were *ahem* not the quickest cars on the road, but you were traveling in comfort with lots of space and storage solutions.
Westfalia has outfitted this specific model with a pop-up camper top and cabinets, a sink, and a stove, all tidily installed inside the Vanagon. Featuring many clever nooks and bins, these Westies are a testament to good design and will hold all your camping supplies in style. The rear seats fold into a bed, and while not as comfortable as your excellent mattress at home, it beats sleeping on the rocky ground in a sleeping bag. What makes this particular Westie desirable is the addition of the Subaru 2.2 L engine. This is a popular upgrade in the Vanagon community because it fits and works well. You still get the sensation of coasting the trails in a boxy Vanagon but with a proven Japanese powerplant’s added reliability and power. The seller states that this rig keeps up with traffic and can even pass other cars. However, some work is needed as the air conditioning has not yet been adapted to the Subaru.
If you have been considering classic VWs, glamping, or the “Van Life,” this Vanagon would be an excellent choice for your new hobby. With all the modifications done to this rig by a reputable shop, you would be ahead of most people purchasing projects. This simple and fun ride could take the family out for weekend adventures in the woods, desert, or just a nice backroads picnic. Where would you go in this lunchbox? Just make sure you are not in a rush! Bid on this Vanagon here on eBay.
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Comments
Bought an ’84 new fully loaded and put over 80K miles on it hitting both coasts and upper and lower borders multiple times. It was comfortable and would cruise at 80 all day long. This one looks like it’s a 4 wheel drive what with the high stance. Nice rig.
The 4WD version (Syncro) had the gas filler at the back near the hatch. The 2WD had the gas cap next to the pass door. I picked up my Syncro 10 years ago from Germany. They take care of their stuff better. It was an ex-fire department support vehicle with only 60k miles on it.
No mention of Syncro (VW’s AWD system at the time) in the ad, but it does mention having Go Westy lift springs, so that explains the high stance, likely for better ground clearance camping in the rough.
Nice catch guys. Actually didn’t know about the filler position change on the Syncros and the springs make sense for rough country running. Only off roading we did was a one lane dirt road from the Reno, Nevada area on the east side of the mountains to southeast Oregon. Wasn’t a great idea but it was interesting.
The one to have with the Subaru engine, the originals were a hazard on the interstates, or on hills on any fast road, going 45 mph when everyone else, even the cheapest Toyota or Honda is capable of 80 up hill.
the ‘bus’ gets it for nostalgia, these more purpose built. In person the german panels and comfort gear is really tops. Only need the awd now to score big time…
Cant speak for the motor swap as the oe is a 2109cc IIRC. German v Japanese engineering seems a moot point. If it is a WRX motor mayB a plus?
IDK as I dont follow those (my “ex’s” brand so I keep away dont wanna service). 8^ 0
Our camper had the water cooled engine and it had plenty of power. Have a friend up the road from us who put one of the Subaru 6 cylinders in his. That one really cooks. Not mentioned is the large bed up top which for two people leaves a lot of “stuff”room behind the rear seat. In addition to the factory AC we put a 220 unit under the right side of the rear seat. Nice when at a camp ground in the hot summers.
21K and 27 bids with 5 hours left.
This one is getting a lot of love.
A Subie conversion is nice, but there is a guy on the east coast (Mansi speed) making modern FI kits for the 2.1 waterboxers and you can add a turbo kit on top of that if you got the $$$.
Sold, US $24,600.00
34 bids,
well bought. What else, of any similar nature, can you find for that $$$ ??
Couldn’t figure out the a/c, huh. What else didn’t get figured out.