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Deluxe, Original Paint, Rust Free Survivor, Two Owners, 55k Original Miles

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Location: Castle Rock, Washington, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Bus/Vanagon
Year: 1971
Mileage: 55,200
Transmission: Manual
Vehicle Title: Clear

1971 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Description

*** If you have a feed back rating of5 or lowerpleasecontact me prior to bidding or your bid will be blocked ***
1971 Deluxe transporter w/ factory A/C. I purchased this van from the original owner. Only 55,000 original miles. Original blue Oregon plates. One key fits all locks. Over $8000 in receipts included. This van spent almost its entire life in dry southern Oregon were it was always garaged. The the stock 1600cc VW motor was updated with a 2 liter four cylinder Ford motor conversion (similar to the more modern Ford Bostig conversion). Updated and stronger stock VW bus transmission. All work was professionally done. All parts came from Esslinger Engineering in San Gabriel California. Esslinger Engineering is the best in the country when it comes to built four cylinder Ford motors, racing motors and adapters.... They are well known for a lot of the VW sand rail conversions. NOTHING was cut, this is a completely bolt on set up. The engineering is impressive on this build to say the least. This bus has factory A/C that is adapted to the Ford A/C compressor. This van also has an updated and modern heater and heater core that works like a traditional water cooled vehicle. Thousands of dollars have gone into this bus. I do have all receipts for all work done. This bus runs and drives excellent with awesome power/performance. The bus comes with all paper work, general maintenance parts list, specs, and manuals for the motor conversion. This is a special bus. Perfect for some one who wants the power, drive ability, gas mileage, comfort, and reliability of a newer car with out all the draw backs from a traditional low horse power air cooled motor.
*** The motor was completely rebuilt before installation. At the time of the rebuild the engine head was rebuilt, new rod and main bearings, oil pump, header, aluminum clutch (stock VW), pressure plate (stock VW), aluminum rocker and timing cover, thrust bearing,rocker arms, cam kit (mild street), wrist pins, new gaskets/head gaskets. Machine work included hot tank, balance, blue print, new head studs, line bore and deck block, adjustable cam timing sprocket, heavy duty rod bolts.
Motor- Mildly built 1974 Ford Pinto 2 liter four cylinder motor. Brand new Weber down draft carburetor. Custom header, aluminum valve cover, aluminum timing cover, adjustable cam timing sprocket, high out put oil pump, K&N air filter, MSD ignition, Mallory coil, mid performance (274) cam. Custom built radiator guard built to same diameter as a stock front tire carrier. The bus has a vinyl cover with mesh front that goes over the radiator guard making it look identical to a spare tire cover. I have had VW enthusiasts not now there is a radiator on the front of this van... Brand new custom built radiator by professional radiator shop less than a month old. New temp sender. The electric fan has its own temp sender and turns off and on automatically. The van always runs cool. The fan was also remounted with heavy duty custom brackets when it was replaced. Aluminum high performance clutch disc, hydraulic racing style throttle cable/gas pedal (Neil Racing) with remote reservoir. New performance muffler. This bus sounds AWESOME. Custom copper and aluminum coolant lines and silicone hoses. This bus has oil pressure, volt and water temp gauges. Brand new alternator and voltage regulator. Maintenance is a breeze as it has a custom made access panel in the rear hatch area, similar to the late bay window buses (see picture). This makes working on the van and routine maintenance very easy. This bus will get 20+ mpg and do 60 mph up hill, no problem....
Paint/Body- This bus is a exceptional example of a well preserved pristine survivor with original paint. The best color on a early bay window in my opinion, Sierra Yellow (L 11 H). This bus has always been garaged. The paint is in exceptional condition and still looks new thanks to meticulous care and maintenance this van received throughout its life. I just had the original paint professionally polished to bring out the beautiful factory shine. This bus is 99% rust free. Perfect floors, doglegs, cargo floor, gutters, lower windshield area, frame, jack points rockers, outriggers ect, ect. The only rust the bus has is the passenger side battery tray (from a leaking battery), there is NO RUST or bubbling on the body side of the battery tray. The battery has been moved to the other side. The bus is arrow strait. Door and body gaps are perfect. I just had the rims and bumpers sand blasted and powder coated to the factory original colors. The front and rear bumpers were completely taken apart, the over riders were separately powder coated. New bumper rubber steps were installed. New front windshield and seal.
Interior- The original factory black basket weave interior is in excellent condition over all. The front door panels are excellent. The dash is nice. Period correct Cobra CB radio. The headliner is excellent with the exception of one small rip. The front, middle, rear seat, and interior panels are all in good original condition. Original middle seat kick panel (rare always missing), new rear seat kick panel. The rubber mats are in good condition. New rear hatch area carpet. original hard shell spare tire cover. Near mint dash.
A/C & Heating- This is a super rare factory A/C van, this is almost unheard of for a 1971. The bus retains its original over head blower assembly, condenser with cooling fans mounted under the van. The factory A/C system is adapted to the ford A/C compressor. The A/C does need to be recharged. The bus has a modern heater core with integrated blower fan that is ingeniously adapted with the stock VW air ducting and defrost system. The heater is MUCH better than the stock system as it works off a traditional water cooled heater core. The heater has a three speed blower fan. The heater works great.
Other- New horn. After market intermittent windshield wiper delay. Period original CB radio with tall removable antenna, (antenna not shown but included). I decided to leave the CB radio in to keep it as period original as possible. I have all paper work on the rebuilt motor, build sheet, all manuals, ect. New tires.
Once in a great while you find a van that has been well cared for its entire life, this is one of them... One of as kind (there is not another one like it)... Only 55k original miles. It is extremely rare to find a original paint low mile survivor in this condition. Very desirable color combination. Factory A/C. Many hours went into the build and recent preservation of this bus. There are many things I have not listed that have been done to this bus. 1971 is the most sought after year for collectors as its the first year of the disc brakes and last year for the classic bumpers and low lights. This van has been vastly improved over the original design. The motor has close to double the horse power of the stock 1600 cc air cooled motor and a modern heater and A/C to boot. You can safely keep up at highway speeds with out people passing you or having to down shift to go up hills or steep grades. This is a one of a kind bus, there is not another one like it....I am regretfully selling so I can finish the restoration on my 1965 VW bus. Perfect for cross country adventures, car shows, or a exceptional daily driver.
Feel free to contact me with questions. I will be happy to show the bus in person before the end of the auction or answer any questions over the phone or by email. I will also be happy to assist shipping. I can also store the bus inside free of charge in till the van is picked up for shipping.

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