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1973 VW Bus SportsMobile Penthouse RARE AUTOMATIC

Location: Lake Mary, Florida, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Bus/Vanagon
SubModel: T2
Type: Van Camper
Trim: SportsMobile Penthouse
Year: 1973
Mileage: 21500
VIN: XXXXXX1973
Color: Blue
Engine size: 1,700 CC Type 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Black / White / Plaid
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Options: Pop up camper
Vehicle Title: Clear

1973 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon SportsMobile Penthouse Description

Sadly, it's time to part with our weekend toy.
This is a 1973 Bay Window Type 2 Bus with a mega rare factoryAUTOMATIC transmission. TheBus was purchased in Colorado where it spent most of it's life until it came to Florida a few years ago. It is rust free and bone dry with only slight areas that I have even seen with any surface blemishes. As you can see from the last photo, the underside is solid and rust free.
This model is built by the Sportsmobile company - unlike the Westfalia, this model can not be bought in Europe, only in the US. Once the Buses arrived to the VW port from Germany, Sportsmobile would build them before they shipped to dealers. It boasts a pop up "Penthouse" top that offers a built in padded vinyl mattress that sleeps two adults very comfortably while the bottom bench seat flattens out to a "Z Bed" which sleeps another two adults and offers plenty more room for a child or dog :) The top lifts with one slow push up and pulls down just as easily. Pull it down, latch the lock, drive away.
The new paint looks absolutely amazing and although it's not show car paint, it looks like it is. The interior is as complete as I could find anywhere - the seats have 2 settings for comfort and feel great to sit on, only showing minor wear cracks and peels on the driver's base and some of the corners at the top.
Both front and back seats have factory seat belts - with 3 lap belts in the rear and 2 shoulder belts in the front.The pop-up top has some rips in the zippers and I was going to replace the screens if I didn't have to sell her - the screens are an easy replacement at any upholstery shop. Almost all windows have the tracks for whatever color curtains you wish to add. The bottom bench and rear back plaid cloth is clean with no rips or tears. It comes with the black, thick rubber floor covering in the event you don't appreciate the checkerboard floor!
The tires are brand new Hankooks and have hardly any miles on them. The spare in the rear is in good shape as well. All dash lights work, horn works, cabin airflow flaps work great - the gas gauge is kooky and works when it wants (which I hear is an epidemicwith these Buses) and although the blinkers flash, they just don't click on and off.
I replaced the front and rear brakes and brake lines 6 months ago - the front Disc brakes were in good shape already so the bus stops on a dime perfectly straight. The automatic tranny shifts gears with ease - and is a day a night ride compared to a VW manual transmission - mainly when you are holding on to a gigantic Bus steering wheel!
The motor starts on the first turn of the key - runs and drives very nicely and has never given me any issues. I recently noticed an oil stain in a few spots on the cement floor - for someone much smarter than I, I'm sure it's something simple. Although I have never had it replaced, the suspension is comfortable and smooth and doesn't make any odd clunks or squeaks, just straight and smooth.The head lights, high beams, parking lights and license plate lights all work and are nice and bright.
Honestly, you can go and buy a $30k Bus and never have to do anything to it yourself- but this Busis an amazing daily driver with all the amenitiesyou could need to go on a weekend camping trip with the kids and have a blast doing it.
Please email me with ANY questions prior to bidding as I am almost always availableto answer questions!

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