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1978 VW Sunroof Bus Kombi Transporter Automatic!

Location: Lynnwood, Washington, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Bus/Vanagon
Type: Cab & Chassis
Year: 1978
Mileage: 25000
Color: Orange
Engine size: 2000 cc
Number of cylinders: 2
Fuel: Hybrid-Electric
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Brown
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Options: Sunroof
Vehicle Title: Clean

1978 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Description

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We’ve owned this bus for 23 years. Sold hundreds of busses all around the world but this one was so special and dependable that it ended up becoming party of our family.
Where we found him…”Sluggo” (my wife named the bus), was found on a farm here in Washington, that many years ago, I don't remember how many miles it had on it, but there are about 250K miles on him now.
This bus has not had any maintenance required just the basics.... oil changes, basic maintenance and a bit of windex has fit the bill.
This makes it rarer, all original paint, NO bodywork ever done. only the rims have been painted.
This being said, you may or may not want to restore it. There is a lot to be said for an all original un-messed with bus, but on the other hand... it would be about the nicest bus (bay) there is ... if restored. That never keeps it from getting compliments or drawing a crowd.. several times I've heard "thats the coolest car I've ever seen",,, well, kids haven't seen much these days... but I understand. It is impossible to drive this bus without smiling.
The sunroof: I am well aware that the gold in this metal has to do with the hole in the roof. It opens and closes very nicely with a little help. It is well known that the cables are somewhat of a design flaw. Help the sunroof a little as you open and close it and the cables will last forever. All aftermarket cables I have seen are junk.
The drains for the sunroof have been kept clean. Probably the only reason that this has survived through the years. It does not leak. It has NEVER been garaged.
I just pulled the rear carpet and stock cargo rubber mats and... the floors are all in very good shape, especially for a sunroof! Whew, I was dreading that; because I don't remember the last time I pulled them out. This is a perfect bus to retore or hunt and peck with rustmort to double freeze any iron oxide formation. ;-)
The transmission is the VW_Automatic. VW finally got it right with this one. It is a dream to drive, shifts perfect. 091 final drive like the baja guys like so it's tough.
The engine is getting weak. Low compression. Gonna need work, last several years it's only been short trips. All the running gear is in good shape. Front windshield is cracked, Antenna is broken, The AudioSox radio in it has never been hooked up... always had the blaster with us.
Roof racks are cool. The back is factory, the front who knows. It was always fun at the race track being able to pop out the sunroof for the drag races above everyone... and if that wasn't enough, plywood on the rack and you were the highest in the show.. 8*)
Rock-N-Roll Bed in the back (dealer option I believe).. makes it a weekender or until the food runs out... what's a bus without a bed in the back? A ToyBin.
Factory option wing locks and Side Step are nice to have, saves you from break-ins and breaking a shin.. getting in.
The optional sun shades/drip guards on the driver and passenger doors are a godsend in this climate to provide a little air without getting wet. Heater works good.
The Wheel Wells, Rockers panels and doglegs are all in great shape.
You see the dents... and the battery box rust. Been that way since I got it.
All lights work, turn signals, brakes, the Headlights are H$'s nice n bright.The chrome bumpers have seen better days, but hey, they work and they're shiny.
The Mexico Beige and Panama Brown (How is ORANGE brown)... pops and agian, is alloriginal, nothing has ever been done as far as bodywork.
Ok, creature comfort Captains chair, awesome but they kinda clash... whatever, the factory ones disintegrated over the years and I love the Vanagon front seats.
Nice rims and mudder tires, shag rug in the back, clean and bordered... I slept on the floor the other day while I was supposed to be cleaning...It still has the factory tire cover in great shape, the slider window seal nicely and a re perfect for squirt gun fights.
At one time I had 7 sunroof busses (like I said.. we were restoring them). This bus made the cut. The other 78 was the Sage green and Mexico beige an went for crazy money.... restored.
That's all I can think of for now.. I hope someone enjoys this bus 1/2 as much as we have...