1982 Diesel Westfalia Vanagon Full Camper

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Arcadia, California, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Volkswagen
  • Model: Bus/Vanagon
  • SubModel: Westfalia Full Camper
  • Type: Van Camper
  • Year: 1982
  • Mileage: 158,534
  • VIN: WV2ZG0253CH033528
  • Color: Assuan Brown
  • Engine size: 1.9 TD
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1982 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Westfalia Full Camper Description

1982 diesel Westfalia Vanagon, full camper. 158,534 total miles, with approximately 30,000 on a brand new motor.
I've owned this van for 10 years. I am the second owner. A friend of mine purchased this van on eBay in 2006 from the original owner. He already owned the exact same van and so he had it for less than a week and never registered it before I purchased it from him (so, technically, I'm the third owner, but he never drove it). It's my understanding that the van had been stored under an almond tree on a farm in Sonoma, CA. I have all of the records, including the original window sticker, registration, and manuals.
It was my intention to do a complete restoration. I got about 90% done. The only real work left to do is the body and paint, and install all the new items listed below (e.g., interior door panels, new marker lenses, S. African mud flaps, etc.). I still have quite a few brand new parts that have not yet been installed, (see a small, partial list below). I took the entire van apart and had practically everything rebuilt. I really spared no expense.
It has never been my daily driver, but prior to the birth of my son, I drove it roughly 300 miles almost every weekend to go surfing. Since his birth five years ago, I drive it approximately once every other month or so.
The good:
• Motor & Exhaust
1.9 turbo diesel with approximately 30K miles on it over ten years
Purchased brand new – arrived in crate from Germany
New injectors (at rebuild)
New glow plugs (at rebuild)
Turbo is tight
25 MPG, (Admittedly, I do not “cruise” it – so you could get even better MPG’s)
Runs flawlessly
Maintained impeccably – (I change fuel and oil filters earlier than necessary).
BBM 4 cyl. Stainless Oil Cooler Kit (mounted behind lower front grill)
Mocal 19 row x 235mm heat exchanger keeps oil and motor temps low
K&N Air filter – 9” x 7” (VERY breathable, and well maintained)
Magna Flow Stainless Steel exhaust system
• Transmission – 1978 DK
Rebuilt by Rancho in So. Cal. (at time of motor rebuild)
Re-geared 0.77 4th gear for freeway travel
Matched bell housing
Smooth shifting with no grinding (admittedly, I baby it)
Cruises at 70 mph all day
Speedo rebuilt and calibrated for larger wheels
• Cooling
Original radiator (not a newer aluminum POS);
Cleaned, Rodded, and re-soldered (at time of motor rebuild)
Proper temperature thermostat
Heavy duty relays on 2 stage fan
• Drive Train
Rhein 15” wheels with Michelin tires (slightly sun cracked, but a lot of tread left)
Bilstein shocks all the way around
Front end rebuilt
Rear bearings repacked
• Fuel System
Injection pump rebuilt
External electric fuel pump to reduce wear on injection pump
Evaporation system re-sealed
Sender unit in fuel tank rebuilt
• Electrical
Upgraded 95 amp alternator
Kyocera 135 watt Solar panel
Morningstar SunSaver DUO Charge controller – 25A/12v with Remote Meter
Tripp-Lite 1800 Watt Inverter
Batteries
12V starter in engine compartment
12V Deep Cycle Camp Battery under back foldout seat
Aux. battery under passenger seat -
Powers stereo; cockpit lights; cargo light above sink; Fuse bank under sink cabinetry Multiple West Marine 12 volt receptacles for accessories
Osram Co=Pilot 15” map light in cargo area (used in police cruisers)
LED’s throughout interior and exterior lighting system
• Interior
All Original curtains – (still in use and in good condition)
Headliner & panels have textured bamboo styled wallpaper
Brand new SewFine Interior Panels – still in box
Upgraded Captain’s swivel seat with armrests on interior side of seat
Reupholstered seats - front and rear (Z-Bed)
All cabinetry interiors painted with oil based paint to seal out moisture
Sliding window latches rebuilt & powder coated – work perfectly
Metal screens in both rear sliding windows
Pioneer DEH-P4100UB Stereo with iPhone/iPod connection
Gauges – custom VDO gauges installed on dash
VDO 6,000 RPM Diesel Cockpit Tach
VDO Oil Pressure
VDO Water Temp
VDO Exhaust Temp
VDO Oil Temp
Olympian Catalytic Propane heater w/cover
Very efficient
Mounted behind passenger seat for additional warmth in cargo area
Shurflo sink faucet – new, but not connected
12V Tankless hot water heater mounted in closet (for standup shower out rear hatch)
All Brass fittings - no leaks
Flojet marine water pump
Stainless steel hose for shower head
• Exterior
Fiamma F45 Awning
S. African grill & headlights
Heavy Duty relay system & bulbs
S. African Mirrors
S. African Mud Flaps (uninstalled)
Propane tank rebuilt with upgraded/modern regulator
Rebuilt & powder coated door and slider handles
Heavy duty gas struts on rear hatch
Yakima rack system (holds solar panel on one side)
GoWesty 3-window tent (2 years old and tight)
Re-glassed and painted pop-top (4 years old)
Rubber and seals replaced
• Spare parts
Windshield with no cracks or chips
Glove box and a lot of misc. brown plastic trim pieces (see pics)
Door window regulators (2)
Diesel Motor Mounts
Electric Oil Cooler for mounting under body
• Brand new spare parts still in the box
Dashboard Wiring harness replacement kit (GW)
Glove Box LED light – uninstalled (GW)
Original VW side marker lenses, still in packaging
Two water tank pumps from GoWesty
S. African Mud Flaps (see pics)
• Extras:
12V Tankless hot water heater, with a retractable shower head out the back hatch
Connected to the 11 gallon interior water tank
Uses a sur flow marine pump
Produces 120 degree showers
High quality brass fittings used, so nothing leaks
GoWesty rubber floor kit throughout entire van
Blinkers wired to alternate between blinker and running light (makes side marker blink)
Trailer hitch with wiring harness for brakes and blinkers
Coleman Travel Trailer with fiberglass pop-up lid (NOT a camper)
The Bad:
• I removed the refrigerator and installed cabinetry
• The sink spigot is not hooked up. I disconnected it to install a valve which would shift between tank/city water, as well as between the sink and the on-board tankless hot water heater.
• Windshield has a small crack which does not impair vision
• Window moldings and rubber need replacement (they don’t leak)
The Ugly:
• Dent right behind the passenger door in the pillar (see pics)
• Numerous small door dings around the body (see pics)
• Paint is original, faded, and chipped in some places (see pics)
I have quite a few more pictures, (over 100) as well as a video of it starting up cold and idling.
I know what I have, including the level of maintenance and detail that has gone into it. It drives smoother than any other Vanagon I've ever driven. I will provide you with the name and telephone number of the mechanic who maintains it to verify it's condition and my maintenance habits.
I purchased the highest quality parts I could find on everything, so please don’t try to grind me on the price. The buyer is already getting a hell of a value and I’m in no hurry to sell it.