1973 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper

Believe it or not, The Type 2 Camper Van had humble beginnings. It was created to carry car parts around a humongous VW factory in Britain. Before its invention, manufacturers used stripped down VW Beetles for this task. In 1947, a Dutch VW importer, by the name of Ben Pon, came up with an idea for a van based on the Beetle. A mere two years later, the concept, (an alternative to a cart and horse), was released at Geneva Motor. Out of this concept, the first VW camper van was born. In the beginning, it was simply a 170 cubic ft box built on a four-wheeled chassis. Over the next few years, Volkswagen expanded on this concept and came up with almost a 100 different body combinations with a variety of uses including the camper van, pick-ups, ambulances, fire engines, and more.

For consignment, a 1973 version of the Volkswagen T2 Westfalia Camper. This one has been redone with an open checkbook original parts restoration with a fresh 2.0 engine redone by a certified Porsche mechanic with over 40 years experience, all new seals, a fresher than fresh interior, and refinished in the original orange hue. Acadia National Park here we come, or maybe it should be the Grand Canyon, or wait…the wilds of Wyoming. How about all of them? Dream on!

Exterior
The steel body of this camper is showing near showroom thanks in part to a full-on restoration with all body seals, windows and markers removed during the straightening and respray. It's all bathed in Signal Orange, and panels are showing with laser straight gaps and near perfect paint, including the flat front holding a bright and shiny VW emblem in chrome. The round headlights rest just below the air intake grilles and down below is a straight white painted bumper, Groovy! The doors offer up easy access to the front buckets, and a sliding side door gives us access to the living space. The white fiberglass roof, with all new canvas and associated materials, pops up for plenty of extra space and all the tenting and screens are in new condition. As we move back, the sides have nice open long horizontal windows and even the back allows light to come through the gate with a window. On the driver's side we note the faint body seam and also a white vent quite possibly for the water hook up? On the back a small lift gate gives us access to the rear quarters, and just below is the “hood” revealing the engine. Another white bumper resides on the tail end and up top and standard drilled silver steel wheels are covered with shiny moon caps and wrapped in 195/70R14's all around.

Interior
Opening the front doors we see white vinyl panels that have smooth tops and bottoms along with horizontal embossed panels in the centers. All black handles, actuator and cranks are seen on these factory fresh panels. Moving inside to the cockpit, up front more black for the molded dash which has an angled upward dash and instrument cluster. In front of the driver is a trio of round gauges in a textured black panel. Red and yellow sides for the heater controls are seen and to the right is the factory AM radio. The shift pattern is noted on the central ash receptacle and a glovebox door faces the front seat passenger. Bucket seats on pedestals are seen in white textured and tuck and roll vinyl and white piping on the edges. These have nice headrests and present in excellent condition. A slide of the side door gives us access to the living space which has all the amenities of a camper. Behind the driver's seat is a single tan vinyl bucket seat and a central fold up table to enjoy your dinner or a game of gin and across the table is a tan vinyl bench seat for your opponent or dinner partner. Behind the front seat passenger is a small sink and a small refrigerator. Tucked in next to the long rear bench is a small storage closet and way in the back is a tan vinyl mattress for a quick cat nap or other adult festivities. An expanse of wood paneling makes up the rear sides and on the floor is a brown rubber mat. Above is a cot that can be used when the top is popped. Nice wood grained plywood is installed and doubles as the headliner. All the comforts of home, but now on the road. All this will make you a happy camper!

Drivetrain
In the back, tucked under the mattress in the engine bay is a 2.0 Liter flat 4-cylinder engine. It has a 1-barrel carburetor and a 4-speed manual transmission with a 5.375 rear axle. All in tip top shape thanks to the expertise of a 40 year seasoned Porsche expert mechanic.

Undercarriage
Underneath not even surface rust is noted on the ribbed galvanized steel floor pans, hangers off the frame and in the wheel wells. All are covered in a nice application of black rustproofing and undercoating. Independent transverse torsion bar suspension is in front, and independent semi trailing arm suspension on back. Disc brakes are reserved for the front, and drums for the rear.

Drive-Ability
It starts right up and runs nicely. Good handling and smooth 4-speed shifting, along with good braking. All is in working order and all was just wonderful on our drive. I was a bit miffed as my partner in crime refused to stop at the local KOA to do any hookups so I cannot speak for those..

A camping we will go, a camping we will go, hi ho the dairy-o a camping we will go! Pop up top, comfortable amenities inside and 2 beds are all crammed into this classic bus camper from VW.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.