You're right but there's been Mk1 LT. Front engined, T3 vintage but with much more living space. Check VW Florida, one of the best factory spec campers ever built. Probably you have none in US but very popular in Europe.
No we don't get any of the VW LT trucks, America is well known for not allowing a lot of cool vehicles from other countries same goes with motorcycles, we would rather keep selling lowrider cruisers and huge lifted trucks than have vehicles that makes sense, pretty sad but such is life.
I have a 79 westi and am thinking of getting a small trailer or a way to hang the F800GS on the back. I have seen another member with an 800GS on the back of their bus. The top speed on these things is about 65- maybe 70 but as a previous poster mentioned- you dont want to go any faster. The whole idea of having a nice bed (x2), fridge, stove, sink, storage, solar panel(my own mod) and diesel heater (another mod) is awesome. Despite the crap handling, noise, some air cooled smells and slow speeds- it is a fun vehicle to get to places - this is coming from a BMW 800GS and 73' Norton Commando rider with an Audi S4 in the garage ! I have never felt impatient in my bus and part of it is because I feel the vehicle puts the driver in the right frame of mind (I know sounds wanky, but trust me on this- every bus owner I know who has seriously traveled with their Bus talks about the Zen) and Who doesnt need additional Zen these days? especialy after a good dirt bashing session. What the bus does have which most people miss is a crap load of low end torque - I have had 8 people in it plus camping gear and was cruising at 60mph. Find one with a clean engine and not too much rust - get 1-2 handbooks and you should be right. The VW bus clan are a serious cult - a lt a lot like DS riders, if your on the side of a road a bus will ALWAYS pull over. If you break down you can always take a nap, cook a meal or jump on your bike ! If I had the money I would convert mine to a subaru but people usually do this on a wedge >80's westi. If I REALLY had the cash I would get a Sprinter and call it a day but a Sprinter will NEVER have the same effect of a Westi pulling into any place and been a great conversation starter. Cheers,
Don't worry you've got cheap fuel and a very big land with great nature. In Turkey a litre of unleaded gasoline is around 2.5dollars and riding my R80GS Kalahari (Turkey is one of the few countries r80gs basic and kalahari sold as new between 1996-1997) is a luxury on long journeys.
I lived in one from 1978 to 1979. Then drove it across the country to move east from Colorado. Owning one changes your priorities and perceptions. They're not fast vehicles, but you don't care anymore. They can be a roving party, a good time machine, a get away from civilization. They're like the difference between a dual sport bike and a crotch rocket. When you own one, speed isn't your top priority anymore. Most fun vehicle I ever owned. Mine was a '71 air cooled classic. Pop top.
So far- no problem at all. what I can't find OEM network I pick up from GoWesty.com, Busboys.com or Thesamba.com classifieds.
The oddmeter on our '84 broke at 245,000mi. Still runs good. I never try to drive faster than 65mph, just plan on running with the semi's. I normally get 22-24 mpg. I've repaired the transaxle (3-4 syncro carrier), installed a new clutch, and one set of brakes. That's about it for repairs.
I have one with the Zetec. It zooms around just fine. It's no nascar, but moves with ease. Took it through WV and it handled the hills/mountains just fine. Gas mileage is around 20. Which is good considering it's an RV.
I love the late t3's with the rectangle lights and full side skirts. I'm considering either a westfalia or an American class b like a 90s road trek, it seems with the westfalia it commands an over priced premium for the image, while I can get more amenities on an American class b. I'm a bit jaded with Westys/vanagons to be honest, I was passing through Jackson WY, aka smugville usa, and spotted a syncro westfalia with a tdi conversion, it was obvious the owner had spent a lot of money on it. So I went up to the owner to say that I loved his westy and wanted to get some info on ownership. He pretty much walked off and was like yeah its a westy, its no big deal. Smug bastard.
I had a 81 Westy. Loved it especially when I got to where I was going. The motor lacked power, but whatever. Very well layed out. I sold it and bought a used Sportsmobile which suits me more, big V8 can strap a bike on the back go up a hill at 80+, but still the Westy has a efficiency you will only find in a Westy. When ever I see one go by I still give the smile and a thumbs up.
Became a Westy owner this spring. Driving it just feels right. It's an 1985 watercooled. Had a full sized raised roof camper van several years ago , VW way better for me. Not a rocket ship but new that going in. Other traffic knows it too. Lots of steep roads here in B.C. and when going up slow other cars seem just fine to wait a bit to pass,some even wave. Oddly at gas stations and rest stops ect. you'd be surprised at the girls/women who will come up to chat. I always smile when I drive it.
I have an 85 Westy and we use it quite a bit. Just got back from Quebec City with it, and next week doing a tour of Nova Scotia, PEI, Cape Breton and NB for 3 weeks. Parts are still readily available for the Vanagon's (80 - 91). 80 - 83.5 were air cooled and 83.5 to 91 were water. My 85 came with a 1.9 / 83HP (86 started with the 2.1 / 95HP). I now have a 2.5 that came out of a 2010 Subaru Legacy with 175HP. Vanagons are like Legos, you can mix and match so many different parts to keep them going for a long long time. I have aftermarket steel bumpers with a 2" receiver that I tow a dirt bike with, but due to the rear engine, doubt you would want to cram a bike in the back (like you could with a sprinter). Between the second deep cell battery, power inverter, solor, electric fridge, stove, sink.. I could stay off the grid for quit a while. The best part of owning a Westy is the cool factor. Everywhere I go someone has a story of travelling cross country in one when they were young, or knew someone who has. Always a great conversation starter when you're traveling around. <a href="http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/chasej7/media/2013-06-20171400.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/c/chasej7_2013-06-20171400.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-06-20171400.jpg"/></a>
I have an 81 Adventure Wagen that will most likely stay aircooled for now. I also have a 6.2 Winnebago Brave...but I finally made a decision to sell it and focus on the Adventurewagen and our Western States summer vacation in July. Gotta hurry up and prep.
Hi Mr.C. Good for you on the downsize. This summer we sold our 36' Pace Arrow and promptly bought our third Westy. This one is an '87 Syncro. A bit of work: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0