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I own an Italian Import '72 Westfalia and it's wicked..

My main piece of advice is this... Don't buy a UK one..

Either look at an OZ or US or alternative dry climate van..

Simple as that really... Engines, mechanics, etc can be easily sorted.. RUST and ROT is bad.

Evan

I have a 1970's VW camper van and have had him for about 3 years before that had a number of other vans and Beetles and have learnt a lot along the way!

Firstly welding is not cheap - a decent welder can make up aa price and double it and the number of people that buy vans and realise they can't do them up is shocking. A decent van may cost you upwards of £8k but a resto may cost you double or even treble that!

Secondly there is a common misconception that import vans are solid this is not always the case and depends where the van has come from. A Cali van or one from near the sea can be as rotten as a Uk van.

Get the best you can afford but make sure you take someone with you who knows what they are looking for. Common repair bodges include overlapping panels and filling over rot.

My van is a German import (no clever joked here) he literally was imported here a few years back from Germany so is a LHD etc. He is very original but like any old van has his issues and foibles and you do end up talking to them so be warned peopel will think you insane.

By all means looka t shows but the prices tend to be vastly overinflated particularly as summer heads on in and people think a Vw camper is the latest must have.

I am not sure if its ok to recommend places but its always worth having a look at

Vw Relics

FBI VW

Rods Aussie VW's

but if you fancy a challenge and know someone who can advise you check out thesamba.com which is an American site that will show you hundreds of VW's for sale (although mostly in America)

Its also worth deciding what conversion you want, my personal favourite is the Westfalia (though my van isn't one) followed by the Dormobile but it is personal preference. Worth checking out the books by Dave Eccles that do model by model guides.

Em

Quote: Originally posted by meenid on 10/7/2007

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My van is a German import (no clever joked here) he literally was imported here a few years back from Germany so is a LHD etc. He is very original but like any old van has his issues and foibles and you do end up talking to them so be warned peopel will think you insane.

Its also worth deciding what conversion you want, my personal favourite is the Westfalia (though my van isn't one) followed by the Dormobile but it is personal preference. Worth checking out the books by Dave Eccles that do model by model guides.

 

Em

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Hi Em, our old girl is a LHD german import too! (westfalia and original).....it is not insane to talk to your camper, they are after-all part of the family!....we say hello to molly (that's her name owing to her german number plate started MOL) every morning, and give her a pat when she makes it through a long journey without a hitch, my kids give her a hug round her front mounted spare wheel everyday.  We congratulate her each year on MOT day as she has passed with flying colours every year since we have had her (about 5 years now).....she makes us smile, even the rest of our family refer to her by her name, couldn't imagine life without our '72 westy.....best thing we have ever done....I'm not crazy honest!

Cool its weird that if you have one you understand the talking ot them thing - f you don't people think you are crackers

Not sure Rich knows what he is letting himself in for my Vw tends to get a lot of attention and he's not a vw fan but informs me if he can drive military vehicles he can drive anything!!! Hehe he'll have fun finding out

The Westie is by far the best stanard vw camper conversion you must be proud

Em

Quote: Originally posted by meenid on 10/7/2007

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The Westie is by far the best stanard vw camper conversion ..............

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Ahem, I beg to differ, but then as a dormobile owner I would!! ;-)

Quote: Originally posted by Bust on 11/7/2007

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Quote: Originally posted by meenid on 10/7/2007

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The Westie is by far the best stanard vw camper conversion ..............

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Ahem, I beg to differ, but then as a dormobile owner I would!! ;-)

 

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The Dormie is a great conversion but its the bed level that puts me off! I only say Westie as the build quality of the interior is amazing and the full width rock and roll bed is awesome!

 

I did say I liked the Dormie though - used to own a Dormie Split!

 

E

Hi, all Vee Dubs involve lots of work, unless you can afford one that has been done for you, by an obsessed owner. Lots of owners are obsessed of course, thats the nature of the beast. I couldn't afford a really good one, but spent 7 years bringing my 71 bay upto a very nice standard but even then it wasn't perfect, I had neither the time or the money back then, & the camper was our only transport. For all it's faults though, I still reckon it was the most fun I have ever had, & would gladly turn back the clock & have another, should I find myself with the room for two vehicles. Good luck with your hunt, Volksworld magazine may give you a feel for what's out there, & for what price.

                        Not having VeeDub doesn't bother me !