Test-driving my first air-cooled VW tomorrow

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
12/21/2015 at 12:48 • Filed to: None

I have a hippie roommate and he’s made up his mind that he has to own a 1969 Volkswagen Westfalia. I usually talk people out of buying these because they’re even slower and more sketchy on the highway than most other 60’s vans but I think it’s the right car for him.

I found an original, one-owner 1969 Westy for sale here in TO with minimal rust and I’ll have a look at it tomorrow. Might have an old hippie bus on my patio very soon. Would look cool sharing a driveway with my 1969 Chrysler.

Anyone here knowledgeable with these? What do I have to look for when inspecting other than the usual old-car stuff?

DISCUSSION (6)

vicali > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
12/21/2015 at 12:55

Go register on thesamba,

read these;
http://www.vwcamperguide.com/html/bay_windo…

http://www.busdepot.com/buyers-guide/

Have fun, look for rust in the doglegs and behind the kitchen..

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > vicali
12/21/2015 at 12:57

Great advice, thanks!

Sam > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
12/21/2015 at 12:58

They’re barely hippie buses anymore with how much they cost. Now they’re like the hipster version of a mega-RV for rich people.

McMike > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
12/21/2015 at 13:05

I was going to tell you to race to The Samba, but someone beat me to it.

This thing just isn’t an 46 year-old car, it also consists of 46 year old used camping equipment.

There’s a tent, two mattresses, a propane tank, pressure regulator, valves, and burners. There’s a tent and a screen. There’s a sink with water lines, pump, drain, fresh water tank. There are kitchen cabinets, with latches, hinges, etc.. Does this model have a three-way fridge?

Lots of stuff to look at.

KnowsAboutCars > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
12/21/2015 at 13:06

They might be slow and sketchy but air cooled VW’s have big aftermarket support so one can remedy those issues relatively easily compared to some other vintage vans.

Übel > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
12/21/2015 at 13:07

Rusty rust rusty rusty rust and rust. Beyond that, make sure it’s running on all cylinders (the #3 exhaust valve has a habit of burning out) and that it’s not leaking oil excessively. Check the rubber fuel lines for leaks VERY thoroughly, and if you do buy it, replace those IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT trust the rubber fuel hose. Air cooled dubs, and buses especially, have a pretty solid tradition of self immolation if the hoses aren’t in good nick, and the ethanol in modern fuel eats through them over time.

Edit: also make sure the engine tin is fully intact. Missing pieces = overheating. These engines are very airflow sensitive.