Late 1983 VW Vanagon Westfalia w/ Rebuilt 1.8L Porsche 914 Boxer Engine

1983 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Westfalia

Technical specifications of Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon 1983

Price: -
Condition: Used
Item location: Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Bus/Vanagon
Type: Van Camper
Trim: Westfalia
Year: 1983
Mileage: 175250
VIN: 00000000000000000
Color: Tan
Engine size: 1.8L H4 Porsche 914
Number of cylinders: 4
Power options: A/C Ready (Needs Water Cooled Engine)
Fuel: gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: White
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Safety options: Seat Belts
Options: CD Player
Vehicle Title: Clean
You are interested? Contact the seller!

Car description

I have come to the hard decision that it's time to sell the Bus. I've had so much fun with my Westy, but it's time for it to take somebody else on adventures, somebody with more time and money than myself.

I know it's not much of a looker on the outside, but it's whats on the inside that counts! When I bought this Van, it didn't run for more than 30 minutes before smoke would start coming out of it like the school bathroom at lunch. But, after hours of labor and the expertise of Vintage Works in Safety Harbor, Florida, this Vanagon will go wherever you point the steering wheel (until you run out of gas of course).

I'm not exaggerating either, I have driven and camped with the bus at the 2019 Florida Bug Jam, Daytona International Speedway, Ginnie Springs, Fort Desoto Beach, Westgate River Ranch, and all the way up to Starke Florida. Four of those trips were over 300 mile long, but the Vanagon was running great and ready for more at the end of it.

It does NOT have the stock Wasserboxer engine because, as one of the drawbacks of being the first of a kind, were prone to blowing up. One of the previous owner's replaced that engine with a rebuilt, air-cooled 1.8L H4 engine from a 1973 Porsche 914. The new" engine is capable of producing about 90 HP and, despite the extra 25 HP, gives the Van a top speed of around 73 MPH (eventually), great for the Interstate!

The Water cooled components are still there, so this Vanagon would make an excellent candidate for a Subaru EJ25 engine swap. With the water cooled engine, the A/C and heat will work. Otherwise, you can turn the blower on, but it won't help that much in all honesty.

The following parts have been replaced:

Starter, Brake Booster, Fuel Lines, Fuel Filters, Tires (November 2019), Carburetor, multiple light bulbs, throttle cable and housing, Distributor and spark plug cables, multiple exhaust gaskets, Alternator and Battery. There may have been more, but they all had to be replaced around the same time due to mechanical mistakes made by past owners.

However, with all the time I put into the engine, I was forced to overlook the cosmetics. There is rust and small dents, but nothing bad on the under body (there are some spots but I have been assured by mechanics that it's nothing to worry about).

The tires are fairly new and are rated for commercial cargo vans. Definitely worth all of the $350 each that they cost!

This Vanagon comes withthe full Westfalia kitchenette, which includes

-Two-eye propane stove

-Sink w/13.2 Gallon water tank and fold down dish rack (water pump needs to be replaced)

-Multi-Power Mini Fridge that runs off of a 120V hookup, 12V power from auxiliary battery(not installed), or propane (with some finesse)

The fridge can operate off of the propanealone for 30 days without refilling the tank. This Van also has the Westfalia pop-uptent with 3 screened zipper windows and a foldout bed so you can sleep in thetent. The bed is big enough to fit 2 people and the main zipper window screencan also be unzipped to access the storage compartment on top of the van.

The pop-top canvas is completely intact (except for one screw at the top-right from the Vanagon's front) and has been well preserved. The top sleeps 2 and the bottom couch can sleep up to 4, depending on how chummy you want to get.

The passenger seats swivel around to face the rear and the tables can be swiveled to be either in front of the couch or between the two front seats.

Along with the Vanagon and it's paperwork, I will also throw in the blow-up mustache if you want. The wire that I used to tie it to the won't stay on the stache anymore, so you'll have to use something else to secure it.

You're welcome to the stickers and other decals as well if you'd like to add to them yourselves, but I can remove them upon purchase too if you wish.

I have an even more detailed description about this van available as well that I fit as much information about this Van as I could fit into 7 pages. Feel free to message me if you would like to take a look at it yourself!


VIN: WV2ZB0259DH089487. Ebay would not accept the actual VIN for some reason.
I will NOT accept Checks or other hand-written payment methods. Feel free to come pick him up in Saint Petersburg, Florida, he is 100% road legal and the brakes work fine! Otherwise, you will be required to provide another method of shipment. The car is As-Is and all issues too minor to be included here are available in the 7 page detailed description (which is available upon request and will be included with the car as well upon purchase), but I am available for any questions you have, including requests for specific pictures.
Again, feel free to contact me about any questions or concerns you have, there's nothing to hide!

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