1981 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper Subaru 2.2L Engine + Extras $17k in Los Angeles, CA
Here’s a tough one. Selling a car in a state where you can’t actually register said car. Bummer. The current owner has a home in Arizona, where it is currently registered, though they are in California at the moment. This Van is a 1981 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper w/ a Subaru 2.2L engine (200k miles), manual transmission and 220k on the body. The current owner has had it for a couple of years, but is moving out of the country at the end of the month. This is a mega bonus when negotiating price. Storing this for a year or more would be expensive, especially in Southern California. The seller states this van was overhauled and resorted in 2009, it appears to have had quite a lot of upgrades. They currently have it up for acction on eBay with a Buy It Now of $18k, but Here’s what stands out to me.
Pros.
- Subaru EJ22 2.2L Engine. This was done with the Kennedy Conversion kit parts, but with an OBDII motor, which makes it pretty much impossible to pass smog. However, it’s a bad ass engine if done right. It’s at 200k miles, so it might need maintenance at some point.
- South African Grill & Headlights. Much brighter and cooler looking that the originals.
- GoWesty 16″ Wheels. While there are some drawbacks with bigger wheels, I feel the pros outweigh the cons, especially with the Subaru engine.
- The seller holds 30k in receipts dating back to 1995. Proof it’s been well cared for.
- It seems to have the original tent canvas, which is in really good shape for being 35 years old, well cared for.
- Looks to have an upgraded fridge, though I can’t tell which kind. Make sure all the kitchen appliances and propane work.
Potential Cons.
- California and possible other states won’t let it pass smog, sorry.
- It’s an ’81, pretty old, and depending on what was upgraded, I think these may have had a poor shift linkage design that doesn’t shift as smooth as it later model counterparts.
- If you live in the South West, Rockers or PNW, this rig might be the one you’re looking for. Sorry California :(.
- While it is an 81, it’s hard to find a nice well cared for Subuaru conversion for under $20k.
The Auto Check report provided by eBay only works on post 1981 VINs, but it appears one might be able to look up the VIN WV2ZA0259BH129549 on CarFax? $17k is a decent price, however with risk and cost of storing it, the seller might go for 1k-2k less, you never how. Then again, it’s already at a fairly low price, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes for $17k soon. What do you think it’s worth? Have you seen this van before? Going to see it? Tell us below in the comments, or jump on over to the individual discussions about this Westy on Facebook, Instagram, Twittter or Pinterest.
This guy is your long lost brother, that you haven’t seen in years… There is no smog requirement in an interfamily exchange….
Since it’s an 81 (why on Earth would someone do this to an 81, and not an 85+?!?) and has already 200k on the 2.2 (it will need a complete overhaul soon).. And I’ve seen msny conversions going from 2.2’s, to 2.5’s, to even a 1.8t for the same or less money.. AND it cannot be smogged or DEQ in the West Coast? 13 grand, to a very special niche of a buyer.
where in LA can it be seen I need pics of interior and motor compartment (i live in san fernando valley)