1983 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper w/ 2.2L Subaru – $20k in Ft. Collins, Colorado
Happy Friday Westy hunters. Today’s worthy specimen is this 1983 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper with a fresh 2.2L Subaru engine, manual transmission and unknown mileage on the body. The free eBay Auto Check report shows potentially five owners, with the odometer reading 103k miles in 2007. The current owners purchased it in 2011 and in 2012 Rocky Mountain Westy installed the Subaru 2.2L engine, which is now stated to have about a thousand miles. It may still have a warranty, definitely check here. eBay Link
Keep in mind California buyers this may be difficult to register in your area due to the fact it was not done with the CARB arrpoved Kennedy Engineering kit, so consult your local emissions shop or BAR Referee before considering this purchase.
The van comes in what appears to be the original aussan brown paint and is described as having a fully functioning sink, stove, fridge, Kenwood stereo, wood floors, original curtains, 15″ Audi wheels, original curtains and a few other upgrades. On the downside, it may need new suspension, at least up front. There’s also a list of mainly cosmetic issues, and a faulty tow hitch. I’d be a bit curious about the two hitch, to find out what they towed, as anything beyond a bike rack (even with the Subaru) isn’t a great idea.
Included in the sale is also a Yakima rack set up with four installed Yakima wide body bracket mounts, 4 towers, two bars, though the Kayak mount shown is not part of the package. Be sure to inspect the area around each of the mounts to the pop top, as it can crack due to heavy stress or improper installation.
What I’d do with this Westy if I had the cash? Order New Fox Shocks and Go Westy 1.5″ lift springs, new bushings up front, get some Rocky Mountain Westy Bumpers put on while you’re in Ft. Collins and have them install all the fun stuff you just bought as well.
A professionally down Subaru 2.2L engine swap is going to be at least $14k, and if this one only has 1,000 miles on it, you’ve likely got well over 100k miles left, if not 200k. If this is rust free, well running/driving fully functioning Westy, it’s worth at least $18k on the front range, if not more. What do you think it’s worth? Let us know in the comments below, or head on over to the individual posts about this Subaru powered Westy on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Google+ and share your wisdom there.
I am interested in taking a look at this posting
Who spends all the money to put a Subaru engine in and then only drives it 1000 miles in three years?! That sounds real shady to me, I’ve put 5K miles on mine since September. These are not typically garaged collectibles. People buy them to USE them. Otherwise, what’s the bloody point?
We gave a local shop that installs low mileage Subie 2.5 liter motors with the Small Car kit for under 8 grand. Jeebus! $14,000 is like over 10k Labor! Is that L.A. Pricing?
Nope, it’s because it comes with a fully rebuilt engine(not a JDM or pick and pull), new SS coolant lines, radiator, etc, new SS exhaust, a warranty, and more.
But 14 grand? Id save half and have an engine with 36k. That’s still a massive profit margin regardless. This one has a new stainless exhaust, radiator replacement and a tge SS lines? I just missed it in the reading likely.