It needs to be said straight away, that I’m a wagon nerd. My first car was a wagon, and I drive one today almost 20 years later. Throw in the fact that I’m a vintage VW enthusiast, and this car pushes all of the right buttons with me.
In 1973, VW decided to experiment with a technology that was “foreign” to them…the radiator. With the introduction of the B1 Passat in Europe, VW used the Audi 80 platform for their first water-cooled offering to replace the aging Type 4.   Rebadged as the Dasher for the US market in 1974, these cars were sold as a premium import wagon with prices well above the competition. This is probably why they were late to hit their stride in the US, and why the B1 Dashers are as uncommon as they come. Even more uncommon are clean examples like this one for sale in Hood River, Oregon. It’s no surprise to me that such a clean example is available in the PNW, as it seems to be a safe haven for clean original water-colled VWs.
1977 VW Dasher Wagon on thesamba.com
Up for sale is my 1977 VW Dasher Wagon Wolfsburg Edition. It’s a manual 4-speed, Fuel Injected, 5-door, front wheel drive. This Dasher is NOT diesel. This car is in lovely shape. Daily driver and I would drive it anywhere. Completely stock, original paint. Minimal rust or dent issues. It has 113,000 original miles on it. I bought the car from the original owner. I have meticulous records of every fill up and oil change that this car has gone through since 1977. The car has the original factory window tinting, which is actually steel mesh screens that are mounted inside, over the windows. Plus it has the steel mesh sun shades on each rear passenger window. These actually pull down and retract. Original stereo, original clock, original upholstery, which looks really good, original carpet, which also looks really good. It’s missing one piece of chrome trim, over the front right wheel well (see picture). I’ve kept this car perfectly maintained and replaced parts as needed to keep it in running order. I’ve driven this car to Seattle and back recently (about a 600 mile round trip from where I live) and it ran perfectly. I’ve recently given it a tune up, which includes: new valve cover gasket, new fuel filter, new oil filter, fresh oil, tranny flush w/ new tranny fluid, new plugs, new plug wires, new air filter, new cap, new rotor, new points, so this car is ready to go. The car also has a fairly new set of really nice Toyo 800 ultra tires, with probably 75% tread life left. Also includes a pair of snow chains and the Bentley shop manual. Below is a list of new parts that I’ve had installed over the last six months. I have receipts for everything. These cars don’t really exist anymore, so putting a price on this car is very difficult. I’m asking $3,900, which I think is extremely fair. I have much more invested into it. I’m selling because of personal financial reasons. Clear Oregon title in hand. Cash only. No financing or trades please. If you’re looking for a really cool old car, but also something very practical, this is it. Please email, call or txt if you want to come take a look or take a test drive. Thanks shaneb@dakine.com or 425-501-1552
BRAND NEW PARTS INSTALLED in the last six months (last 1,000 miles):
-IGNITION COIL -WINDOW WASHER PUMP -WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR -CV BOOTS -DECELERATOR VALVE -AUXILIARY AIR VALVE -ALTERNATOR
-ALTERNATOR PULLEY -ALTERNATOR BELT -FUEL PUMP RELAY -VALVE COVER GASKET KIT -INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH -TUNE UP PARTS (PLUGS, PLUG WIRES, FUEL FILTER, AIR FILTER, OIL FILTER, DISTRIBUTOR CAP, POINTS, ROTOR, WIPER BLADES)
With an asking price of $3900 this car is a bargain at $1300 below average retail.   This car is a great buy for the VW enthusiast that is looking for an early water-cooled car, and doesn’t want to pay the astronomical prices people are asking for MK1 rabbits in the same condition. With water-cooled VWs on the climb, all be it a slow climb in recent years, whoever buys this should have no problem selling it on in the future for what they have in to it. Seeing this car makes me wish I had an extra slot in my garage.
-Brian
The samba ad has been removed – probably sold it already. Not surprised, of course. Love these early “Passat” wagons!
Larry, considering how clean that car is, I’m not surprised at all it sold so quickly either.