Though sometimes a certifiably blah color, on certain cars brown can really hit the spot. See Steve McQueen’s 250 GT Lusso. The log-shaped Vanagon is no Lusso, but it’s the kind of color that helps it blend into its chosen habitat: the forest. Black Benz wheels and other details blend into the forest floor while a new-to-it wasserboxer of unstated mileage helps it get into the wild. Plenty of reasonable maintenance and replacements make it ready to go immediately, but small rough spots around the edges keep it from being anything more than a like-original, slightly dinged van. In the days of $100k Vanagons, how much is that worth?
Click for details: 1984 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia on eBay
Year: 1984
Model: Vanagon Westfalia
Engine: 2.1 liter flat-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 123,000 mi
Price: $21,000 OBO
We call the handsome fella’ Doc Brown in honor of the mid 80’s classic Back to the Future. We don’t want to part with him, but we are small business owners and our business has been slow this last quarter, so we’re (regrettably) doing what has to be done. This van is the perfect candidate for a complete restoration. He deserves a great home!
Doc runs like a champ. He recently had an engine transplant/upgrade to a used, well-maintained, fabulously functioning, 2.1L Wasserboxer (water-cooled) gas engine. We have experienced no overheating and fabulous general functioning since the operation. In the past 3 months, Doc has also received front and rear brake hoses, new brake lines, front calipers, thermostat, coolant tank and hoses, upgraded fuel lines, upgraded wheels (now 16″ Mercededs allow rims) and new Goodyear tires. He has a brand new windshield, new wipers (Bosch Direct Connect). Original round headlight style with upgraded lamps. Oil change within the last 500 miles.
Prior to purchasing Doc, his pop top canvas was professionally replaced with high quality Sunbrella canvas and he got a new beige pop top headliner.
Doc has all his original interior including all curtains present and accounted for and all seats with original upholstery. Carpet in passenger area is covered with a custom-cut rubber mat. All appliances present, accounted for and in working order, and has stock front driver and passenger swivel seats.
Stock A/C not working, and as with most VW vans of this era, Doc has a ding in the rear passenger-side quarter panel. Minor surface scratches in paint. Doc’s color is original, but he’s been repainted at some point. Wear on interior door handles.
I’d probably change the name and a few worn cosmetic pieces, but other than that it’s a pretty ship-shape Westy. It would be prudent to learn more about the engine’s history before making any offer at all. It seems well-sorted overall, but is it nice enough for the $21k Buy It Now? I’m not sure about that, but high teens seems reasonable.
-NR
