Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
Vanagons can be found for cheap or ludicrously expensive, but today’s restored Westfalia seems to be the right van for the right price. From an updated interior (check out those front seats!) to a 2.3 liter GoWesty engine update, it’s a fully-functioning camper that needs nothing (except maybe some new wheels). It’s not a bonkers Syncro mega-worldrover, but it is clean and well-done. $35k isn’t cheap, but it’s a reasonable price in the Westfalia world, especially considering the work done here.
One of my favorite cars from the 1980s that has seems relegated to obscurity these days – at least in the US – is the Volkswagen Scirocco. This isn’t too surprising, as it has been 27 years since the last one left showrooms. Like the Karmann Ghia which preceded it, its underpinnings came from rather humble origins but strove to attract the VW shopper who wanted something perhaps a little bit more sporty and unique. Late in its life, the Scirocco got a shot in the arm by way of the 1.8 liter 16 valve engine and some styling tweaks such as monochrome bumpers and fancier alloys. This 1987 Scirocco 16V for sale in California isn’t original, but has benefitted from a thorough refresh to ensure it is on the road for a good number of years to come.
Survivors are a mixed bag; for whatever reason, it seems that most often it’s not the most desirable cars that pop up as survivors but the more odd, off color base models that appear. A few weeks ago I looked at a 1989 Volkswagen Golf GL; clean, original, and rare to see these days, it’s unfortunately not the car most are looking for. Back up a generation to the Rabbits, though, and more people seem interested in them. Perhaps it’s because few remain in clean, original shape – or perhaps it’s because they have more character than the second generation Golf. Either way, there’s no denying the charm of seeing a now 32 year old Rabbit looking like it just rolled out of a dealer service area in 1987:
The last few months I’ve found myself examining all manner of Vanagons, from aged DoKas to pristine GoWesty Syncro Westfalias, but today’s 7-passenger Syncro is an interesting case. Aesthetically, it’s not all that, with some ill-fitting wheels and lackluster paint. Inside, the non-camping setup is contrary to my intended use. However, the Syncro 4WD is an awesome option box that usually comes with a huge price tag. It’s covered well under 100k miles, and has my favorite of all Vanagon grills, the South African quad-light setup. The asking price is a mere fraction of what most Syncros go for, making this all-terrain Vanagon a pretty decent deal and a solid starting point for the intrepid adventurer.
Several Karmann Ghias are still kicking around my area in various states of care. One looks like it’s been daily driven since the early 70s, missing a few pieces of trim but still perfectly functional with no noticeable rust. One is almost entirely patina, like a rat rod but not trying so hard. The last is the rarest to see but still out there, perfectly clean, curvaceous, and complete.
Today’s beautiful Castilian Yellow example is on the latter end of the spectrum thanks to covering just under 50k miles in 47 years. The tan and chrome suit these cars well, and it’s hard to believe that the original paint can shine like this. The interior similarly looks perfectly vintage but hardly used. The wooden luggage rack is a cute look, but not for everyone. Ghias are beautiful and desirable cars, headturners for even the uninitiated and easy to maintain and modify thanks to their Beetle roots. If you’re collecting with an eye on resale value, a low-mileage original is the way to go.