First Westy - Original Owner '87

This is the first Westy I checked out. The original owner's son is selling it for his father. It has 157K miles and is in really clean condition, considering its age and mileage. Everything is there and in great running condition. It just seemed as if it could stand a decent going through of every bit to be pristine. Not a total restoration, rather a full one reconditioning and detail. The sheepskins protected the seat coverings. The car was still loaded with sundry camping items of the owner. Kinda funny, that. Little custom Pepboy addons were cute. Like the dash-mounted fan and altimeter gauge. The driver's side view mirror-mounted temp gauge and convex mirror. Stuff like that.























I thought the asking price of $13,900 was a tad high compared to the three-year-newer, lower mileage, better condition Westy of my friend, Craig's. The Quest Continues.

Craig's Westy Gets Me Started

I've had a thing for Westy's for years. Always thought the quirkyness was rather cool and the utilitarianism rather Bohemian. And for years, I would glance at the classifieds or search really quickly on eBay or Craigslist. But, when my buddy Craig pulled up in this 1990 Westy, I realized, the time was right for me to at least start looking around seriously and researching them out. Here it is along with the Samba listing for it. Though, Craig actually knew the owner and the Westy for a couple of years, so it didn't sell through any of the normal venues. It's in great shape. Low miles. And seems perfect for Craig and his lovely brides needs. Me, I'll need to add a fifth seat somehow. And I would like to have shoulder restraints at all seating positions. Kids, ya know?

The Quest Begins

It began with multiple kids. And multiple athletic activities. And hours upon hours of downtime at gyms and practice fields every week. The desire to have a place to crash and rest for the two hours it takes for a kid to attend practice. Two hours you spend sitting on a hard wooden bench watching girls flinch at flying basketballs. Or kids perfecting the lazy pushup. Whatever. I decided I needed a vehicle I could stretch out in and relax. Catch a few Z's. And maybe even get some work done in. I've looked at conversion vans. Always so pricey. And huge. I've thought of our minivan, but there's no place to really stretch out in. No, I need a bed. And maybe a table to work on. Hence, the Westy. Or, more specific, the Volkswagen Vanagon with a Westfalia pop-top conversion. Either camper or weekender model would suffice. A camper would be great for trips. A weekender more practical for around town with more seating room and sleeping area. Probably less weight, too.

This blog is to chronicle the thrill of the hunt. For my friends' sake, but mainly for me to keep a running log of vehicles I've checked out and my thoughts on them.