Looking for a late bay

[aarondonne]

Howdy,

My buddy dhoch14 aka Dave sent me here. My wife and I are looking to buy a late bay camper (automatic only). It'll be our first VW, and we're hopin to join the fam in-time for summer, so we're only considering ones in great to excellent condition (interior cosmetic stuff is fine). I've been scouring the samba and craigslist but haven't found what we're looking for, so I thought I'd see if this group has any leads or other recommendations for other places to look...but I imagine the name of the game is just keeping my eyes peeled.

Thanks!

Aaron

[ruckman101]

Welcome aarondonne, but alas, I am no help in your quest. Good luck.


neal

[Bleyseng]

Having your location (city, state) listed in your profile would help as I help locals out but don't brother with out of state as its usually a waste of time. That said there was 3 nice Westy's for sale I think at the Seattle Spring VW meet this weekend and so we missed that. Lots of folks don't partake of the online stuff so you have to look around hard.
What are you looking to pay?
With engine rebuilds looking to cost $4000 and up I would consider that a big plus or minus.
Painting the exterior costs about the same...without rust repairs $$$$
Nice stock interiors are getting harder to find too...
Why automatic? You can't drive a stick or is it a physical impairment? I am not fond of the VW automatics...

[TrollFromDownBelow]

Automatics are pretty rare, and Westy autos are even rarer..... if you are stuck on an auto, you might want to find an auto transporter, and then retrofit a camper interior. However, I've read the autos are decent "performers."

I would also keep an eye on ebay too. Like someone else said, post a location....if you find a bus that is local to one of us, and not so local to you, I'm sure you can get a volunteer to look at it for you.

[Kubelwagen]

Speaking of compromises, there's more Vanagons available with automatics it seems. You do lose some of the charm of the bay. But they may be more plentiful. They seem to go down the road fine per those who have them.

[TrollFromDownBelow]

Booyah!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Vol ... 1c3202809d

If the engine was rebuilt correctly, that is a very solid bus for the price.... one nice thing is that when you DO find an auto, they are typically cheaper than std shift.

[TrollFromDownBelow]

Just noticed this..."NO TITLE, JUST BILL OF SALE."

Some states won't issue titles for cars that are over 20 years old. If you find yourself in a situation like this, just be sure you get the registration with the owner's name on it. I ran into this once...was very fortunate - i bought on old caddy out of state and they had to mail the registration to me, which they did.

Happy Hunting. :)

[Kubelwagen]

For a real rarity: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volkswag ... 500wt_1182

[bajaman72]

For a real rarity: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volkswag ... 500wt_1182

I LOVE the blue plaid in this one.

The first one is NICE (for an auto)

[aarondonne]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and leads...this is great.

Here's some more info: we live in Seattle, but see ourselves back in OR at some point. I'm ok with searching within a thousand miles or so if needed...I could use some time on the road. We're willing to pay up to 16K, looking for something as reliable/restored as possible. My wife doesn't know how to drive a stick, but after talking to her today she's game for learning in order to make finding a late bay more possible.

Sad to hear that we just missed a Seattle show - any others this spring or summer in the NW?

Aaron

[bajaman72]

Welcome Aaron,
Lucky guy has a wife WILLING to learn to drive a stick. Mine refuses to learn :(

[aarondonne]

Thanks bajaman. it took me a while to even convince her into the idea of a bus - so I changed my strategy and we rented a '79 for a week in SoCal and ever since then there's been no need to convince her about anything

[Xelmon]

Ah, lovely family you guys make! And of course, welcome to the forum!

Ahhh, ok, cash is good, and that much will definitely get you a good ride.

That said, hop onto the Portland CL once in a while, all I've been seeing are steaming piles of... Crap?

*As he is browsing, he find this*

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/3752631162.html

Also, are you the one throwing up the "Looking for bus, up to 15K"?

[Westy78]

Welcome Aaron. When you say late bay I'm assuming you mean '77-'79? Where the interior cabinets are all against the drivers side like this?

[aarondonne]

Xelmon: no...I'm not the one posting that on CL. This is firs time I've thrown out our 'wanted' intention into cyberspace.

That's a beautiful '70 for sale. Are there any maintenance/reliability/functionality considerations with that year vs. a late bay? As a first time bus owner looking to put some mileage on a bus with a young family inside I've been steered by others to late bays, but I don't know enough myself to own that decision...so I'd love to hear any perspectives on that.

Westy78: exactly. that's a nice shot.