Volkswagen : Bus/Vanagon 4 door

I bought this van on eBay 7 years ago and since then have done a lot to preserve it because a) I love it. It's super fun to drive. people wave at me all the time. If I had a dollar for every person who told me "oh I always wanted one of these. " And b) the air-cooled engine is actually pretty easy to maintain -if you're mechanically inclined. Parts are readily available and reasonably priced. I get most of my stuff from Scott at German Supply in Toronto. This engine does require regular maintenance - not unlike a Harley Davidson. you have to be on the oil all the time and they all leak - a little.
Knowing nothing about air-cooled engines when I bought this van I discovered (the hard way) it had in it what came to be known as the " Frankenmotor. " Someone had made a bad job of piecing together VW and Porsche parts - yes. they go together! In fact. the van has comfy. adjustable electric Porsche seats and 15" Porsche wheels with new good rubber. (The original 14" wheels and rims come with the van).  I went through a lot of misery with Frankenmotor and finally replaced it with the current refurbished ( as in. nice n clean with new distributor. condenser. points. plugs and wires. filters) 2. 0L engine that was originally fuel injected but now has two 4 -barrel carburetors. The in-town gas mileage isn't great but on the open road she soars with plenty of giddy-up! This motor is running great and quiet with good exhaust - no holes in heat exchangers or muffler but as this is not a new muffler I expect it will need to be replaced in the next couple of years.
The brakes work good - good enough to pass a safety this summer. I replaced the master cylinder a few years ago and replaced brake light switches in September. Probably going to need shoes soon. Steering is good - repaired some linkage 2 years ago. Also rebuilt the starter 2 years ago. Rebuilt clutch 3 years ago. Just replaced the accelerator cable. The suspension is good. Recently changed CV joints. Again. nothing came up in recent safety inspection.
The only issue during recent safety was lack of heat which has never been a problem for me as I have never winter driven this vehicle in northern Ontario - a few winters in Mexico but that's another story.  There is presently enough heat going from engine to dash to keep windshield clear and. I believe. safe in moderately cold. damp weather.  
Ahhh. the tranny. As long as I have driven this van the tranny has popped-out of reverse. I just try to avoid backing-up uphill and so far so good. Eventually it will be time for a new tranny. Otherwise it shifts smooth.
The underside of van is completely solid having recently patched a spot in the frame behind passenger wheel and on drivers side where frame meets rocker - couple of the usual spots. The front floor pan is solid but rusty and. I've been told. not a big deal to replace. This will have to be done eventually. Speaking of the usual spots. underneath the windshield has been rebuilt (a costly endeavour) and the rubber replaced. There is no water getting in now. The rest of the body is in pretty good shape with a few rusty patches- the one in the photo being the worst - and a little bondo here and there. Really would not take much now to get it ready for paint.  
The camper top goes up and down nice. There is a tear in the canvas which has never kept me awake but that could be because the beds are so solid and comfy. The window-flap zippers. long ago siezed. I imagined jimmy-rigging with Velcro but this never happened. Heck. I was too busy making the van safe and good to go to worry about the little things. I did. however. get around to powder-coating the stove so it will never rust and it works awesome with the propane tank underneath. I found the sink unnecessary and why bother with a fridge when a cooler will do- then you have something to sit on at the little flip-up table out the slider door- which slides great. by the way. Oh ya. I also never got around to fixing the gas gauge though there is a latch that'll let you at the sending unit which is apparently fixable. I myself just count the miles. and miles. I've put on a few- southern Mexico and back 3 times but. alas. that 7 year itch - may be time to put down roots. We'll see what happens.
Low reserve and no Buy it Now price as this is an auction. I may have time and gumption to deliver her though weather is a factor up here right now so please have your finances in order if you're bidding and only bid if you're serious. Otherwise buyer is responsible for shipping and receiving. A $500. 00Cnd deposit is required within 24 hrs of auction close via email transfer (Canada) or PayPal. Thanks for looking and good luck!

Also published at eBay.ca

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