1987 Volkswagon Vanagon Westfalia Full Camper Van

Meet ‘Austin’, the lovingly restored and aggressively upgraded 1987 Vanagon Westfalia. Austin packs in all the original Westfalia nostalgia with the perks of a modern overlanding machine! This original #VanLife vehicle will fulfill all your wanderlust dreams - guaranteed! Want to travel to a remote, hard to reach boondocking site - Austin’s got ya covered! Want to winter camp and make first tracks at your local ski resort - Austin loves the snow! Want to flash a peace sign while passing other Vanagon’s on the mountain passes - Austin will make them jealous! This rear engine, rear wheel drive, high clearance Tiico powered machine is remarkably capable, and ready to create your adventure memories well off the beaten path.

If you’re not the type of person who enjoys stares, waves of affirmation, and random conversations with strangers who are curious about your awesome van, then Austin isn’t your Vanagon. But for those personalities who like to turn heads and illicit intrigue, Austin drives and camps like a dream. I have meticulously maintained and upgraded this van over the past 11-years at a cost of more than $38k (excluding original purchase price, and my labor hours), resulting in what countless VW mechanics have affirmed as an impeccably clean machine. In addition to being mechanically sound, all camper functions work as designed (even the fridge).

Austin is pretty fantastic, but not perfect, after all this is a 35-year-old classic VW with 283k miles on the body, and 137k on the Tiico engine (51k since last complete rebuild), and 21k miles on the rebuilt manual transmission. This van was also in a minor rear-end fender-bender accident as noted on the vehicle report — see attached picture from accident. That said, know that you can buy with total confidence - transparency is important to me. I will provide a thorough and honest report, to include current CarFax and copy of clean title. I’m happy to FaceTime, send more pics, and/or answer any of your questions via phone/email. I am also more than happy to provide a full run down of how to operate this totally rad van. You should also know this is my second Vanagon Westfalia (I have over 15 years of Westy ownership), so I know these vans pretty well.

Quick note, for those who might recognize this van from a previous listing, know that I recently moved to DC, so this formerly west coast van is now available on the east coast. Also, more importantly, in the past few months I have upgraded the Tiico engine with a new ‘3rd generation’ Electronic Control Unit (ECU), A2 fuel rail, throttle body, fuel lines, O2 sensor, spark plugs and wires, distributor cap/rotor, fuel/oil filters, etc. As noted above, the Tiico last had a full top end overhaul 51k miles ago, and is running strong (absolutely no leaks or issues). Another note, the A/C compressor was just replaced, and the system restored to blow cold air. This van is fully ready to hit the road for a fall (or year-round) adventure!

Below is a comprehensive list of projects I’ve undertaken. Invoices are available for most projects:

- High-power headlights kit upgrade (2013)

- Steering rack and components replaced (2013)

- Yakima Roof Rack (2013)

- Re-Sealed Fuel Tank and replaced all fuel lines

- Full Tiico engine top end rebuild (seals, gaskets, o-rings, etc) (2014)

- New Shurflo sink faucet and water pump (2014)

- Propex propane Heater and Thermostat Kit (2014)

- GoWesty LP Tank (2014)

- GoWesty Auxiliary Battery Kit (2014) and new LiFePO4 50Ah 2nd Battery (2021)

- Power Inverter and New Fuse Panel (2014)

- GoWesty Progressive Front & Rear Springs installed (2016)

- GoWesty Enhanced Bilstein Shocks installed (2016)

- GoWesty South African Grille Kit installed (2017)

- GoWesty Upper Mattress Topper (2017)

- Transmission total rebuild (2018)

- New internal camper water hoses (2018)

- GoWesty Hookup Box Replacement Bundle for all hookups (2018)

- Comprehensive rust repair, cropped/removed rusted panel, treated seem rust. (2019)

- Complete windows out blast and repaint (2019)

- Wheels, mirrors, handles, windshield wipers, etc all prepped, primed & painted (2019)

- Original plywood subfloor removed, undercarriage primed/painted, rust treated, and new underlayment/floor installed. (2019)

- All interior walls and doors soundproofed with Rattle Trap and Boom Mat spray-on sound damper. (2019)

- All interior walls and doors insulated with Denim Insulation. (2019)

- GoWesty rear Area Mat (2019)

- Front suspension system rebuilt w/ all new rubber (2020)

- Front brakes, rotors, pistons and stainless hydraulic brake lines system (2020)

- Alpine stereo with BlueTooth and hands-free calling and 8” subwoofer (2020)

- New Toyo Open Country A/T P215/75R15 tires (2021).

- Additional rust removal, partial repaint and seam seal due to fender bender (2021)

- GoWesty Front and Rear heavy duty plate steel bumpers (2021)

- California CARB exhaust with new O2 sensor and muffler (2021)

- New deep cycle engine start battery (2021)

- Pop-top Canvas (2022)

- Pop-top paint, gaskets and decals (2022)

- Luggage rack paint, seals and decals (2022)

- Front windshield wiper arms and blades (2022)

- Full window tint (all windows except windshield) (2022)

- Headlights (high and low beam) all upgraded to LED (2022)

- Tiico engine overhaul w/ new ECU, ECM, fuel rail, fuel lines, throttle body, O2 sensor, plugs and wires, cap and rotor, etc (2023)

- A/C compressor replaced, system pressurized and leak checked. (2023)

Other upgrades and improvements completed by the previous owner:

- Tiico 2.0L engine (higher horsepower engine from South Africa – reliable and fast)

- K&N Air Filter

- Custom upholstery throughout w/ upgraded/custom rear bench head rests

- Front Carpet Kit

- Black Rubber Front Mats

- Shady Boy Awning

- Smoked turn signals and rear lights

- All interior lights upgraded to LED, w/ custom blue LED interior vanity lighting

- All Door and Window Seals replaced

Future Work Items that are not urgent but may be desired by new owner:

- Power mirrors (inop since purchase, I just manually adjust)