1971 VW Camper Van For Sale

The 71 is considered the best year for this model of VW van because it was the last year they retained the standard 1600cc duel-port “Super Beetle” engine and the first year that they included power-assist front disk brakes.  I have owned this vehicle for 13 years and have driven it 68,000 miles (it has always been either stored in a garage or covered).  It has been a very reliable and fun vehicle; I have taken it on numerous adventures and it has only been towed once since I have owned it.  This VW has been the love of my life and the only reason that I am selling it is because I now have a female companion (the new love of my life) who desires indoor plumbing so I am upgrading (downgrading?) to a Sprinter.

 

This is not a “showpiece” but rather a very simple, reliable and fun adventuremobile designed and built for being comfortable when traveling on the road.  It is not a Wesfalia tilt pop-up but rather a “west coast conversion” straight pop-up.  It is not the original interior but rather a Westfalia (1978-79, I’m guessing) interior.  It is a hybrid of superior features.

 

During the 13 years that I have owned it, I have replaced/rebuilt nearly everything mechanical and electrical (see list below).  I have also tricked it out with features like lighted cabinets, satellite radio, power outlet for a computer, an outdoor solar heated shower to rinse off after surfing, etc.

 

This van will be sold to the highest offer as of October 10, 2016.  If you are interested in purchasing this van, please submit your offer to aquarealm@gmail.com.  Once your offer is received, you will be placed on a mailing list that will inform you of other offers so that you can re-bid if necessary.  Any new offer must be at least $100 more than the previous offer.

 

If you would like to inspect the van in person, it will be available to view in southern California on the following dates/locations:

 

Sept. 23 - San Luis Obispo 

Sept. 24 - Santa Barbara/Ventura

Sept. 28 – Shelter Island, San Diego

Sept. 29 – Cardiff Beach, Cardiff by the Sea (Encinitas)

Sept. 30/Oct. 4 – Doheny State Beach

Oct. 5/6 – Encinitas

Oct. 7 – San Onofre State Beach

Oct. 8/9 – Newport Beach

 

All maintenance/mechanics records since 2003 will be provided.  During my ownership, the oil has been changed and valves adjusted every 3,000 miles.  This vehicle never needs to be smog-checked since it is over 30 years old.  DMV registration is only $82/year.  If you take care of this classic vehicle, it will only increase in value; it is just 5 years away from becoming pre-antique status.

 

Engine: Rebuilt Dec. 9, 2013 - 19,000 miles operating.  This is a custom engine built by a second generation VW mechanic. 

• 1699cc (the largest you can go without boring the case)

• Webber carburetor

• Compufire electronic ignition

• Heavy duty valve covers vented to breather box.

• Superstroker crank shaft

• 1-quart oil sump with built in strainer

 

Transaxle: Rebuilt March 2005 - 59,000 miles operating.

Brakes: Replaced master cylinder, booster, drums, disks (2013).

Clutch: 20,000 miles operating

Other parts replaced:

• Starter (2014)

• Steering Box (2013)

• Shocks (2014)

• Ball Joints (front end rebuilt 2009)

• Horn

• Headlights, tail lights, side lights.

• Turn signal indicator switch.

Additions:

• Tachometer

• Oil temperature guage

• Oil pressure guage

• Across-shoulder seat belts

 

Features:

• Sirius Satellite Radio (subscription good until May 2017) with remote so you can control from the rear of the van.  Internal AM/FM antennae (easier for taking car cover off and on).  Aux and USB inputs.

• Two skylights, one over the cockpit that vents, one in rear for good lighting (has internal shade cover).

• Oversized driver and passenger chairs for comfortable riding.

• Dual 12 volt batteries, one for starting the engine, the other for everything else (even radio and cigarette lighter/USB plugs).  The auxiliary battery is a deep-cycle gel battery.  I have camped for 5 days without running out of power and without worry of being able to start the engine (there is nothing to drain the engine battery). There is a switch to jump start the engine from the auxiliary battery if needed.

• Inverter to power 110v electronics such as a computer.

• 110-volt “shore power” connection, via extension cord.  There is a trickle charger in the system to charge batteries (and allow you to use 12-volt system) when connected to a 110-volt source.

• Full sliding curtains for 100% privacy (stealth camping).  It takes less than a minute to open up all curtains.

• Flexiteek flooring.  This is durable plastic, not wood; it’s what they use on mega-yachts.

• Propane space heater with thermostat (next best thing to having a fireplace).

• 2.5 gal. external GoWesty propane tank with outside hose for stove/BBQ/lantern.

• Built-in, self-draining, ice box.  A block of ice will last for days. 

• Sink with running water.  The fresh water reservoir is a 4 gal. solar shower bag with quick-disconnect.  Just pull it out and refill at any hose/sink and replace.  For hot water, place the bag out in the sun until hot then re-connect.

• Outdoor shower from sink, just stand outside of the window near the sink.  Great for rinsing off after a surf session now that water is turned off at most beaches.

• Lighted cabinets.  Lights automatically come on when you open cabinet doors.

• Removable cabinet.  The cabinet inside of the sliding door easily removes (2 wing nuts) if you want more space inside.  I usually put it outside when camping.

• Pop-up lifts straight up for lots of space.  There is no longer a bed up there, I use it as a gear loft so that there is plenty of room to sleep downstairs on the pull-out bed.  It allows you to stand up at the sink area and makes it easy to dress (put on/take off your wetsuit).

• Anti-sway (roll) bar for better handling in wind.

• Removable Thule roof rack with Inno locking surfboard racks.

• Front windshield sun shade

• Tire chains

• Car Cover

•  Built-in bike rack.

• Spare parts (clutch cable, throttle cable, valve cover gaskets, fuel filters, etc.)

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Note: I am using this "auction" method of selling this vehicle because I have no idea what it is worth; there is no Blue Book value to go by.  They say that something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it so I am using this method for price discovery.