Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 18:12:09 -0700
Reply-To: stacy beard <stacybeard@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: stacy beard <stacybeard@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: My First Westy!
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Hello folks,
After years of wanting one, I finally bought my first Westy (and first VW)
a few weeks ago - a dream come true! It is a 1983 Vanagon Westfalia Pop-Top,
green, named "the Westy" (no, not very original). Here's a link to photos:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=1309pjkb.2hwt7yvv&x=0&y=-a5h9op So far I
have camped at a state park in Northern California (the night I bought it,
awesome!) and the following weekend surprising friends who flew in for a
trip to Yosemite - a great surprise and a great trip!
I have been lurking on the list a couple of weeks now, not understanding
much, but learning some and enjoying the community. It is much more active
than I expected! Anyway, I thought folks might be willing to share tips
about some things I might want to fix. I would only do the work on very easy
items - all else will go to Fred's Garage in Redwood City, CA. I have seen
reference to an archive, but am not sure what archive people are referring
to - please direct me there! I have also found a lot of great links. Here's
what I know or have noticed since buying:
- Northern California vehicle, no rust.
- Original air-cooled engine. 70 mph on the highway, 30-35 up steeper
hills (think Yosemite)
- Broken odometer @ just over 110K, estimated mileage 118K. Do you
recommend getting it fixed? I'd kind of like to watch the mileage rack up
:-) I read in a post that the cost would be ~$300?
- No middle seat, holes in floor. Suggestions for blocking the holes?
Is that recommended?
- All the plastic wall and ceiling lining is removed or falling off.
Is this a problem? Do most other folks rip it out as well?
- Poptop seal needs to be glued back on. Suggestions on what to use?
- Where to put my drinks?!?!?!!? Have already found lots of info on
this one...
- I am still trying to sort out how to use the stove, sink and fridge.
I'll figure it out, and ask any specific questions later. Have already
learned a lot about the fridge from some posts - thanks!
- Can't open sliding door from the outside - no biggie really, makes
it more secure from thieves!
- No A/C, starts getting hot in temps 85 and above. Is it worth
considering A/C installation? Approx cost?
- Tires will need to be replaced next year - have already seen some
good tips on the list, thanks!
- Does anybody know where can find out which colors were available in
1983? I found a link that had other years listed, but not 1983. I'd like to
find out exactly what the name of my color is, although I am guessing it was
just called "green".
Here's what I already had fixed, before heading to Yosemite:
- Rear hatch struts replaced
- Oil change; oil tank leak fixed
- Gas tank leak fixed
- New front brake pads
Thanks everybody. My favorite moment so far was the day after I bought it,
my excitement still at the very high end of the spectrum, and I was driving
back home leisurely through wine country... the driver of an orange Vanagon
Westy waved to me... it felt like a welcome to the club. So, I'm looking
forward to waving to some of you folks soon!
Cheers all,
Stacy
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