Date:         Fri, 25 Aug 2017 08:15:51 -0400
Reply-To:     Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      soft offer to sell my 86 Westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I have really just started on the path to selling this van in the next few
months. I've had it since 2001. it's an 86 w/ about 225k miles. It started
life as a Wolfsburg "weekender" and I bought an 85 full westy and
transferred the interior to it.  Most of the interior is in very good
condition.  It has very little rust for the age, and has been in a couple
minor accidents.  One while I have had it where a ford escort turned left
in front of me from the right lane and I plowed into the rear quarter
panel.  The front panel was replaced and I took the opportunity to backdate
the headlights to the round ones from the '85.  The PO backed into a tree
with the back hatch open and it was replaced.  The paint job on that was
rather thin and you can see some blue through the gold.  I mean Savannah
Beige Metallic, that the rest of the van is.  (the paint is quite good for
its age)  I've found paint evidence of an accident in the area of the fuel
filler but that appears to have been minor or very well repaired.  The
original chrome bumpers are pretty beat up.  It has the hitch on the back
that attaches to the tow loops.  The original canvas has a few small tears
and the screen in it is in bad shape. The skylight mechanism works poorly
but does work.  The skylight gasket leaked a bit at some point so there are
some water stains on the ceiling.  That caused the velcro that holds the
skylight screen to peel off the ceiling.  I do have that screen/cover thing
for the skylight but the screen material is pretty much disintegrated.
Also have the screen for the back hatch which is in very good condition.
all the camper stuff works as designed.  Shurflo faucet.  City water hookup
deleted.  Fridge works on all 3 modes but on propane it often blows out
while driving.  Crappy aftermarket stereo installed and front speakers
replaced with no modifications to stock appearance.

I can fix most things on it and would take it on a long trip without much
hesitation knowing that. I have always kept it in condition that it would
not have a major breakdown on the road and it has never left me stranded or
needing a tow.  Others would probably want to refresh things on it like
bushings, rear wheel bearings, etc.  I've replaced many cooling hoses and
components over the years and used some generic hose here and there.  In
cold weather there are a few leaks from hose connections.  There has been a
very minor coolant leak from one head gasket since I bought it. Seems to
come and go and only happens in very cold weather.  I used that subaru head
gasket sealer years ago and that seemed to help.  I've never had problems
with the van overheating or any problems bleeding the cooling system.  The
brakes feel a little softer than I'd like. may need a master cylinder. the
stock AC system is complete but does not work. I need to check the engine
compression which I haven't done since I got the van. I do not believe the
engine's been rebuilt. one of the POs told me that it had been rebuilt at
around 100k miles but the spouse told me it had not. I have been planning
to do an engine swap since I got it, as soon as this engine died... still
waiting for that to happen. the AT was rebuilt 3 or 4 years ago and works
as designed.

It's a good basic van if someone wanted to use it as a starting point to
make it super slick and pretty.  It has good bones and is mechanically
sound.  I'm not sure what to even ask for it.  Input on that?  Located near
Asheville, NC.

Edward