Date: Sun, 23 Apr 1995 22:28:07 -0600
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: dlindgre@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca (Roger & Cheri Lindgren)
Subject: '78 Bus Identity Crisis
We recently bought a 1978 VW Kombi (aftermarket conversion to camper).
Problem is, I don't know what company did the conversion, and after reading
postings on the list about Safare, Westy, etc., my poor bus (we named her
Pearl) is having an identity crisis! PLEASE HELP
As I said, PEARL is a 1978 Transporter Kombi (I tracked that from VIN). She
was converted to a camper in 1978 (or so said the previous owner). The
pop-top is unusual (compared to Westy) in that the entire top raises (4 feet
or so) and has nifty vented windows with shades built into the canvas. A
plywood board slips out over the sunroof opening creating a double wide top
bunk.
Much of the interior is apparently Westfalia (there are little plaques on
some of the cabinets saying Westfalia 1978 and then a bunch of stuff in
German...).
Directly behind the passenger seat there is a metal wall (about the same
height as the seat), behind this sits a 2-way fridge (110/12V) and a
2-burner propane stove. This arrangement is nice for cooking (as you can
stand outside if you wish) but it blocks access to the sliding door latch
(in that respect, sounds similar to the Safare).
Behind the driver's seat there is a full height cabinet, then a sink-water
tank-storage tank arrangement. There is an electric pump for the little sink.
The rear seat folds out and gives a double bed extending to the back over
the engine compartment.
Does anyone recognize this configuration as a standard aftermarket camper
conversion? I thought maybe it was homemade and it could be, but the
fibreglass top is definitely manufactured. Also there is a second battery
for fridge etc. A small propane tank is mounted under the stove/frdige unit.
Please help Pearl trace her roots!
Roger Lindgren, P.Eng.
Edmonton, Canada
"A engineer can do for $100 what any fool can do for $10...or is it the
other way?"
