This visual outside rust is only part of the story. Before I took ours to the body shop (it showed less seam rust than the one in the picture), I took the kitchen cabinets, inside panel and insulation out and guess what, pin size wholes all long the bottom edge. I figure condensation or rain got in between the insulation and outside panel.

I suggest with owners permission that you take of the electrical utility cover. This provides enough room to put your hand in for an inspection. If it is damp and you feel loose rust flakes than be prepared for the worst. In my case it was $3000 CDN (acid wash, all windows and top removed, welded new piece of metal under the kitchen cabinets, premium paint etc.). Changes are that the screws might not go back in due to the rust.

This looks like a Canadian model 92 utilities on top and electrical at the bottom) and might have seen some winter driving (exposure to salt?).

Hans
Cumberland Ontario
86 Westfalia

Gary Stearns wrote:

I'd look alot more carefully at this van. Looks as though it's been
repainted (why is the area in front of the mud flap so pristine?) but the
respray couldn't contain that seam rust. At the very least get under it an
poke around with a pick to see if any of the undercoating is bubbling from
rust beneath it. Also check the other seams. Is the new paint hiding
anything there? Other than that... looks like a good one.
Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Kasper" <dragon@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2001 6:51 PM
Subject: westy rust redux
> can anyone advise me just how bad this rust looks?
> http://www.scruznet.com/~cikasper/pics/westy/seam.jpg
> http://www.scruznet.com/~cikasper/pics/westy/seamclose.jpg
>
> would it keep you from buying this vehicle if it were for less than US$10K
> and it was an '87 syncro westy (and everything was taken care of by
original
> owners, etc.)?
>
> thanks.
> bill
>