The story behind how I came to own this 1973 VW Bus.
I used to own a VW Bug when I was 15. I had the bug on the road for several years, eventually I got another car and took the bug off the road. I really liked this bug and it was very dependable, but I really did not know much about them and I was ready to have good heat and a/c :) I was definitely bitten by the VW "bug", I just never knew it. It sat in the back yard for several years and then we eventually was turned it into a trike. I think working with the bug again must have re-ignited a passion for VW's that I did not even know I had. I started to look around for a bug to work on.
I was surfing on Ebay and started to see buses. My dad talked about them some and I was instantly hooked. What a great camping vehicle! In 2001 I went to the Manassas Bug Out and looked around. Their was a nice 67 split window for sale, but I was still unsure what year I wanted. I continued to search on Ebay with little luck. Nothing really stood out. Then one day I came across this bus. It was a 1973 orange bus from Phoenix Arizona. For some reason I just knew that this was the bus that I had to have. I talked my wife into this bus (I do not know how I managed this) and started communicating with the owner. Lucky for me he had placed about 40 photos of the bus on a website. This really helped seal the deal. I hit the Buy it Now on Ebay and purchased the bus.
I paid what I thought was a fair price and started the process of getting it to Virginia. This as not cheap. I thought about flying out there and driving it back, but not knowing much about buses made me change my mind. I had the owner of the bus take it to a drop off station and it was transported to my house. The first time I actually saw the bus it was being delivered to me on the back of a roll back truck. The paint was a little more faded than expected, but other than that it was what I think is perfect. It has its fair share of problems and rust, but I was pleased then and still am pleased now.
Details:
1973 VW Bus Westfalia
1700 cc Engine
4 Speed
Webber Progressive Carb :(
New modifications:
Installed new Door Seal (OE)
New Canvas for PopTop
Cleaned PopTop
Replaced Fuel lines and flushed tank
Interior Sound Proofing and insulating.
Future Items that I am going to add or repair.
Gas Heater - BN4 or BA6, I have both, just need to decide on which one to install. Probably the BA6 since it uses the stock heating tubes for heat distribution.
Engine Tin - I have one piece of engine tin that needs to be replaced. The cylinder head cover on the left side needs to be replaced. All other tin looks good, although very greasy. Maybe someday the engine will get pulled and all this cleaned and painted
Dual Carbs - I am in the process of replacing the Webber carb with stock solex dual carbs. Not sure if the stock solexs are the way to go or not. I have CB performance carbs also, but might sell it all for some 40mm carbs. Wait to see what the local VW shop says.
Tires - I have purchased Vanco 8 tires. They look like they will work great. I took the old tires off, sandblasted the rims and repainted them with POR 15 and some silver paint. They turned out great and look good with the new rubber and chrome hubcaps.
Rust under the windshield - . This is unknown condition. It looks to not be to bad, but we will not know until the window is out and the paint removed. Might get the entire front end replaced Since their is some bondo on the front end.
Tents - I want to add a rear end tent and a side tent to expand the room the bus has.
Paint Job - This will be the last thing that I do, that is why it is last on the list.