Vehicle Description
1970 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus Westfalia - California Bus - Rust Free -
Fully Restored - Custom Interior - Immaculate Condition (Please
note: If you happen to be viewing this bus on a site other than
GarageKeptMotors.com, it's possible that you've only seen some of
our many photographs of this vehicle due to website limitations. To
be sure you access all the more than 140 photographs, including a
short walk-around-and-startup video, please go to our main website:
GarageKeptMotors.) ... pretty much, the first lifestyle vehicle.
Car and Driver, May 2018 Call it a camper. Call it a van. Call it a
bus. Call it a Westy. The Type T2 Volkswagen vans converted by the
German firm, Westfalia (hence Westy), ultimately became not only a
worldwide success, but more importantly, an icon for the Hippie
movement and the free-roaming, free-surfing, free-love young people
who embraced it back in the day, especially on the West Coast.
There was a time when finding one of these camper vans without one
or more peace-symbol decorative additions to the body was nearly
impossible. Indeed, when the long-term San Diego-owned Type 2
Volkswagen Westy offered here was sold to its present owner in
2008, its rust-free body was adorned with flowers and peace symbols
painted all over. It only became the excellent example on display
today after its collector-owner commissioned a years-long full,
frame-off restoration (note the undercarriage photos in the
accompanying gallery) that was completed in 2014. As part of the
restoration, the 1600cc horizontal-4-cylinder engine was rebuilt
(be sure to hear its exhaust note in the short
walk-around-and-startup video available at the GarageKeptMotors
site), and the pop-up camper interior was customized in birch by a
finish-carpenter whose attention to detail was normally reserved
for high-end home construction. The exterior was hand-sanded and
given its current period-correct yellow�€"and-white two-tone paint.
In all, the result is a VW camper van true to its origins, yet
executed to an even higher standard. In addition to the many
characteristic design elements-from bumper-step-entry for the
driver and front passenger, to louvered side windows, to sliding
side door, to under-dash wicker parcel shelf, to floor-shifted
4-speed, to pop-up camper roof with shades and screens-this Westy
sports nice-to-have additions like a custom steering wheel,
upgraded Clarion CD/audio head unit, highly rated General Altimax
RT tires mounted on 15-inch mag-style wheels, and custom
rear-passenger entry step. Inside, the custom birch cabinetry is
stunning. Fit and finish is absolutely world-class. Storage areas
abound, audio speakers are nicely integrated, and rear passengers
are treated to surfboard-pattern custom upholstery throughout in
keeping with the van's beach-vibe throwback feel. Privacy curtains
with tiebacks are in place as they should be. A smiling monkey
round carpet protecting the passenger-compartment wood floor
completes the period look. In virtually every respect, the
condition and appointments of this VW bus are exceptional. We
strongly encourage prospective purchasers to look closely at the
more than 140 high-definition photographs taken from virtually
every angle, including from below, and available at the
GarageKeptMotors website. Of course, with a vehicle of this
caliber, we also fully expect in-person visits to our Grand Rapids,
Michigan showroom to appreciate how exceptionally well executed
this restoration is. To that end, we ask only that appointments be
made in advance since our showroom is not open to the public.
Please call us or email to make arrangements, or to ask any
questions. You don't need to be a hippie to own a Volkswagen
campervan, opined ClassicMotoring magazine in 2011. Of course,
that's true. But owning one of these Type 2 Westys-especially one
in this exceptional restored condition-certainly will allow its
next owner to engage in vivid memories of the evocative days of
