Vehicle Description
1985 Volkswagen Vanagon GL
Early Vanagons were offered as either a panel van, single cab
pick-up, (Pritsche), double cab pick-up, (Doka), or bus
configurations with 1600cc or 2000cc petrol-powered air cooled
engines. In February of 1981, VW added a 50hp diesel to the range,
the engine being a 1600cc water cooled inline 4 cylinder,
previously used in the Golf. In September 1981 VW launched the
Caravelle, essentially a luxury version of the bus, and interior
upgrades included seat cowls, and floor mats throughout. All
commercial versions were called "Transporter" and the previously
named Westfalia "Camper" was renamed "Joker". The much favored
rectangular headlight grille was first offered on the Joker models.
Early Vanagons are easily identified by a variety of means, namely
twin round headlamps, pressed chrome metal bumpers, (or
powder-coated black), with plastic bumper end caps, pressed vents
on the rear pillars, and no lower front grille aperture. The
appearance of the Type 25 changed with the introduction of the
wasserboxer engine, with the rear vents being replaced by molded
plastic covers, and a 2nd lower grille on the front being added to
direct air through the radiator. A total of 1.3 million Type 25
models were made in Hannover between 1979-1992.
A camping we will go...a camping we will go...! High HO the dairy o
a camping we will go. For consignment and in total retro style from
1985 with this decked out as a campmobile conversion of a VW
Vanagon we are ready to load up our rucksacks and head for the
forest. This 2 owner, 54,046 title verified actual mile example
comes to us with receipts totaling over $25,000 to bring this
Vanagon back to showroomnew andproviding you all the comforts of
home. On the road again....
Exterior
If you were to black out the windows it would be difficult to tell
the front from the back on the side view of this rectangular and
square design bus conversion. Tu-tone paint is drenching the body
and comes to us with Savannah Beige Metallic from the beltline up
and with no delineation marker at the beltline Bronze Beige
Metallic takes over and it'slooking just fab. On the flat slab
sides we note all the power outlets are there, propane tank hook
up, controls and water hookup outlet. This Vanagon is equipped with
chromed bumpers that show with mirror like reflections and like new
black rubber cushion overlays. On the passenger side is a sliding
door which gives you access to the living area. This area is made
even more spacious with the Westfalia pop top that reveals a high
ceiling created in canvas with some side venting. The glass is all
good, and weatherstripping is soft and supple. Not a spec of rust
is to be noted and just the right amount of chrome is dressing the
windows and blacked out grille with integrated outboard headlights.
14-inch orange painted steel wheels with VW moon caps are on what
appear to be fairly new radials in 185R14's all around.
Interior
A dog pile of German engineering in the form of pullout tables,
swinging arms, integrated stovetop and sink, and a rear bench that
can be folded flat to meet a foam mattress area in the rear. Plenty
of storage areas are fronted by brown trimmed wood doors, and no
space has been wasted on the room for nearly everything you can
think of front. Inside when the top is popped, there's lots of
headroom, and the interior of the canvas appears in good condition.
Striped tan broadcloth covers the front buckets and rear bench as
well as the padded rear mattress. All like new carpeting is inside
with a light brown flavor for the camping area and tan in front.
The original square and rectangle design for the dash that is AC
equipped, (a rarity in any Volkswagen of the day), also shows with
a modern Sony AM/FM/MP3 radio now replacing the original. We note
the addition of a back up camera as well and a long armed T-handle
automatic shifter rests in front of the dash within a small brown
consolette.
Drivetrain
A lift of the boot reveals to us the 1.9 water-cooled flat 4
cylinder gasoline engine with electronic fuel injection and a
3-speed automatic transmission to propel you and yours into the
wilds of wherever, through hill and dale, rain and snow, and a
backwoods trail. You gotta love the rear engine and drive as it
goes through anything. All is very clean and ready to serve you for
many miles to come.
Undercarriage
Slight areas of surface rusted parts are underneath, but mostly are
coated floorboards, rockers and covering panels, (you've gotta love
the Germans for their aero coverings everywhere). The rear has drum
brakes which are power actuated and are attached to an independent
suspension with coil springs and up front are power disc brakes,
again attached to an independent coil spring arrangement. A bit of
chip offs for the undercoating is peppering the floors but
otherwise things are unremarkable.
Drive-Ability
This camper fired right up and on the test track presented no
problems save for an occasional squeaky belt and a horn that
wouldn't toot. I noticed the shocks felt a bit weak, but did not
hamper the handling abilities of this van, the braking was bias
free and the acceleration was on point for comparablevehicles of
the era. Very well done I say!
With lots of TLC on all fronts we now are presented with a
functioning living space to travel nearly anywhere. Reliable VW
efficiency and power, and a clean interior, and you will be on the
hunt for Smokey the Bear, or scenic views to fill your phone
camera's memory. We're having lots of fun...we're having lots of
fun...well you know the rest!
WV2ZB0253FH019972
W-West Germany
V-Volkswagen
2-MPV
Z-Camper
B-1.9L Boxer 4
0-Manual Belts
25-Vanagon
3-Check Digit
F-1985
H-Hannover, Germany Assy Plant
019972-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
