1988 GoWesty© Restored VW Volkswagen Westfalia Vanagon GL Camper Van Motorhome

1988 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon GL

Up for sale is my real GoWesty Westfalia camper motorhome that I bought for top dollar and have maintained it with no expense spared. I recently took my 'Westy' camper on its one and only 8,000-mile camping journey up East Coast, across the US, down the West Coast and back. I was planning on keeping it forever but a medical condition in my arm has caused me to have to sell it. Now it sits in my climate-controlled garage and I can't drive it due to health; unfortunately I am unable to sit for long periods or take overnight trips but now I am in my 70s and it is a reality.

I have never invested so much all upfront with a vehicle, taking a big chunk of my retirement fund to do it. My plan was to make this our home on wheels, spending most of the year on the road. I figured if I kept my investment under $80,000 that it cost much less than a house. So I started out with the “right” year Westfalia -- they say they have to be from the late 1980s to be the best. I paid an enormous sum to GoWesty. GoWesty is the premier source for these. It was also important that it was the “right” color, after all I was going to be spending nearly all my time looking at it. It took me more than 5 years to sift through all the other ones to find the perfect one. I am actually in love with this bugger. I mean as a person would love another person, I am very emotionally attached to it and it’s not only because of the $65,000 I have invested in it....it’s because she’s perfection.

Just over 8,000 miles ago absolutely everything mechanical was recently replaced -- brand new completely GoWesty 2.3 Engine, new GoWesty remanufactured transmission, new suspension, new recommended oversized upgraded wheels, new tires, new seals, new belts, new hoses, new electronics, new ignition, new cooling system, new wiring harness, new camping and cooking equipment, new plumbing, etc, etc, etc. Everything was done. I mean everything. This is how GoWesty restores a Vanagon to remarket it. There is literally nothing else mechanical that actually can be replaced or addressed even if you just want it, making using it a really reliable and fun Vanagon experience like driving it off the showroom lot except better because it’s upgraded. Over $55,000 was the initial investment was made (invoice included) to make it ready for daily use and camping, and then I put another $10,000 (all documented and you get the documents) into upgrades. The Vanagon camper comes with a 3-inch professional binder full of receipts and perfectly documented in laminated sheet covers documenting its entire life. It’s like a detailed aircraft log.

I can tell you from decades of experience with VW's this is a very solid bus and strong runner, they do not make them like this any more, and this one is an absolutely exceptional example of the best of its class due to its condition and complete and comprehensive makeover with GoWesty running gear. It is able to cruise along at well above any posted highway speeds. Even fully loaded and weighed-down with people and full camping gear and full tank of fuel, you can accelerate to 100 mph even up a slight incline. On a straight away you can exceed well over 100 mph. I only did that once to see where its upper limits were. I didn’t find the upper limits because I was afraid to travel that fast. You will enjoy the camper while listening to modern stereo sounds coming at you from all directions; it has better sound than a brand new vehicle would have. Enjoy the Westy with the windows open, or while driving along with the Air Conditioning on and the family gleefully singing to your favorite tunes.

Let me tell you and you can confirm this yourself -- it is exceedingly difficult to find a solid Vanagon like this, believe me as it took me several years of looking at many of them to find this one, especially in this condition. I would also say it's without exaggeration nearly impossible.This bus has absolutely none of the known problematic areas to watch out for -- from lack of rust anywhere and it never had it -- not even in key areas prone to it, new GoWesty engine with good head studs, to a top end / valve job unneeded because of excellent compression, no oil leaks, no coolant leaks, runs perfectly cool, no leaks, this van doesn't need any of that or anything for that matter and can immediately be put into use without costly repairs and without any repairs period. Just to be absolutely certain for this sale, I had it gone through AGAIN (for the 8th time) and had it structurally and mechanically inspected and all -- literally all -- has been confirmed to be in working order. Does that mean there is still one small insignificant thing that isn’t working that I didn’t bother to mention, like a cigarette lighter or bulb or switch or accessory? No. Everything but everything works. Every light, every gauge, every knob, switch, bulb, accessory no matter how minor...like a new vehicle, absolutely everything works.

Brakes are good with no sticking, or pulling, grinding, vibration, shuddering, dragging or leaking.

Steering is tight and correct, doesn't wander or pull to one side or make noise.

No abnormal noises.

Nothing broken or inoperative on the body.

Windows and doors open and close and lock properly.

Multiple keys included and no locks have been replaced requiring two different keys...one key will operate all locks. Alarm and door locks operate manually or with a remote key fob (two remotes included).

Acceleration is appropriate and healthy as stated above.

Idling is steady and correct.

Suspension status is appropriate and correct.

All electrics are operational without any bulbs burned out anywhere or inappropriate current draws or discharging. Charging system working perfectly. Compression is excellent and equal on all cylinders.

Cold and hot starts are quick and without delays or issues.

The Vanagon doesn't produce smoke on startup or while running.

Air conditioning blows cold both front and rear units. Heater blows hot.

The very rare factory anthracite gray body, along with the light gray factory cloth interior, really sets it apart from all the other Westfalia's of this vintage. To top it all off, it comes loaded from the factory with tilt and 180 degree swivel front chairs, fold away dining table, kitchen area with propane stove, three way refrigerator (yes, the refrigerator has been rebuilt and works perfectly), and working sink, it has cold AC, clear headlights and comes with matching GoWesty aluminum 15" wheels with four matching almost new Hankook radial all weather tires, and an incredibly silky smooth GoWesty manual transmission (even all shift linkages and bushings have been replaced to make it feel new), additionally comes with aftermarket stereo with amplifier, speakers and remote, working gas stove, working sink, working 3 way refrigerator (propane gas, ac, dc), fold down bed in the rear, bed in the popup, plenty of storage nooks, external sunshade that is attached above the sliding door and expands the full length and secondary Optima Gel battery installed and wired in under the rear seat. In addition, of course it comes with Owner's Manual & keys and a 3-inch thick presentation binder packed with receipts. It has the original showroom invoice and brochures from when it was purchased new. This shows that it was bought by someone who cared for it its entire life.

The incredible 2.3 liter GoWesty engine is very strong, does not smoke, nor does it leak or burn oil, also the van pulls smoothly as expected in all gears, and will easily cruise along at speed well above our highway speed limits with its new GoWesty transmission. This bus has has been garage kept. It is a very well cared for vintage Vanagon that is being sold AS-IS due to its age with no warranty expressed or implied. I have the clear/clean title in hand. In addition to describing it as accurately as possible, I have taken many high resolution pictures and videos at many angles and lighting conditions, please make sure to look at them all:

If you would like to view the slideshow on anything other than a pc, please click here: (SLIDE SHOW TO BE EMBEDDED HERE)1988 VW Vanagon Westfalia slide show

Also, here are some nice videos of walking around the Westfalia, looking inside, in the engine compartment, with the camper top, the car running and driving at highway speeds, please watch them all:

Exterior:

The exterior of this goWesty looks absolutely beautiful. It could very well be the original paint, but I have never been able to determine for certain. If not original, it’s clearly definitely a very high-quality paint from several years ago. The body condition is virtually flawless with perfect door and hood gaps and is arrow straight down the sides with no signs of previous damage. The top is beautiful and doesn't need reconditioning, and same goes for the trim which is in good shape. The top, front, side and rear and the rest of the paint are in excellent condition with minor dents and imperfections from stone chips and the like here and there as expected. The windows and mirrors are clean and clear, no cracks or chips. Popup is in excellent condition, no tears in the fabric and works perfectly. All of the camper hookups work perfectly. The propane tank doesn't leak, the water tank and pump work perfectly. The gray water holding tank works perfectly.

Interior:

The interior is excellent and really nice, including the stitching which holds nicely. There are no seam separations or tears in the seats which are original and have never been recovered. The dash is in outstandingly great condition with there is zero discoloration or cracking or warping. The rear seats are perfect as well. The rear seating, rear door area, door panels, carpeting, and top are all in excellent condition. All of the cabinets and storage are in excellent condition, all the stowage doors open nicely and lock shut as they were intended. All of the original appliances function correctly as they have been reconditioned or restored, including the sink, the stove and the air conditioner, and even the refrigerator (which is the original three way model and will operate on AC, DC or even propane). Keyless entry remote with alarm. Radio is an aftermarket Sony AM/FM/Compact disc player w/ USB and remote control, all aftermarket speakers and separate amplifier. There is a secondary battery as well, which is an Gel Battery by Optima installed under the rear seat to give longer battery life while running purely off of the battery.

Mechanicals:

Runs and drives very well! Shifts flawlessly with its GoWesty transmission and runs extremely well because it has been properly maintained and pampered through the years especially after it was completely rebuilt and with the addition of the 2.3 liter GoWesty engine. It has been gone through and to the best of the mechanic’s knowledge and my knowledge of what is knowable by a VW specialist accustomed to these campers, this westy needs nothing to make it a better mechanically or more reliable. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country tomorrow. It simply fires up perfectly every time and never misses a beat. Does not need anything mechanical. Just a really fun and reliable Westy experience while getting thumbs up along the way! All lights, blinkers, horn work. Everything works.

Payment:

$500 deposit is due within 24 hours after auction close, Payment in full is required within 7 days of the end of the eBay listing. The required payment method is traditional international or domestic bank wire transfer. Cash in-person is also OK. No checks of any kind will be accepted.

Pickup/Storage:

Transport to a transport port, or port storage facility or transport broker facility or warehouse within greater Miami area is included in the purchase price, with no extra charge. Once the purchase funds have cleared with my bank it is your responsibility to have the vehicle picked up and transported if you are not using the free port drop off offer. When you are paid in full, I am glad to store the car for a couple weeks, but I don’t want the Westy staying around after that. Must be picked up within two weeks after auction end or dropped off by us as above, otherwise storage charge is $45/day starting after two weeks after auction end – no exceptions.

Happy bidding and good luck!

A few additional notes: Oowner's manual included, official shop manual, and haynes manual, brochures & pics of each) confirmed the paint is original and the decals are correct and original.

GoWesty to the service records cover.

Why is so hard to find a really nice Westfalia that is factory? Usually they have been camped in an abused, stored outside, lots of inattentive mileage, worn or missing parts, completely beaten up and rusted out, it's really difficult and actually incredible to have found one that was identified as GoWesty prime candidate for restoration, really a rarity.

• Make: Volkswagen
• Model: Bus/Vanagon
• SubModel: GL
• Type: Van Camper
• Trim: Westfalia Full Camper Edition
• Year: 1988
• Mileage: 128,564
• VIN: WV2ZB0258JH048280
• Color: Dark Silver
• Engine size: 2.3 Liter GoWesty© Long Block Boxer 4
• Number of cylinders: 4
• Power options: Refrigrator, Stove, Sleeping Quarters, Potable Water, Hot Water, Cold Water, Front Air Conditioning, Rear Air Conditioning, 2nd Deep Cycle Battery - Gel Media Optima, 12V and 120V Electricity, Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual 5-speed Syncronized
• Drive type: Rear Wheel Drive Limited Slip
• Interior color: Gray
• Options: CD Player, Convertible
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!