Thanks again for the inspiration! Finally, at the age of 55, I have my Westy bus. She's a '78 by the name of "Sunny," I look forward to making my own memories in her. Better late than never. Since we live in Tampa, she'll be a long suffering Bucs fan like me. God bless.
Fantastic! Beautiful bus and beautiful family. You all appear to be having more fun and joy than most people get in their Rolls Royce. You're boys will always remember those camping trips in the bus. You are blessed.
I have purchased and fixed up two 1971 busses over the last two years. It is so much fun to restore, hunt for those little pieces you need on line, etc. I recently sold a white 1971 pop-top to a guy from Japan. It is now over there...
Wow! Thank you for sharing. I had an original VW camper van same color way back when... traveled from New York to California and all over the place. Your family must be having a blast with this van. Be blessed.
The seats were and still are original. Gettin worn down but that material is still in good shape! A testimony to the craftsmanship of these fine rides! :-)
I had a '84 Westy and loved the Bus. The engine in that one was done and needed rebuilt. Unfortunately, I didn't have the funds to rebuild the engine and had to sell. Loved that Bus!
Just wow, i am impressed and inspired! You took that thing from a field and just you to the open road and a family. She lasted you a long time giving great adventure stories I'm sure. I am currently working on my own restore of my '79 Transporter. Hope i can get her looking like yours (aside from the pop top) and get her running great. Thanks for the inspiration man. Good travels to you :)
Thats so COOL! I just bought a 1974 Westfalia just like that! TWINS! We are doing a complete transformation also and we are going to takke it on a road trip for a week! Great JOB!
great job....miss my old bus cherry red camper 73 and then i've got an orange 74 full camper wich burnt in costa rica...r.i.p. now going to buy a 87 westfalia water cooled.... can't wait to go camping.... love them campervans
Well, I bought it as a shell. No Tranny or Engine. What was left of the interior was literally scraps. Only thing that stay inside or on the Bus is the two front seats. Even the top was "replaced". I used most parts from my first Bus, the pumpkin orange one you see in the video.(in the beginning) Seven years ago, next month, I paid $1500 for the shell, paint supplies, the body work, and the Bus sprayed. Hell of a deal! I then did the work after it was painted. In end, roughly $6500
I bought it off Ebay 6 yrs ago. It's an actual German plate with registration sticker and all. Wanted to have a German plate for the city where Buses were built! :-) It was either that or Hanover. We're allowed to run em here in PA.
Beautiful bus, inspiring video. My '74 Westy is running great (with a Chevrolet carberator, believe it or not), but I need to refurbish the interior. I hope I can do as good a job as you did!
Hi Dan! This is a 77 color...but slightly off. Has a slight orange tint. The OE code for 77 Westy was used. I believe it is called Chrome Yellow. I do not have cabinets, sorry. We do lots of campin with fellow dubbers....hit us up for a weekend of campin in PA!
@MichaelIanHenry Thanks! Good luck getting Eleanor going this year. You definitely live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Go Bucs and Go Raiders! Rob
That's the same color then. My first bus after college was a 76 Chrome Yellow. I bought it at night on a Friday, wtih a trouble light in the guys driveway. Gas heater did not do much...yes, just finished putting dual carbs on my Sundial camper. See you this summer...
@romodig Thank you brother Rob.Truly all the best success to you with your wonderful project, and of course I will be pullin for the Buc's. I was a Buc's fan when they had those awful orange uniforms with the 'French Buccaneer' on the helmet. As too our campers I actually like to think of myself as a U Boat Kommander. I also am a long time Renn fair goer of 30 years, and veteran of nearly as many pirate festivals as well.
@yellowstoned1 NEVER too late to get another Bus! I host a Bus campout here in PA. We get about 75 Buses gathered and ages range from 16 to 80s! No joke! These silly vans bring together any age gap!
Lets just say I have been towed home twice in 13 years of ownin a Bus. Once because I didn't have a spare accelrator cable which I could have replaced in 15 minutes. Second was because it was 105* heat index and we overheated while drivin north on I81 in VA. I gave it a tune up once home and have driven nonstop since....6 years ago was last tow.
I have a 73 Westie that my best friend bought brand new and she passed away three years ago and left it to me in her will. Still has the original tent, etc.. not bad shape but engine is blown... I need an engine!! and someone who knows how to put it in..... lol... My bus is the same color, etc... her name is: Edyce Keep on truckin'.....
@romodig LOL...Mlady and I are finally getting Eleanor our 66 camper going this year. As a long time Raiders fan I share your pain brother. The Buc's Btw are my # 2 team! Either way Go Westy's and go camping! All the best to you from Roswell NM.
@tweetnsly sorry I missed your questions. No, you do NOT need glue or a adhesive to attach the pop top seals. They have metal inside the more less clamps to the "roof". There is a website for Bus lovers!! Come join us! Full Moon Bus Club...
That is a tricky question. There are so many options on restoring a Bus. Buy one as is, find what we call a "project Bus" and fix it up, or there is in some cases the off pan restorations...of course the most expensive. 9 years ago, I had roughly $7000.00 into it. That was doin work myself and a $2500.00 new engine. I am in the middle of restorin a '76 Transporter right now and with the experience the past 9 years, I hope to get it finished for roughly $5000.00 But I do most of the work.
I love your video. We recently purchased a 71 Westy and are starting the restoration. The first thing we need is the seals for pop up and pop top rubber straps. Would you know the best and most reliable place to purchase those? Thanks, Debbie & Joe
The cabinets in this video are original to a '74 Westfalia....but missing the stove/fridge that would normally sit behind the passenger seat. I removed that. The cabinet you see is now removed and was replaced with a custom cabinet/ jumpseat.
@BloodRedChorizo I never really sat down and added up the receipts(which I do have em all) Most of the work was done by myself or friends. So that saved ALOT of mechanics fees and such. If I was to guess what I put into Bettis before he was road worthy, I'd say roughly $6500(June of 2003) That was new engine, new transmission, new engine accessories like carb and distributor. Basically the only thing that wasn't completely redone was brakes and suspension.
This is incredible :) I have a very similar bus (just not westfalia) I was wondering where I can get the "tent" awning you have in the picture of min 2:58 ? I'd like to get one of those my self.
I thought this was wonderful, I've never rated anything and I thought you just clicked on the stars to rate it, but I didn't realize you had to click the star you wanted to rate it, so I meant to give it a 5. sorry! That's a great video!
OMGosh!! We need to get that Bus on the road again! You have no idea the memories you will have with any Bus! If you are serious about getting the Bus back on the road, i can help you. Send me a message!!
@fungus1024 ...Thanks Fungus1024...I have another question which might be answered once we start to attach the seal but I thought I'd ask before we got started. We just purchased the pop top seal. There was no glue with it. Do you have to attach the seal with glue and if so what kind of glue? Also is there a websight that I can go to for answers to these questions. Thanks so much, Debbie
Is the the color the same as the 1976... L20A Marino Gelb ? Might you have a sink & cabinet for a standard 76 westy ? You ever replace a front beam ? Any suggestions - I know they are heavy...thanks.. I am in teh Keystone State as well...
Hey brother, yinz still check this page? I have a '73 that has been in my dad's garage near the Burgh for the last 42 years and want to get it restored and trying to find someone that can give an estimate. I am active duty Army down in NC and just don't have the time or space to do it myself. It's been my dream since the early 90's to get the ol' bus back on the road but just haven't made it, yet! Hope all is well up there. Stay safe! #GoStillers
@thelittlebsl Take care of your Bus and your Bus will take care of you. You could buy a BMW and break down 2 miles from home. If you give your Bus a full tune up and check everything out before a drive....and everything checks out....hop in and roll....ANYWHERE!! California to Idaho? NO PROBLEM! I know Volks who drive iin a Bus from east coast to CA and back! Enjoy the ride!
@romodig #2 When Mlady and I are ready to travel long distance our first trip is back to Calif too see family of course...But! The next trip I want to take is to St Augustine (Pirate festival of course lol) and then to the Keys for yet another Pirate festival! I am so predictable :). If we actually do make that second trip happen rest assured we will be lookin you up matey! We'll caravan down to the keys and steal the show Argggh! (LOL) Good talking to ya bro. Stand tall, stay strong!
Thanks again for the inspiration! Finally, at the age of 55, I have my Westy bus. She's a '78 by the name of "Sunny," I look forward to making my own memories in her. Better late than never. Since we live in Tampa, she'll be a long suffering Bucs fan like me. God bless.
Fantastic! Beautiful bus and beautiful family. You all appear to be having more fun and joy than most people get in their Rolls Royce. You're boys will always remember those camping trips in the bus. You are blessed.
I have purchased and fixed up two 1971 busses over the last two years. It is so much fun to restore, hunt for those little pieces you need on line, etc.
I recently sold a white 1971 pop-top to a guy from Japan. It is now over there...
Wow! Thank you for sharing. I had an original VW camper van same color way back when...
traveled from New York to California and all over the place.
Your family must be having a blast with this van. Be blessed.
i love that you see the growth of the boys as well as the constant of the van. awesome video!!!
The seats were and still are original. Gettin worn down but that material is still in good shape! A testimony to the craftsmanship of these fine rides! :-)
Thank you very much! It's worth every penny, worth every drop of sweat, and every drop of blood, when we get to enjoy camping and driving in the Bus.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Much appreciated! We eat, drink, breathe, live, and LOVE Buses!!
Thanks. Your video has brought back a lot of old good memories with my Dad.
very very nice! I am restoring my second bus (you can never own just one). It's a '74 also. Thanks for the inspiration! Love, Peace, VW Grease.
I had a '84 Westy and loved the Bus. The engine in that one was done and needed rebuilt. Unfortunately, I didn't have the funds to rebuild the engine and had to sell. Loved that Bus!
hey, I just wanted to say how moved I was by your video, it really shows what the Volkswagen bus was meant for! VW For LIFE!
Seeing these vans makes me want to get one there are so practical and i like that you can camp with them.
Just wow, i am impressed and inspired! You took that thing from a field and just you to the open road and a family. She lasted you a long time giving great adventure stories I'm sure. I am currently working on my own restore of my '79 Transporter. Hope i can get her looking like yours (aside from the pop top) and get her running great. Thanks for the inspiration man. Good travels to you :)
NICE! I had a 67 westy in the 70s, good resto and i like the roomier 74 type II body. It makes me want another van for retirement.
Great, great video! How could anyone NOT enjoy this?
Wow. Beautiful job! 74-78 were the best years.
Only a VW bus could bring a Cowboys fan and a Steelers fan together! Very nice video.
87 Westy.
Thanks for putting this video together. Loved it - made me nostalgic!
Thats so COOL! I just bought a 1974 Westfalia just like that! TWINS! We are doing a complete transformation also and we are going to takke it on a road trip for a week! Great JOB!
the last picture is priceless. and the music was great
Wish I had a garage big enough to work on my VW bus. Yours looks fabulous.
great job....miss my old bus cherry red camper 73 and then i've got an orange 74 full camper wich burnt in costa rica...r.i.p.
now going to buy a 87 westfalia water cooled....
can't wait to go camping....
love them campervans
Well, I bought it as a shell. No Tranny or Engine. What was left of the interior was literally scraps. Only thing that stay inside or on the Bus is the two front seats.
Even the top was "replaced". I used most parts from my first Bus, the pumpkin orange one you see in the video.(in the beginning)
Seven years ago, next month, I paid $1500 for the shell, paint supplies, the body work, and the Bus sprayed. Hell of a deal! I then did the work after it was painted. In end, roughly $6500
Sweet! Perfect music too. Enjoy your beautiful bus, it's dreamy! :)
Love it. Friend had a 74 Westphalia. That was that van that infected me with the camper van bug.
I bought it off Ebay 6 yrs ago. It's an actual German plate with registration sticker and all. Wanted to have a German plate for the city where Buses were built! :-) It was either that or Hanover. We're allowed to run em here in PA.
great compilation! just lost the 84gl engine and needed some inspiration. thanks
sweet vid love the bus and great work you did restoring it
Beautiful bus, inspiring video. My '74 Westy is running great (with a Chevrolet carberator, believe it or not), but I need to refurbish the interior. I hope I can do as good a job as you did!
Hi Dan! This is a 77 color...but slightly off. Has a slight orange tint. The OE code for 77 Westy was used. I believe it is called Chrome Yellow.
I do not have cabinets, sorry.
We do lots of campin with fellow dubbers....hit us up for a weekend of campin in PA!
@inyourdreamsladdie Thank You! It has been a lifetime of memories, for sure! Glad I could make ya smile!
Thank You for all the kynd comments! Much appreciated! We have a blast in Bettis. Lookin forward to doin another!!
@MichaelIanHenry Thanks! Good luck getting Eleanor going this year. You definitely live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Go Bucs and Go Raiders! Rob
That's the same color then. My first bus after college was a 76 Chrome Yellow. I bought it at night on a Friday, wtih a trouble light in the guys driveway. Gas heater did not do much...yes, just finished putting dual carbs on my Sundial camper. See you this summer...
the outside looks so small, yet the inside is so much bigger than anything on the market right now.
why can't anyone build something similar today?
@circa73skater Thank you kindly! Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed the video.
@romodig Thank you brother Rob.Truly all the best success to you with your wonderful project, and of course I will be pullin for the Buc's. I was a Buc's fan when they had those awful orange uniforms with the 'French Buccaneer' on the helmet. As too our campers I actually like to think of myself as a U Boat Kommander. I also am a long time Renn fair goer of 30 years, and veteran of nearly as many pirate festivals as well.
@yellowstoned1 NEVER too late to get another Bus! I host a Bus campout here in PA. We get about 75 Buses gathered and ages range from 16 to 80s! No joke! These silly vans bring together any age gap!
I LOVE THE BUS MAN!!!! AND THE STEELERS ARE THE BEST TEAM IN THE NFL!!!!!!!!!
great video dude, great westy too
Lets just say I have been towed home twice in 13 years of ownin a Bus. Once because I didn't have a spare accelrator cable which I could have replaced in 15 minutes. Second was because it was 105* heat index and we overheated while drivin north on I81 in VA. I gave it a tune up once home and have driven nonstop since....6 years ago was last tow.
I have a 73 Westie that my best friend bought brand new and she passed away three years ago and left it to me in her will. Still has the original tent, etc.. not bad shape but engine is blown... I need an engine!! and someone who knows how to put it in..... lol... My bus is the same color, etc... her name is: Edyce
Keep on truckin'.....
Hey! Thanks! Nice to see some Moonies on here! :-)
I love your bus nice video
Thats beautiful!!!!!!!!! Lucky you! I'd love to have one.maybe someday.have fun.*peace*
@brokenbiker91 Thank you! It's been a fun 10 years owning Buses! Wouldn't trade the experiences for nothin!!
nice!! esa es pasion!! muy chingona te kedo tu camionetita!!
i have a 73 westy looks just like yours pretty much cheers!
@romodig LOL...Mlady and I are finally getting Eleanor our 66 camper going this year. As a long time Raiders fan I share your pain brother. The Buc's Btw are my # 2 team! Either way Go Westy's and go camping! All the best to you from Roswell NM.
Nice vid.
@tweetnsly sorry I missed your questions. No, you do NOT need glue or a adhesive to attach the pop top seals. They have metal inside the more less clamps to the "roof".
There is a website for Bus lovers!! Come join us! Full Moon Bus Club...
It took a total of 3 months. I bought the Bus as a shell, had the body work and paint done, then did the rest myself.
That is a tricky question. There are so many options on restoring a Bus. Buy one as is, find what we call a "project Bus" and fix it up, or there is in some cases the off pan restorations...of course the most expensive.
9 years ago, I had roughly $7000.00 into it. That was doin work myself and a $2500.00 new engine.
I am in the middle of restorin a '76 Transporter right now and with the experience the past 9 years, I hope to get it finished for roughly $5000.00 But I do most of the work.
Great job on the restoration. Only bad part of it was putting the Pigsburg Squeelers symbol on it. lol
Thank you!
THANKS for all the kind comments!! :-)
I love your video. We recently purchased a 71 Westy and are starting the restoration. The first thing we need is the seals for pop up and pop top rubber straps. Would you know the best and most reliable place to purchase those? Thanks, Debbie & Joe
hermoso video saludos desde argentina
Thanks!
The cabinets in this video are original to a '74 Westfalia....but missing the stove/fridge that would normally sit behind the passenger seat. I removed that.
The cabinet you see is now removed and was replaced with a custom cabinet/ jumpseat.
@beatleboy1999 Yes. It was bought in PA. About 20 miles north of Hagerstown, MD.
@BloodRedChorizo I never really sat down and added up the receipts(which I do have em all) Most of the work was done by myself or friends. So that saved ALOT of mechanics fees and such.
If I was to guess what I put into Bettis before he was road worthy, I'd say roughly $6500(June of 2003) That was new engine, new transmission, new engine accessories like carb and distributor. Basically the only thing that wasn't completely redone was brakes and suspension.
This is incredible :) I have a very similar bus (just not westfalia) I was wondering where I can get the "tent" awning you have in the picture of min 2:58 ? I'd like to get one of those my self.
nice vid men!...where did u buy the little hammock the goes in driver and passenger seat?? ive been looking for that!
I thought this was wonderful, I've never rated anything and I thought you just clicked on the stars to rate it, but I didn't realize you had to click the star you wanted to rate it, so I meant to give it a 5. sorry! That's a great video!
Yessir that was me. :-)
@romodig Absaflugginlutely! Eleanor would never let me hear the end of it! :0!
OMGosh!! We need to get that Bus on the road again! You have no idea the memories you will have with any Bus! If you are serious about getting the Bus back on the road, i can help you. Send me a message!!
Ahhhhh AWESOME CAMPER!!!!
@fungus1024 ...Thanks Fungus1024...I have another question which might be answered once we start to attach the seal but I thought I'd ask before we got started. We just purchased the pop top seal. There was no glue with it. Do you have to attach the seal with glue and if so what kind of glue? Also is there a websight that I can go to for answers to these questions. Thanks so much, Debbie
Sounds good. Only need the sink cabinet. Rather find Mexico Beige plaid for my 78 Westy. Sure, let's go camping see you in the summer...
SWEET!
Love the bus, where did you find it?
nice bus man, I actually recognize it from the dead show at penn state back in october, was that you?
Is the the color the same as the 1976... L20A Marino Gelb ? Might you have a sink & cabinet for a standard 76 westy ? You ever replace a front beam ? Any suggestions - I know they are heavy...thanks.. I am in teh Keystone State as well...
@BitchesAtTheClub The stock tire I go with is Hankook. Size 185R14 Not sure how big you can go with stock setup.
love it
good job
Hey brother, yinz still check this page? I have a '73 that has been in my dad's garage near the Burgh for the last 42 years and want to get it restored and trying to find someone that can give an estimate. I am active duty Army down in NC and just don't have the time or space to do it myself. It's been my dream since the early 90's to get the ol' bus back on the road but just haven't made it, yet! Hope all is well up there. Stay safe! #GoStillers
Steam cleaners work good too, I'd still wear a resperator tho. Then bleach after. Good luck!
@MichaelIanHenry You're more than welcome to visit. Bring Eleanor!
Thats neat!
@micr0bus1 Waynesboro,PA Just about 20 miles north of Hagerstown, MD
2 hours from C Town... will be there tomorrow for work... :o)
where did you get the cabinets
How far from Charleston, SC?
I have vw westy too :)
and this video is good..
how many times did u replace the engine?
@thelittlebsl Take care of your Bus and your Bus will take care of you. You could buy a BMW and break down 2 miles from home.
If you give your Bus a full tune up and check everything out before a drive....and everything checks out....hop in and roll....ANYWHERE!!
California to Idaho? NO PROBLEM! I know Volks who drive iin a Bus from east coast to CA and back!
Enjoy the ride!
@thelittlebsl A Bus has no water. No frozen radiator or hoses! ;-)
why did you choose a westy? Are they 6 Cylinder ? i don't know much about them. what's the advantages of having it over a american camper van ?
Where did you find it?
Go Steeler Nation!!!!!!!
@kyndsister THANKS! :-)
Ummm, actually, if you watched the whole video, the Grateful Dead is on there.
I removed all original flooring. Laid down a piece of the OE felt. Then 3/4" pine. Put Adhesive glue down and then laid linoleum. NOT REAL WOOD! :-)
I am in South Carolina... about mid state..... I can def. feed you and get ya some smokes..... Coffee too!!!
OMG - this would be amazing....
@romodig #2 When Mlady and I are ready to travel long distance our first trip is back to Calif too see family of course...But! The next trip I want to take is to St Augustine (Pirate festival of course lol) and then to the Keys for yet another Pirate festival! I am so predictable :). If we actually do make that second trip happen rest assured we will be lookin you up matey! We'll caravan down to the keys and steal the show Argggh! (LOL) Good talking to ya bro. Stand tall, stay strong!
oh ive got bad news for you weimaraner6
because you have to lift the rear end up in order to get the engion out. sorry bad spelling