Value of a bus (money not sentimental)

Lees73Super · Post by **Lees73Super** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 8:05 am

Being new to the whole bus thing, I was wondering what they go for. I found a Bus claiming to be a 71 with an upright type 1 motor in it, is this correct? The guy selling it wants $1800 for it, it is pretty much rust free, good original gay blue paint, but the interior needs a little work (ie headliner carpeting, etc) Supposedly the engine runs, but it is the original, so I would immediately be tearing that apart anyway to make a nice 1915 or something. Does this sound like a good price, my 73 super needs a friend.

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One of these days ill get this stuff right!

73 Super, 2110, 120 cam, 2x 44 IDFs Hyfire CDI and some more fun stuff.

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 10:47 am

Sounds like a deal to me. Go for it!

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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino"
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"

steve_s · Post by **steve_s** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 2:06 pm

Rust free (or close to it) is the key here. Check the thing thoroughly for rust and fixed body damage, because the mechanical is way easier to fix than the body.

Sounds like a decent price if the body checks out OK, and a good price if it runs and drives allright.

SpyderMike · Post by **SpyderMike** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 3:28 pm

I'll give you a different perspective.

I got a 1970 bus for $300. No real problems except in the front under the window...major rust. Clean body otherwise and a strong motor. I have driven it for 10 years.

The engine in it is not a bus motor, but it runs good. The trans is good.

Things to check besides rust are rubber bits. I have decided to put all new ball joints, tie rod ends, and CVs because the rubber went away and let dirt in.

I am of having body work done and at the same time put new window rubber in. This all told will cost about $4500 done right.

I am looking for one that already has this stuff done to save me the hassle..so far no luck.

The buses I find either need resto work and are relatively cheap or have had it done and are relatively expensive. So I might just bite the bullet and do a minor resto myself.

I haven't looked too hard, but I have not found many middle of the road deals.

DallasHead · Post by **DallasHead** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 6:40 pm

Check out the link in my profile. I got this baby with a brand new (i.e. Rebuilt) 2.0 Vanagon engine that pretty much hauls butt for a Westy. It had all the sweet paint and chrome, plus all the added goodies like stool, magazine rack & fold out courtesy table, fridge, sink, picnic table, removavble childs cot over driver and passenger seats, and of course the roll out hammock up top included. I paid $6000 for it and have all the documentation to back up the paint and new engine. Paint was $1600 at Maaco and engine was $2000 from some shop in FL--that was all included in the $6000. I paid $500 for a flatbed transport from FL to TX and $1300 for 4x2 new Ball Joints top and bottom, a newly welded battery tray, a new battery, new choke element, and lots of little things like lube, oil change, tightening of seat belts, new vent window, wipers, fuses, etc. The body, chassis, and frame has ZERO Rust, but a touch of well applied Bondo here and there. So add it up:

$6000= RTD Westy
$ 500= Transport
$1300= Miscellany
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$7800 And she is all mine free and clear! Did I spend too much? For most people...yes. For me, no way! Ask me in 12 months if I spent too much, and I will tell you I got reamed; I'm learning daily how to do these things from the ground up. So I read, and read, and tinker, and drive, and listen, and read some more, and tinker. And drive and listen...Look at it this way: I also lease a 2001 BMW 330i (hey, at least it's German!) and I pay $700/month for 3 years. Do they math...I let my wife drive the bimmer. Like I have a choice!

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"Goin' Where the Wind Don't Blow so Strange"