1978 Volkswagen (VW) Bus - Lowered - great patina!

1978 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Additional Info:

1978 Volkswagen Bus

Up for auction is my 1978 Volkswagen Bus. I bought it from a buddy last winter and did a few things to get it on the road. I’ve enjoyed driving it around for the last few months but winter is coming and I’ve got some new projects on the horizon so it needs a new home.

It has been lowered with a Wagenswest “slam bay kit” which is comprised of a 4” narrowed adjustable beam, 2.5” drop spindles and 4.5” drop plates in the rear. It also has CIP1 BRM style wheels with 145/65 15” front tires and 185/65 15” rear tires. It also has shorter shock absorbers. It’s not a Cadillac but the bus rides pretty well for being so low.

The previous owners had the transmission rebuilt in 2014 and it shifts smoothly. The engine is a 2.0 liter hydraulic lifter type 4 (correct for this bus) that came from a ’77 bus that I parted out last year. It has a new 2 barrel carburetor and new tune up parts. It runs pretty well but I feel that it could use from fine tuning. It doesn’t leak much oil either.

The bus was originally sage green over white but has obviously been repainted at some point. I spray painted the roof and bumpers white to break it up a little bit. A new paint job would do wonders for it but I kind of like the “patina” look. The body is very straight a rust free. There are a handful of dings and dents but nothing too major. The worst is behind the right rear tire where it looks like it lost a wheel at some point. The only rust I am aware of is at the windshield and as far as I know it’s just surface rust. The P/O told me that when he replaced the windshield, he applied a rust preventative chemical over the channel.

The headliner and floor mats are original and in decent shape. The seats have been reupholstered and the door/interior panels have been replaced with off white vinyl from TMI. The lights and wipers, etc all work. The ignition and all of the doors use the same key. It has 95,211 on the odometer but I wouldn’t be surprised if it has turned over at least once.

Here are the only issues that I’m aware of with the bus: The fuel gauges is a finicky so I suspect the sender needs to be replaced. This won’t be too hard though as someone cut an access panel for it. The cables that open the heater boxes need to be replaced as well. The blower fan is intact and seems to work. It has a Kenwood stereo but the speakers are a pair of house speakers under the back seat and it doesn’t sound great. The driver’s side mirror is cracked. Some of the side window seal have dried and “shrunk” so there are some gaps which make it whistle on the highway.

Overall, it’s pretty sweet bus. It’s not a show car but its fun to drive and gets a ton of attention wherever you go. I have a clear Colorado title in my name. The bus is sold as is, where is and has no warranty. I am happy to sell to overseas buyers. I do not offer shipping but will work with the shipper of your choice to coordinate pick up. Feel free to ask any questions. Thanks and happy bidding.