1970 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus Westfalia

- California Bus
- Rust Free
- Fully Restored
- Custom Interior
- Immaculate Condition


(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this bus on a site other than GarageKeptMotors.com, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this vehicle due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 140 photographs, including a short walk-around-and-startup video, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)

“… pretty much, the first lifestyle vehicle.” Car and Driver, May 2018

Call it a camper. Call it a van. Call it a bus. Call it a “Westy.” The Type T2 Volkswagen vans converted by the German firm, Westfalia (hence “Westy), ultimately became not only a worldwide success, but more importantly, an icon for the Hippie movement and the free-roaming, free-surfing, free-love young people who embraced it back in the day, especially on the West Coast. There was a time when finding one of these camper vans without one or more peace-symbol decorative additions to the body was nearly impossible.

Indeed, when the long-term San Diego-owned Type 2 Volkswagen Westy offered here was sold to its present owner in 2008, its rust-free body was adorned with flowers and peace symbols painted all over. It only became the excellent example on display today after its collector-owner commissioned a years-long full, frame-off restoration (note the undercarriage photos in the accompanying gallery) that was completed in 2014. As part of the restoration, the 1600cc horizontal-4-cylinder engine was rebuilt (be sure to hear its exhaust note in the short walk-around-and-startup video available at the GarageKeptMotors site), and the pop-up camper interior was customized in birch by a finish-carpenter whose attention to detail was normally reserved for high-end home construction. The exterior was hand-sanded and given its current period-correct yellow–and-white two-tone paint. In all, the result is a VW camper van true to its origins, yet executed to an even higher standard.

In addition to the many characteristic design elements—from bumper-step-entry for the driver and front passenger, to louvered side windows, to sliding side door, to under-dash wicker parcel shelf, to floor-shifted 4-speed, to pop-up camper roof with shades and screens—this Westy sports nice-to-have additions like a custom steering wheel, upgraded Clarion CD/audio head unit, highly rated General Altimax RT tires mounted on 15-inch mag-style wheels, and custom rear-passenger entry step. Inside, the custom birch cabinetry is stunning. Fit and finish is absolutely world-class. Storage areas abound, audio speakers are nicely integrated, and rear passengers are treated to surfboard-pattern custom upholstery throughout in keeping with the van's beach-vibe throwback feel. Privacy curtains with tiebacks are in place as they should be. A “smiling monkey” round carpet protecting the passenger-compartment wood floor completes the period look.

In virtually every respect, the condition and appointments of this VW bus are exceptional. We strongly encourage prospective purchasers to look closely at the more than 140 high-definition photographs taken from virtually every angle, including from below, and available at the GarageKeptMotors website. Of course, with a vehicle of this caliber, we also fully expect in-person visits to our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom to appreciate how exceptionally well executed this restoration is. To that end, we ask only that appointments be made in advance since our showroom is not open to the public. Please call us or email to make arrangements, or to ask any questions.

“You don't need to be a hippie to own a Volkswagen campervan,” opined ClassicMotoring magazine in 2011. Of course, that's true. But owning one of these Type 2 Westys—especially one in this exceptional restored condition—certainly will allow its next owner to engage in vivid memories of the evocative days of California surfing, beautiful young women, and once-illegal smoking materials. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!