1989 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia

Mechanical Upgrades / exterior:
170k miles on body
2.2 liter Gowesty Engine (4,600 miles ago) 10w60 Liqui Moly full synthetic oil since 1,000 miles. Fresh oil change.
Rebuilt Automatic transmission (2200 miles ago)
FAAST auto transmission cooler
RMW Stainless steel coolant pipes.
RMW Stainless steel coolant tower
Metal heater core. Heater box rebuild.
Aluminum thermostat housing
Metal rear heater Tees
Fuel tank resealed, overflow tank grommets replaced
Recent brake drums, shoes, pads, rotors, wheel cylinders.
4 German GKN/ Lobro CV Joints
TDI Starter adapter with Bosch SR408x starter
Bilstein shocks
Gowesty 1.5" lift springs
Gowesty rear bumper with 2" receiver, GW front bumper
Yokohama Geolander tires
Van Cafe 5 Spoke 15" wheels
All Fuel lines replaced with 30R9 hose / new clamps
BMW E30 brake booster upgrade
Jack Bombay pop top struts
Tan 3 Window Canvas tent
Factory rear mounted air conditioning works


Interior Upgrades:
100 A/H AGM Battery bank
100W Roof mounted Solar panel
Blue Seas ACR with 6AWG wire from alternator directly to aux battery
TF49 Truckfridge with RMW Install kit
additional LED lighting throughout
Relays added to headlights
New Pioneer Bluetooth capable head unit
RAM Mount phone holder on dash
New speakers throughout
All Westfalia kitchen items powdercoated in original gray
shurflo adjustable flow faucet
Rubber floor mats throughout.
Additional 12v outlet on dash.
LED gauge cluster lighting
Gowesty LED 3rd brake light
Comes with kitchen enamelware. (plates, bowls, cups, silverware)
3 point seat belt harness installed on passenger side rear seat

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1989 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia Camper on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the camper-van due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 145 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to the Vanagon's accident-and-damage-free Carfax history report, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“The Porsche 911 of vans.” - Car and Driver

The headline above was followed by copy that read: “We couldn't have said it better ourselves,” and continued on quoting Car and Driver's reasoning: “The Volkswagen Vanagon goes down the road with a car-like assuredness that's never existed in a vehicle of this type. So don't let its imposing box-like looks fool you.”


That advertisement was just one in a memorable series of clever Vanagon ads over the years. Others were headlined “When it's time to leave it all behind, take more with you,” “This peaceful coexistence (photo of a happy Vanagon family) made possible by Volkswagen,” “Space Shuttle,” “Volkswagen introduces luxury widebodies. All seats first class,” and “Vanagon. The best of a van. The best of a wagon. And better than both.” All touted the Vanagon's surprising interior space. It's an understatement to say that VW Vanagons inspire customer loyalty. In the event you haven't viewed it, paste the link below to watch a short a segment from Hagerty Media's “Why I Drive” series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9JpH1fVww0

Offered here in Titian Red metallic (one of just five colors offered) over light gray, is a 1989 VW Vanagon in exceptionally well-maintained condition. Legendary for amassing very high mileage, this red Westfalia camper-van's odometer shows a relatively conservative 170,206 total miles, roughly just 5,300 miles per-year on average since new. The added equipment (and features), as well as the quality of the work is conclusively demonstrated by the accompanying extensive list. (Please read all the way through the list in case there's a quiz later. We won't be repeating each item here.)

The exterior Titian Red metallic, a deep, reflective shade, shines uniformly across the entire body. Both paint and body panels (including the Westphalia pop-up fiberglass roof) show no damage, marks, or scrapes. All body trim (including the bumpers and the front grilles) is rendered in black, all of it free of damage as well. Factory badging is limited to the front grille VW logo repeated on the rear with the “Vanagon GL” model-identification (Westfalia branding appears front and back on the fiberglass roof). All the extensive cabin glass is clear and free of cracks; lighting lenses are likewise pristine. The van body features power-outlets on the driver's side and a large sliding access door on the passenger side. The aftermarket 5-spoke, 15-inch alloy wheels are in excellent condition free of road rash or surface deterioration.

Every Vanagon's interior is special, and in this case, extra-special. The front bucket seats (both twin captain's-chair-style armrests) retain their original subtle, striped-gray, fabric upholstery in well-maintained overall condition with only slight indications of wear and discoloration, especially on the passenger side. Door trim is utilitarian gray panels with switches for the power windows. The VW-logo steering wheel frames a simple but complete instrument cluster with an aftermarket cellphone holder to its right. Slide-lever controls for heat and ventilation, a Pioneer® audio head unit (in the factory-radio location), and air-conditioning controls complete the black dash. The automatic transmission shift lever is floor-mounted. Front-cabin carpeting is light gray, protected by rubber mats. The rear-cabin area maintains the light-gray color theme with window curtains, seating surfaces, fold-up table, and cabinetry in that color. Rubber mats cover the floor here. Bespoke Westphalia small appliances line one cabin wall. Storage cabinets and cubbies are ample. The canvas-lined (and “windowed”) pop-up roof with skylight adds an airy feel as well as space for the upper twin bunk. The double mattress in the lower cargo area extends to full-length with the rear seat folded. Before “tiny homes” were a thing, Westphalia had it down pat. The separate air-conditioning system for the rear cabin is functional.

Beneath the access panel under the floor in the rear of the cabin, the 2.2-liter horizontal 4-cylinder (new just 4,600 miles ago) is housed in a tidy, clean engine bay. All components are properly mounted, and surfaces show attention to regular engine maintenance. Viewed from below, the Vanagon's chassis is straight, complete, and free of damage. The front spare-tire carrier shows no indication of too-aggressive or extensive off-road use.

The Vanagon's factory mounted data stickers and vehicle-identification tags remain in place.

While the more than 145 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this VW Vanagon in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

“That's not a vehicle. It's a lifestyle statement,” one admirer is quoted as having said. As true as that statement is, this Vanagon is missing one of the distinctive features normally present on these adventure-oriented vehicles. There are no stickers showing destinations or life philosophies; they've all been removed by the prior owner to save as family mementos. This, of course, frees the next owner the joy of starting anew to record the Vanagon's history from this point forward, one sticker at a time.