1991 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia

- California Camper
- Orly Blue over Gray
- 2.2L 4 Cylinder
- Engine Rebuilt at 192k Miles
-Transmission Was Rebuilt At 160k

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1991 Volkswagen 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 200 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to its accident and damage-free Carfax history, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

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

The advertising headline quoting Car and Driver 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 magazine 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 beautifully refreshed Orly blue over light gray, is a 1991 VW Westfalia Camper from California in exceptionally well-maintained, fully renewed condition. This is the final year of the Vanagon model. A model that's legendary for routinely and effortlessly amassing very high mileage, this blue camper-van's odometer shows 192,548 total miles, fewer than 6,500 miles per-year on average since new. The stock and added equipment and features are comprehensively presented here in words and pictures, and together it amounts to an impressive adventure vehicle. (At the end of this description, the extensive list of equipment on the van is shown.)

The refreshed exterior non-metallic blue paint, a deep, reflective shade, shines uniformly across the entire body. Both paint and body panels (including the matching pop-up fiberglass roof) show no damage, marks, or scrapes. All body trim (including the upgraded black bumpers--with override bar and auxiliary driving lights in font--and the front grilles) is rendered in black, all of it free of damage as well. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) Factory badging is limited to the front grille VW logo repeated on the rear; 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 matte-black, 8-hole, 16-inch alloy wheels are mounted with General® 206/65 Grabber A/T tires (including a matching spare on the rear carrier).

Every Vanagon's interior is special, and in this case, extra-special. The front bucket seats (both twin captain's-chair-style armrests; the passenger seat swivels to face the rear, and for easy. Access to the battery compartment) retain their original subtle, gray tattersall-pattern, fabric upholstery in very well-maintained overall condition with only slight indications of slight wear and very light discoloration from normal use. Door trim is superb-condition, utilitarian gray panels with audio speakers and crank-handles for the windows. The VW-logo steering wheel frames a simple but complete instrument cluster with clear lenses and fresh-looking graphics. 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 and cargo areas maintain the light-gray color theme with window curtains, seating surfaces, fold-up table, and cabinetry in that color. The floors here have been re-done in premium light-wood-look slats. Bespoke Westphalia small appliances line one cabin wall. Storage cabinets and cubbies are ample. The tan 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, Westfalia had it down pat. (Please view the close-up photography in the gallery to assess the excellent condition of the Vanagon's interior surfaces.)

Beneath the access panel under the floor in the rear of the cabin, the 2.2-liter horizontal 4-cylinder is housed in a tidy, very clean engine bay. The engine was rebuilt at 192,000 miles and the automatic transmission was rebuilt at 160,000 miles. 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. Lower engine surfaces are also very clean, and only minimal light surface rust is present on some untreated metal, primarily the exhaust pipes.

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

While the more than 130 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this 1990 “Westy” 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.



“That's not a vehicle. It's a lifestyle statement,” one Vanagon 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 California owner to save as family mementos. This, of course, frees the next owner for the joy of starting anew to record the Vanagon's history from this point forward, one sticker, one adventure at a time.


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Mechanical Upgrades:

Engine was rebuilt at 192,002 to a 2.2-liter WBX with brand new AMC heads, new pistons, sleeves, main bearings, connecting rods / bearings, camshaft, oil pump were all new at time of rebuild.
Transmission was rebuilt (at 160k before current owner and without documentation). A fluid change and filter performed on it 12/12/21
Foreign Auto Supply aluminum transmission cooler.

Working factory cruise control
Working factory rear mounted A/C (recent AC compressor, receiver drier, expansion valve)
Working factory power locks, windows
RMW Twin Peaks steel bumpers front and rear

RWM driver's side spare tire swing out
RMW Stainless steel coolant pipes.
RMW Stainless steel coolant tower
Aluminum thermostat housing
Gowesty stainless exhaust headers
New muffler / tailpipe and mounting brackets
New CA Legal catalytic converter (passes CA smog without issue)

Metal rear heater Tees
Bilstein shocks
Stainless steel brake lines
New Zimmerman drums, ATE brake shoes, spring kit on rear brakes.
NEW Zimmerman front rotors, SKF wheel bearings, ATE pads, Amsoil racing grease and rebuilt calipers.
Gowesty leveling springs
New General Grabber ATX tires
Gowesty black eurolook wheels
Full fuel system service. All Fuel lines replaced with 30R14 Gates barricade hose / new clamps; Injectors cleaned / spray tested. New upper and lower injector seals, fuel filter. Temp 2 sensor, o2 sensor replaced, new Bosch fuel pump, tank reseal.
Jack Bombay pop-top struts
3-window canvas tent
4-light South African grille
LED low-beam headlights with integrated turn signal
Piaa LED High beams mounted on RMW light bar
European Truck mirrors

Interior Upgrades:

New carpet throughout
Ceramic window tint
LED dash lighting
4 new Pioneer speakers.
100 A/H AGM Battery bank
Vinyl light-gray woodloook flooring
100W Roof mounted Solar panel
1000W Inverter under rear seat
Renogy 40Amp DC DC charger with 6awg wiring directly to alternator
TF49 Truckfridge with RMW Install kit
additional LED lighting throughout
New Pioneer Bluetooth-capable head unit
shurflo adjustable flow faucet
Rubber floor mats throughout.
Full dash-out service. New all metal heater core, blower motor, new foam on vents, cables lubricated.
New TMI front door panels.
New TMI products charcoal carpet kit
Additional 12v outlet on dash.
ARB awning
NEW Gowesty gray curtains throughout
All Gray Westfalia metal items in interior have been powdercoated in the original gray color.
Comes with kitchen enamelware (plates, bowls, cups, silverware)
Gowesty 2" memory foam mattress topper included.