1979 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Camper


The vital stats:
VIN: 2392005740
2.0L horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, rear-mounted and air-cooled.
67 SAE net horsepower at 4200 rpm.
101 lb.-ft. SAE net torque at 3000 rpm.
7.3:1 compression ratio.
Single camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder, hydraulic valve lifters.
Aluminum crankcase and cylinder heads.
Rear-wheel drive.
5.5" x 14" steel wheels.
Bosch 55-amp alternator.
Four-wheel independent torsion bar suspension.
Worm and roller steering, not power-assisted.
Four-speed manual transmission.
Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection.
Front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, dual circuit, power-assisted.
Wheelbase: 94.5" (7.9 feet).
Length: 177.4" (14.8 feet).
Width: 67.7" (5.6 feet).
Height: 80.0" (6.7 feet).
Ground Clearance: 7.8" (0.7 feet).
Seating for four occupants, including driver.
Westfalia deluxe camper package:
  • Westfalia camping interior
  • Sink with onboard water tank and city water connection
  • 2-burner propane stove
  • Electric refrigerator (12v or 110v)
  • Pop-up roof
  • Child's cot
  • Two beds
  • Closet with hanging rod and mirror
  • Two tables
  • Swivel front passenger seat
  • Rear hatch insect screen
  • Jalousie windows with insect screens
  • Full curtains


In terms of modifications from stock, the Bus has a number of accessories.


April 7, 2003: As of Friday April 4, my '79 Bus is now my '79 ex-Bus. It was sold to a fine young couple who will no doubt put it to its intended use. I got lots of interest in the Bus and it sold quickly, in under a week. I guess that can be attributed not only to the condition of the Bus but also its relative rarity up here in New England. It's not very often I see a VW Bus (or even a Vanagon) on the road, let alone a nice non-rusty one. I guess that's what happens when you are in an area with long winters and lots of corrosive road salt. Not to mention with a vehicle made in the days before galvanizing body panels was a common thing.

I was a bit sad to see the Bus drive off under the direction of its new owner. I don't think anyone has driven that Bus except for me ever since I bought it in 1999. But I'm glad with the knowledge that the new owners have some great road trips ahead of them in that Bus. So as a send-off, below are the last pictures I took of the Bus before it was sold.


February 19, 2003: Well, we got a lot of snow on 2/17. However, it was a dry powdery snow and the wind was kind to the Bus, piling the snow up in a drift next to the Bus rather than burying it. But then again it did have a dead battery when I tried to start it. The MINI got buried a little more convincingly.


My girlfriend Kate and I took a trip to Nova Scotia in May 2002. Here are some pics of the Bus on that trip.


Below are some pictures I took of the van in front of my parents' house in Fairfax, VA in 1999. Click on the thumbnails for full-size pictures.