Westfalia Hardtop Camper - All Upgrades Finished Within The Past Year on 2040-cars

1964 Volkswagen Bus

Part Hawaiian-themed California surf mobile, part original Westfalia hardtop camper, and part modern electronics masterpiece.

All work was finished within the past year with less than 3,000 miles on all upgrades, and dated receipts are available for all parts and labor.

Picture this…it is night time, and you have driven your classic VW bus to your favorite surf spot, campsite, trailhead, or stadium tailgate to get an early start on the next morning’s activities.  A few other people are there, and starting to set up their tents.  You?  Not a chance. 

Modern Electronics Masterpiece

First things first…you tilt the rear bench seat in your bus and fold it out to enjoy your custom built Hide-A-Bed made from high-density foam that stretches from side to side…a pleasure on which to sleep.  Your next step is to turn on the 2 power invertors hidden under the bed…here’s where the fun begins.  Next, go ahead and power on the Samsung 32” LED 3D SmartTV, the Bose Acoustimass 10 home entertainment system with subwoofer and 5 speakers, the Yamaha receiver, and PS3 game system. 

The Bose subwoofer is hidden inside a custom built ottoman turned into a speaker box.  The ottoman can be used for additional seating.  It also has two separate padded and covered tops that can be completely removed and turned upside down to act as trays for eating on your lap during a movie.  The Yamaha receiver is hidden under the bench seat behind a tinted plexi-glass window that allows the remote control waves to reach the receiver.  The PS3 unit mounts in a recharging station for the 6 supplied controllers and motion eye camera.  Your movies and video games even have their own vertical storage rack.

Next, flip on the custom LED lighting that is sunken into the wood trim of the headliner on both sides of the bus.  I usually go with a dark shade of red for movie night, but you can set the lights to any color you like.  You can also raise the TV mount all the way to the roof to allow a clear view of the TV while lying in bed, or adjust the TV to eye level if you are sitting in the bench seat.  I had the shop modify the bulkhead slightly by cutting out just the spare tire carrier indentation that protrudes into the passenger cargo area.  That took up too much room.  A support bracket and full-length piece of thick-gauge sheet metal was then installed from side to side to act as an ultra-stable anchor for the TV mount...you can watch TV in the fully upright position while the bus is driving. 

Now, put your favorite Blue-Ray or 3D movie (2 pairs of Samsung 3D glasses are included) or video game into the PS3, and let your family and friends enjoy the modern amenities of a high-end RV hidden inside a 50 year-old VW bus.  I guarantee your kids, if you have any, will be content to drive as long as you want without complaining at all...as long as they get to sit in the back seats.

Under the custom wood paneling and headliner, you will find the entire interior of the bus (including the trunk deck, roof, and all doors) covered with sound deadening material which, combined with the Bose system, high-end Yamaha receiver, and high-end Monster connection cables, produces a crystal-clear sound that rivals a recording studio.  The 2 front Bose speakers are custom mounted to be hidden above the front sun visors.  The 2 rear Bose speakers are custom mounted in the upper rear corners of the bus.  The Bose center channel speaker is permanently attached to the TV, so it provides accurate sound whichever way the TV is angled. 

This type of system produces ultra high-end sound for a large living room.  How do you think Pink Floyd sounds in a 5'x10' metal box completely covered with sound deadening material???  Most people that watch a Blue-Ray movie in the bus will actually jump during intense scenes.  I have actually caught myself turning my head to see if the background sounds of a movie were actually coming from just outside the bus...I'm not kidding.   

I think you will agree that this bus is ridiculous J

Hawaiian-Themed Wood and Tiki Interior

While watching your movie, glance around to appreciate your custom, one-of-a-kind, Hawaiian-themed wood and tiki interior.  The panels are all hand-built, and stained honey gloss with contrasting dark mission oak on the outside frames.  They are attached with over 100 brass screws for a classy touch…with each screw head installed to face the same direction.  Attention to detail like this is apparent throughout the bus. 

The full-length headliner is a hand-made tapestry I bought while in Hawaii.  It is made of the pressed bark of a mulberry tree with hand-painted Hawaiian graphics and symbols.  The tapestry is mounted to wood paneling that mirrors the curvature of the roof, with new insulation and Fat Mat layered above.  There are also custom wood bows and trim pieces for the headliner, which are all hand-stained with dark mission oak to match the frames of the paneling.  To finish off the decor, there is a small bamboo table with an attached Tiki statute, matching beach-themed pillows, Hawaiian leis, and a set of 3 pictures of a beach in Maui.

The interior of the front cab area was also completely redone in correct factory black within the past year.  I decided to go with a stock look, instead of the Hawaiian theme.  The side pop-outs and rear window have a dark limo tint, so the only view a person gets of the inside of the bus (unless the cargo doors are open) is that of the front cab area…which just looks like any nice, stock-looking, classic bus.  Think of it like a mullet haircut…all factory and business up front, with a party going on in the rear.

The new parts in the front cab include powdercoated seat frames, seat covers and padding, seatbelts, large floor mat, side seat mats, door panels, kicker panels, headliner panels, door handles, steering wheel and horn cap, turn signal switch, ignition switch, gas pedal and bracket, sun visors, ashtray, mirror, grab bar, drink holder, etc….  I also added a RetroSound radio in the factory dash cutout to keep the stock appearance, but the radio is digital and accepts a USB/Ipod connection.  It also plays through the Bose Acoustimass 10 system.  There are also separate 12v and USB connections hidden under the dash to allow the use of plug-in devices while driving, such as a GPS or cell phone charger.    

Batteries, Power Inverters, Isolators…and More Batteries

The bus is powered by 3, yes 3, Ultima Yellow Top batteries…2 in the engine compartment and 1 under the rear bench seat/bed.  The system also has two separate power inverters.  One inverter and one battery run just the PS3 system (due to its heavy draw), and the second inverter and second battery run the other electronic devices in the bus.  The third battery is devoted solely to running the bus, so you can never get stranded by a drained battery from using the entertainment system all night.  Also, when the bus engine is running, the alternator powers up the weakest battery in the 3-battery chain, and then moves to the next one in line.  Of course, I also added a complete new wiring harness, fuse box, and everything else connected to the electrical system.    

The entire entertainment system can run for two hours on high volume without ever starting the engine or plugging into an electric outlet.  You can literally be anywhere in the world and run the full system long enough to watch an entire movie.  And, if your campsite has an electric hook-up, you can even plug an extension cord directly into the Westfalia external outlet on the rear of the bus to run all day and night.  The system also was specifically designed to bypass the power inverters and batteries to use only the external power source, if one is available.  

Did I mention the tailgating possibilities???  I added 2 extra power strips hidden under the rear bench seat/bed for you to plug in any additional electric device you may like.  How about a mini-kegerator for a cold brew before the big game, or a coffeemaker to take off the morning chill from dawn patrol on the surfboard, or a blender for those tropical drinks midday at the beach, or a portable heater for those cold mountain nights at the campsite?  The possibilities are endless, and I have used all of these devices in my bus.

It gets better.  If you want to take the party outside, the arm of the custom-built TV mount can also be extended, rotated, and titled so the 32” TV and Bose center channel speaker are positioned to face out the open cargo doors.  You and the whole campground can watch a movie…or you can play frisbee golf or go bowling with the PS3 motion eye camera…all while relaxing outside the bus under the stars in the middle of nowhere. 

Like I said, this bus is ridiculous J   

The Mexican Border Is Only 15 Miles Away From My House

Importantly, you can always leave the bus parked with piece of mind that it will be right where you left it when you get back.  I added a locking Gene Berg shifter, with new shift coupler, front shift bushing, etc....  Aside from the performance aspects and sweet shifting of the Gene Berg, a removable key locks the shifter into reverse so the bus cannot be driven.  There is no way to disengage the transmission from reverse unless you remove the shifter (at least a 30 minute ordeal). 

But, if you have not noticed, there are backups on almost everything in this bus.  I added a remote alarm with custom sensors built into every entry point, in the engine compartment, and even behind the gas tank door (to protect against the occasional scoop of sugar from a neighbor feud or from the ex with a grudge).  It also has a couple of other major theft devices that will be disclosed only to the new buyer.  Hint: it is not the two German Shepherds...although the black one is kind of partial to the bus. 

I also added dark limo tint to the rear window and all the pop-out windows for added privacy and security.  The tint was done correctly, with the film applied to the windows BEFORE the new chrome frames were assembled…no seams, no gaps.  I used all original VW glass (Sekurit logos) and new Wolfsburg West rubber.  I also upgraded and used the large, early-bus spoon latches that open to about 6” instead of the stock 2”.  The large spoon latches make a HUGE difference in getting air circulating through the bus on hot days.  The shop used custom attachments to fit the early-bus large spoon latches into a 1964, and allow the windows to open properly.

The Truck-Lite LED headlights are also an added safety feature.  They are the best and brightest available on the market.  They cost around $450 for the pair, but they make the aftermarket HID lighting system in my Tahoe look dim.  For me, they are worth every penny for every classic vehicle I own.  Not only can you see the road much better, but other drivers can see you from far away or coming up to a blind intersection…and that’s always a good thing in a 50 year-old VW bus.   

The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Is On Fire…

I also thought about the possibility of an accidental fire destroying the bus and all the expensive electronics.  So, I mounted a large, chrome fire extinguisher next to the driver seat.  It looks great…but, you will never need it.  This bus also has a Blaze Cut Fire Suppression System routed in the engine compartment.  These systems are available in Europe for high-end cars, and only recently available in the U.S.  The flexible pressurized tube is filled with FE-36, a clean extinguishing agent that does not conduct electricity, corrode, or cause shock damage.  Basically, if the temperature reaches a certain point because of a fire, the tube melts in that spot and the pressurized agent is automatically sprayed over the entire engine compartment.  So, you might not even know an engine fire has begun and the system will have already put it out…and with no resulting damage because the clean agent will not harm anything.    

What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been…The History of My Bus

I bought this 1964 CA black plate bus in July 2012 in Temecula, CA, which is located about 40 miles NE of San Diego…a very dry climate.  It is an original Westfalia hardtop camper that was factory painted Dove Blue.  I purchased the bus from the former owner of a VW repair shop that went out of business a few years ago.  He had been using the bus for parts runs and advertising (you can see his logo on the rear top panel of the bus in one of the pictures).  By the time I found it, the bus had been sitting in the shop owner’s driveway for a couple of years and driven very infrequently.  The cargo area was basically gutted (except for a few remnants of the original Westfalia interior), and it had Toyota truck seats in the front.  But, the body and paint were in good overall condition and, being owned by a VW repair shop, the bus was a solid Westfalia hardtop camper.  It was exactly what I needed for my project.

The owner of the VW shop had the bus for 11 years, and he had bought it from his father-in-law that lived down the road, who owned it since the early-1970’s.  I have included a picture of the bus as it was trailered home last July.  The off-white paint was only a few years old, and actually shined up quite nicely after a waxing (and logo removal).  The interior had been left the original, factory color of Dove Blue.  After driving the bus for a couple of months in the condition it was purchased, I started the project.   

I had a vision of what I wanted out of my bus, and the VW restoration shop I used in San Diego made it all come to life.  The shop only works on VW busses.  So, they knew exactly how to pull all my ideas together into a workable system.  I wanted a totally unique bus that allowed me to enjoy my other passions in life (like surfing, camping, and just plain old road trips).  I did not want a VW bus that was a “magazine car” that I drove only to the occasional car show.  I have a few other high-end vehicles for that “show” factor.  I wanted one I could spend a month in just traveling around California. 

All the upgrades were professionally performed within the last 10-12 months by the shop, and I have receipts for all parts and labor (a full folder).  I have driven this bus no more than 3,000 miles since the work was completed.  It is not my daily driver, and I have 4 other classic vehicles in my collection that get driven.  The exterior paint and the body were in good overall condition when I purchased the bus.  Because I wanted a bus I could drive down a dirt or gravel road without having a heart attack, I did not want to invest thousands in a new paint job.  This really was the perfect bus for my project and how I intended to use the bus.  No surprises to the new buyer...the paint is starting to bubble in some spots on the very bottom of the lower passenger rocker panel, the bottom 1” of the nose, and on the bottom of the front window frames (new windshield seals were used and no leaks are present).  Although this was an "unlimited budget" type of build, I did not feel the need to address those areas unless I wanted a true "magazine car."  Everything else, including the frame, is solid.  The new owner can certainly take it to the absolute show-winner level by finishing off the paint.     

Even though I did not want a full rotisserie restoration for my bus, I still wanted to jazz it up on the outside when I bought it.  I added complete new exterior accessories from Wolfsburg West, including a new large "VW" emblem and rear "Volkswagen" script, round mirrors (w/clamps and arms), wipers, antenna, complete headlight assemblies (w/LED replacement headlights from Truck-Lite), front turn signal assemblies, taillight assemblies, new front and rear bumpers (w/overriders, mounting brackets, and hardware), and new weather stripping, including for both windshields, front door frames, cargo doors, rear window, engine to body seals, engine lid to body seal, and rear hatch seal.  I also added new chrome pop-out frames, with original VW "Sekurit" glass, and all new pop-out glass to frame seals, body seals, and outer frame seals.   

How Does She Run?

Mechanically, the bus was completely inspected from drivetrain to brakes to suspension system.  All issues were addressed.  The 1600cc dual port engine, with dual 40mm kadron carbs, was fully disassembled and inspected…all new parts were used where needed.  The big nut reduction gear boxes were inspected and found to be in perfect condition, and allow highway cruising at 70mph.  The RGB oil was changed twice in the past year for full preventative maintenance.  The alternator and distributor were upgraded.  I also added a high-end Vintage Speed exhaust…sounds amazing…looks amazing.  The previous owner had recently replaced all the brake lines and brake shoes, so those were inspected and found to be fine.  I added Bilstein shocks (makes a HUGE difference), new tie rod ends, new steering dampener, new 15” Sprintstar rims, and Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires (195 65R 15). 

This bus needs absolutely nothing, and can be driven across the country without hesitation.  We took the bus on a four-week camping trip earlier this summer that led us up the coast of California on Hwy 1 (short video attached), then on to San Francisco (Haight & Ashbury, of course), then inland to Lake Tahoe, then down to Yosemite, then through Kings Canyon N.P. and Sequoia N.P., and finally back home to San Diego…not one hiccup the entire 1,500 mile trip…except for all the people stopping us to talk about the bus!  The trip was simply breathtaking, and I will remember those memories in this bus for the rest of my life.

This bus has been the absolute hit at every surf spot, campground, trailhead, and stadium tailgate we have visited over the past year.  The only reason I am letting this bus go is because I have an incredible business opportunity in which to invest.  I am selling a few vehicles out of my collection to help fund the venture.  I have also decided to sell my restomod 1973 Camaro RS Z/28 (marina blue with black stripes) with over 500hp, and a rotisserie 1984 Jeep C7 Laredo (sebring red) with less than 100 miles on the restoration.  These are going up for sale in the next few weeks, possibly at the Mecum auction in Irvine, CA next month.  If anyone has interest in either of these vehicles in advance, please feel free to contact me.  Without question, however, this bus is the most personal to me and the hardest one for me to decide to sell.  Let’s just get it done then, I say.   

To reiterate, the entire upgrade of this bus was finished within the past year, and there are no more than 3,000 miles on it since completion.  I bought the new VW parts and accessories almost exclusively from Wolfsburg West...no cheap, swap meet crap.  And, all of the electronics and gadgets are as modern as they get…no 12 year-old TV in this bad boy. 

We have all seen classic VW busses with some neat upgrades (and some not so neat upgrades).  Personally, I have never seen a bus as cool as this one…even if I do say so myself.  Note the completely restored California black plates...SHINY...and the vintage (and some VERY rare) surf decals in rear window (treated with UV protectant).

Let's Get Down to the Nitty-Gritty

I will give it to you straight…I have never seen a bus like this one come up for sale, so I had this one built.  This was not a project that took a few months, or even a couple of years.  This project took my whole life to pull upon all the little ideas I had developed over the years.  I wanted to go on road trips and have a comfortable bed (not some down-sized version to make room for a closet I will never use), a classy Hawaiian-themed interior (more than a bobble-head hula girl on the dash),  a real TV (not a 15" fold-down version I have to squint to see), a real sound system (Bose...Yamaha...enough said), and things to do when I arrived at my destination (PS3 for a movie under the stars after a hard day hiking or a game of Frisbee golf with the motion eye camera).  Not too much to ask of a restoration shop, right??? 

I am not a guy flipping cars.  I am a lover of old vehicles, surfing, and life, in general.  I built this bus for me.  This type of custom work costs a lot of money, especially when it's done correctly by a VW-specialty shop in Southern California.  Go ahead and call your local restoration shop and give them the list of everything custom done to this bus...I guarantee you will faint when you hear the estimate for shop time and parts.  I have over $1000 just in Yellow Top batteries and power invertors, another $750 for the alarm with custom entry sensors, another $1000 for the chrome/tinted pop-outs with original Sekurit glass and large spoon latches, another $500 for the Gene Berg shifter, another nearly $500 for the LED headlights, another $500 for the Vintage Speed Exhaust.  Do you have any idea how much the Samsung 32" LED 3D SmartTv, the Bose system, the Yamaha receiver, and the PS3 cost?  How about over $3,000 just for the electronics.  I have over $400 just in Hyper-Speed Monster connection cables.  The custom TV mount was $400...then the shop had to customize it to be able to extend both up to the roof and out to the cargo doors.   How about the custom-made, side-to-side Hide-A-Bed...made with high-density (comfortable) foam?  Try over $750 for the materials and labor to build it.  Now, go ahead and price ALL the new bus parts...like the ENTIRE front cab, the weatherstripping, Bilstein shocks, Sprintstar rims, Bridgestone tires, etc....  Next, add in the shop time ($110 an hour) to install EVERYTHING.  And, remember, these are ALL new parts and work.

Considering the amount of custom work and new parts I have in the bus over the past year, my Buy-It-Now price is a steal. 

This is your chance to own this one-of-a-kind AND very useful classic VW bus.  I had no idea I would even consider selling it after less than a year of enjoying it.  I can certainly appreciate that I am going to lose my ass on this bus.  But, I simply cannot pass up the business opportunity that is in front of me...so, the bus must go.  Treat yourself and your family to a great investment…in yourselves…if you don’t use this bus to make fun and lasting memories, there is something wrong with you.  I do not think this bus will be on the market for long, so act now. 

Sorry, but the chrome Aloha surf racks and surfboards shown in the pictures are not included in this listing.  Those boards are worth a few thousand dollars alone and are my wall-hangers, and the surf racks belong to my '65 21-window walkthrough (not for sale...the 21-window, the surfboards, or the surf racks...not even open for discussion).  However, I will include the 10’x10’ shelter that fits across the open cargo doors you see in a few of the photos.  It makes a perfect shade for daylight use of the TV, and you can also hang around outside the bus if it rains.  It can also be used with the three walls enclosed to make it a private room attached to the bus…and, if you add a few camp chairs, some Christmas lights, and tiki torches it makes a perfect outdoor theater!!!  I will also include some great PS3 games for around the campsite...Sports Champions for the motion eye camera, which includes frisbee golf, bocce, ping-pong, and beach volleyball...also, Brunswick pro bowling and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13.  Force your friends to use glue on their hand if you have to, but please make sure nobody accidentally throws the controller into the TV!!!  

Feel free to ask me any questions about the build.  I will, however, not post my phone number on the internet.  So, if you have serious interest, please send me an email with your telephone number and I will call you asap.

The bus is being sold "as is" with no warranties of any kind.  Not sure why anyone would want to, but no refunds, no exchanges, and no returns.  Buyer is responsible for all shipping costs and liability, but I will gladly help on my end to make it a smooth pick up for the shipping company.  All funds must clear my bank before the bus is released.  If you have any questions, you need to ask them before you place your bid.  I am a California attorney, but I'm not a jerk, so please don't jerk me around.  Please have all your finances in order before committing to enter into a binding contract with me for the purchase of this vehicle.  Clear CA title, registered until 7/2014.

$29,995

Mahalo for looking, and God bless!!!