Few vehicles are as iconic as a classic Volkswagen Vanagon Camper. There’s something about a VW bus that conjures up stories from the past.
However, very few of those tales involve a VW camper as unique as the one now available on eBay. The lovingly restored first-generation 1974 pop-top Vanagon Camper was originally built in Brazil.
You read that right. This is a 1974 Type 2 microbus from the first generation of production. VW stopped US sales of first-generation campers after the 1967 model year. Meanwhile, production of the split-windshield original bus continued in Brazil until 1975.
Painstaking Restoration
This Vanagon Camper is finished in two-tone mint green and white with a matching interior. Restorers sandblasted and repainted it during a painstaking process. They replaced hard-to-find chrome trim, glass, bumpers, emblems, and weatherstripping.
The result is flawless: laser-straight body panels, consistent gaps—and a rear hatch and doors that open and close like the day they left the factory.
Inside, the bus is as clean and tidy as the exterior. The complete Vanagon camper kit is in place and operational.
The list of Vanagon Camper features and accessories includes:
- Upholstered seats in matching white leatherette that fold into a bed
- A screened pop-top for plenty of room to stand up
- A dinette with facing bench seats
- Wood cabinetry with tons of storage areas
- Refrigerator and sink
- Multiple Power outlets
A Vanagon Camper Time Capsule
The spotless front compartment includes renewed carpets and door panels, along with a new headliner and an original steering wheel.
Other body enhancements include real wood on the rear ceiling, a rare dual pop-up Safari front windshields for ventilation, and a wood-trimmed roof rack with a side ladder for access.
Porsche mag wheels with newer radial tires were added, along with a front disc-brake conversion for increased performance and safety.
The Vanagon Camper’s thoroughly detailed engine compartment houses an upgraded 1,600cc air-cooled four-cylinder engine with dual carburetors for increased power. A four-speed manual transmission brings power to the wheels. The gas tank and fuel lines are new.
The Vanagon Camper is Timeless and Easy to Maintain
First-generation Type 2 Volkswagen Buses have shot up in value in recent years. They are riding a wave of nostalgia and appreciation for their simplicity and readily available parts.
That makes them easy and inexpensive to maintain, drive, and show off. But few are as well-restored and appealing as this one for sale on eBay.
