Go Exploring In This 1980 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia

Just like the Volkswagen Type 2 (Bus) models that preceded it, the Volkswagen Vanagon has a fairly large following. These interesting looking vans go hand-in-hand with the phrase “It’s about the journey, not about the destination,” with this 1980 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia making an excellent candidate for a road trip machine.

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Streetside Classics in Mesa, Arizona offers this beige beauty for sale, noting that it is a ready-to-go example that’s 'ready to hit the beach, concert or even a week under the stars.' I’m inclined to agree with the seller, because I would absolutely love taking this well-preserved Vanagon on any of those aforementioned journeys.

With the exception of a dent on the rear bumper, every bit of this van is clean, from the well-preserved exterior to the brown interior, which nicely complements the exterior color. The cabin is the keystone of the Vanagon, providing most of the vehicle’s appeal.

Up front, there are cloth bucket seats (the passenger seat can face rearwards!) and the rear bench seat can fold down into a bed. Additionally, the Vanagon features comforts such as cabinets, a fold-out table, a sink, and a cooking top, as well as a place for a refrigerator.

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While this Vanagon isn’t a speed demon, it is certainly faster than its predecessor. That isn’t saying a ton, but the air-cooled 2.0-liter flat 4-cylinder engine runs great and as a bonus, it pairs to a 4-speed manual transmission. There were also few upgrades were made to improve the vehicle’s driving feel, including modern Michelin tires and a set of disc brakes in the front. Last but not least, this is an extremely low-mileage example of a Westfalia, with just 32,215 miles on the clock.