frist time buyer

[harryk]

Going to be looking for a 1970’s camper soon. What do I need to know before I buy.
How can I ask the right questions and sound like I know what I’m taking about .and can you recommend some homework I can do before I start. Thank for any help

[scooterdoc]

I know of an early 70's bay that's for sale in the south west, cos I was at Exeter bug centre the other day and someone came in to let them know it was up for sale. I was earwigging it has about 7 months mot, and is blue and yellow. I think it's a 72 crossover model so tax exempt. It would probably need front wheel arch/steps doing before next mot, but looked ok.

Try them on www.exeterbugcentre.com ( I don't work for them but they did a great job on my bus and put it on their site homepage )

[kvwloon]

Hmmm, having bought my first camper a few months ago, first thing I would decide is your basic criteria ...I'm by no means an expert, still learning, but...

1) Do you want the earliest decent example you can get (more of a classic), or the latest decent example you can get (more design improvements, i.e. brake servo etc). Tax exempt is always nice! :cool:
2) Do you want a camping interior or not? if so, does it matter if it's Westfalia / Devon made conversions etc... Westfalia generally more durable, desirable and more expensive, Devon is just fine for me, and nice, but later Devon conversions more usable than early I believe, due to improved layout. Dormobile conversions OK, but converted from panel van rather than leaving factory with windows all round, and generally a tiny bit less desirable I beleive. (Waits for complaints from Dormobile owners :rolleyes: )
3)Does it need to be mechanically/structurally sound, or can you tackle it yourself, or do you just want to tinker with the interior a bit?
4) Does it matter what engine size. Personally I wouldn't go below 1600cc.

Other than that, I would say read, read, then read a bit more about them before you go anywhere near one. There are quite a few books about them, and in several VW mag back-issues there are buyers guides.
Don't necessarily buy the first one you see, generally it's a given you know when you have found the right one pretty much immediately. Even a scan of a Haynes manual will help a bit.

When you do take a look at one, take your time, crawl all over it, especially underneath with a bright torch, as they rot very well, and take a drive, no less than 20 minutes. Takes a bit of getting used to compared to a modern car, but I prefer driving mine now to my water cooled VW.

There are plenty of nice people in the air-cooled scene willing to offer advice, enjoy.....beats driving a modern soul-less eurobox anyday :)

Good luck.