1968 westy!?

[Arizona_928]

I was given the chance to get a vw westy. the interior is really nice. wood headliner, and leathette interior. No plaid though. It has a rebuilt engine, with carbs. The exterior is rough. acouple rust spots. I'm not sure if it would make daily driver ability, What do you guys think?

[RWebb]

A lot depends on you and your route for that driving, traffic, etc.

Byron may be the most knowledgeable guy here on that age Bus.

Also, check out the Samba.

got any pics of it?

[Flieger]

Sounds cool.

[Racerbvd]

As Webb said,

A lot depends on you

Are you good at turning wrenches?? They are very simple and easy to maintain, the biggest issue is rust, and now, pretty much every panel is offered in the aftermarket. They aren't fast (but that can be changed) they don't handle very well (that can also be changed) and the brakes aren't that great (that too can be changed).
If the rust isn't too bad (check under the Grateful Dead Stickers) and you understand, it doesn't handle like a Porsche, it should be fine. I traveled to many a BMX race & surf road trip in a buddies Westy, and we had a blast in that one and I loved my 67. Any pix?? There are a lot of upgrades that weren't available when I played with them that can make a solid handling(semi, it is still a brick that will move with heavy wind) & better braking. Check out the Samba and let us know what you do..

[Mark Henry]

Westy's are great, if you have the skills and tools it can be made an inexpensive daily driver.
If you have to pay someone to fix it then that's a different story. They often need a bit of tinkering.

68 has the 1600 beetle engine, you can't drive much over 65mph without shortening the life of the engine. Stick to that rule and they can be reliable and fun.
They can go (and camp) almost anywhere a stock 4X4 can go.

[Arizona_928]

I do know how to wrench. It's a straight trade for my jeep. The only deal breaker for me is that the front end was peppered by what looks like 0 buckshot. besides that there is fade marks on the paint from stickers and such. very little rust, but I didn't have it up in the air to fully look everything over.

Here's my jeep.... don't mind the S4.

[crustychief]

I would trade, you won't be able to safely tow like that though. I love my bus.

[Rot 911]

Also keep in mind where you live. Westy with no AC in Phoenix, in summer?

[GothingNC]

73 and have braces installed to prevent body intrusion during a frontal collision.

Just don't hit the brakes before hitting another vehicle to prevent the nose from diving.

TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bay Window Crashworthiness--VW Documentation

"From 1973, the Transporter was built to withstand standard U.S front impact tests for passenger cars, with the driver able to survive a head-on collision at 52km/h, despite there being no engine in the front--a remarkable feat."

[Tobra]

How are your welding skills?

I would love to get an old Westy, but my wife would probably shoot me if I did

[RWebb]

you can fill the "buckshot" declivities, primer it and repaint just the front - lotsa labor and some artisan-ship but not spendy if you DIY

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Here's my jeep.... don't mind the S4.

That Jeep is nice, and it's doing a good job of towing that 928 to the dump.