1973 VW Bus - Mechanically restored - Daughters Daily Driver

Thanks for looking!
For sale is the daughters beloved 1973 VW Bus: Daizy!
Here's the story... she bought mid High School and unfortunately learned all about "fraudulentmisrepresentation"!
It hardly was the represented "runs well" with thecarburetorinstalled backwards... but that was nothing compared to the tappet ring bouncing around the cylinder...
And because the motor hardly moved the car.... nobody mentioned the fact the master cylinder was shot and the rear brakes pipes rusted through... Initially we got about 5 miles a pint.... of brake fluid!
That said.... we all "manned up" and learned our lesson... and started the repairs and happy to provide receipts (most still probably have some sort of warranty):.
1. McNabb Auto (Fort Lauderdale) dropped the motor, eplaced two cylinders and mounted thecarburetorproperly.
2, New Engine Tin and Foam Surround for Engine Cooling installed. Heater Tubes Capped.
3. Replaced the master brake cylinder and the required brake lines.
4. Front Brakes have been changed to Disk Brakes
5. New Front Seats Installed
6. New Front Seat Belts Installed.
7. New Headliner Installed - Windows Removed for Installation. (Note the Headliner Material goes to bottom of window... versus top of window)
8. New Front Windshield Blinds Installed.
9. New Tires -- All four - 200 Miles since installed.
10. Rear L Shape Bench Installed.
11. 3 Seat Belts in Rear Chassis mounted.
12. Air Horn Installed.
13, M/FM/CD Pioneer Stereo with mobile Phone Audio Input
14, lue LED front Interior Lights - White around rear seats withseparatedimmer.
So.... if I were buying it today I'd say it ismechanicallysound. Cosmetically it looks great and will for 3-5 years.... but rust spots are starting in the expected spots. In another series f years the rust will grow and another round of paint will be needed... but you can have fun today... safely (It was the onlydaughter'scar after all and is fine for what a Bus is). The Daisy's stickers on the back and sides are removable as they are only vinyl decals.
We took out the original factory aftermarket a/c (McNab removed the compressor and it is no longer - albeit it also didn't work) The interior evaporator and fans did work when removed. Other A/C components are installed but status is questionable.... For thosemechanicallyand technicallyadept... could make a good weekend/summer project... but nopromises!
I will say every upgrade allows you to see what hasn't been... the beautiful Headliner (only a month old) now shows how the paint in the interior needs refreshed... actually I started to just clean it... nothing like 40 years of hand grime!
Nothing about Daisy will embarrass you... she runs great -- burns oil as you'd expect (and drips) but all in all is a sound fun car.... drives straight and solid at 55 on highway!
FYI.... Daughters college doesn't allow cars as freshman.... so you'll be helping her tuition while gaining a fun toy!
To us... it is more like putting Daisy up for adoption... not selling!
:)
Added facts: Production Date 10/1972... Titled as a 1973.... but has an Engine Compartment Lid which was apparently a 1974 addition.... per what I've been told.
Parts seem to be 1973... occasionally 1974... and we have found nothing we can't replace on-line!
Happy to send additional pictures and answer any/all questions.
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A summary of a multitude of inquires:
Thanks for inquiring about our VW bus.
As indicated in the listing this was bought for my daughter for her college years. She's now going to University of Tampa of which does not allow freshmen to have a car which has changed all of her plans.
We bought this a few years back and it was repainted for sale yet had been mechanically neglected... Which is probably polite.
From a father's perspective the first priority was getting her up and running and safe for her daughter. As I'm sure your father would appreciate.
So from your road trip needs I believe she'd be a fabulous vehicle to traverse the nation. My daughter laughs that she gets a lot of creepy old men giving her the peace sign... It is from our generation after all.... And we're all living vicariously through our kids.... and you'll also find that you'll get a lot of "I'd like to buy this" type offers... I never know how sincere they really are.
What else can I tell you... The L shape in the back was made for the daughter as she had a congregation of friends that sat and chatted during lunch hours and breaks at school. There are three seat belts on the back bench only - non installed on the side but could be mounted structurally if desired. For fun one day we installed a phone between the back and front.. it works but is a laughter piece... more than functional.
I would like to add that the headliner is beautiful. We had each of the windows pulled out and new seals installed on all but the front roll up windows (which work but needs updating when ready... it is a complicated removal/install process).
It was an artist that did the headliner installation (Cost $1950 not $300 like you buy on the web) but he carried down the material to below the windows which is unusual but allows tremendous amount of customization to be done in the cabin while having it all tied together cosmetically.
Probably the next step for us cosmetically is the headliner has now allowed the interior metals pieces to now look old. I did see a good cleaning, s in removing 40 years of handprints, nbsp;makes a big difference but probably careful hand painting would really finish it off.... and in the process you could paint creatively to inspire your inner self!
Regarding the air conditioning, hich a number of people have asked about, t seems like there are two schools of thought. One is that the engine doesn't have the power to properly air conditioned the bus anyway and the second is it shouldn't be installed.
My daughter drives it in the Fort Lauderdale area in the summer; but I would hate to go dressed to a business meeting! The advantages of youth!
If they are two things you probably need to think about over the next 3 to 5 years I would suggest it is the air conditioning and at some point I believe this will need repainted and typical rust spots dealt with. I've been under the car at McNab Auto and for a 40 year old car.... it is in great shape of course it has rust spots... but nothing out of the norm and frankly great shape for the age.
Before the Bus.. the daughter had a VW Thing.... and I must say that these cars have amazing longevity. I should add that McNab did the mechanics on the VW Thing and when sold the new owners picked it up at Fort Lauderdale airport... and drove to San Francisco with nothing out of the norm! Just amazing and quality guys there! I can not say enough about protecting and ensuring my daughters "ride".
Short term repairs as desired could include replacing the directional assembly on the steering column... It doesn't "center".... so for two years we've used velcro and friction to manually move it to center.... works great.... I believe this is the part:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WD-Express-809-54038-500-Turn-Indicator-Switch-/321356008771?fits=Make%3AVolkswagen%7CSubmodel%3ABus&hash=item4ad24f8d43&vxp=mtr
And... the steering wheel has cracks from age... as does the dash if getting Daizy perfect is your desire.
At 40 years old and at 50 mph this thing drives firm and straight..... been up to 65 MPH but she's wound out with five people in it! But did well on a short 60 mile adventure.
Today you certainly will not be embarrassed! BEYOND THAT I think it is routine maintenance... These VWs run forever.... You'll start with a great foundation!
After two years I understand the cult following! Inexpensive to maintain and simple to do yourself.
And... I used the term "Windshield Blinds" in the listing.... Sorry... meant "Sun Visors"... and a second replacement is ordered and not here yet (Lost in the Headliner exercise).. but will be included.
I believe Daizy would be a fabulous, nd capable vehicle, s is for a nationwide tour.... and fun with friendly people waving and starting conversations.
Hope that helps... happy to send specific pictures/invoices for Mechanics/tires etc...
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Had a local buyer come by this morning.
Wanted to point at that the ignition switch is there and functions... but the actual starter button is on the dash. We just haven't looked into it as it was like that when we bought it... and works.
Analysis suggests that the solenoid installed for the A/C (to turn the ac off when the starter is initiated).... meaning you can hear the solenoid click and the ac turn off (when it was installed).... but there is not current diverted from the solenoidto the starter... (Could be simply not connected as the starter wire now goes to the push button,,, ut who knows) Someone simply bypassed it, he A/C solenoid and the push button works fine.
For what that is worth!
Adds Character!