1975 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia

This is a 1975 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Campmobile 70 in a, as you can see in the photos below, completely restored state. It has a 1.8-litre air-cooled engine, manual gearbox, and some aftermarket/spec inclusions that make it even better. A mileage of just over 30,000 miles is the icing on the cake, plus it also has the manufacturer plaques, from both Volkswagen Germany and Westfalia Werke.

The T2 Bus was marked by a change in styling, in comparison to the preceding Type 2 T1. The biggest change was that the T2 had a single-piece windshield in place of the split screen. The front some would say isn't as iconic as the T1 but it's no lesser a design, by any means. On the Westfalia vehicle, the pop-top does add to the van's overall height, but it's so well-integrated that to the untrained eye, it wouldn't look like the most obvious difference, if not parked next to the standard T2.

And parking next to the standard T2 isn't something we'd suggest if you buy this 1975 example unless you want people to be envious. Because following what's said to be a complete restoration to the factory specifications in the early 90s, it looks nearly brand-new. A bare-metal respray was also a part of the restoration, and that shows. The paintwork on this vehicle is complemented by how well the chrome fitments and bodywork down to the wheel caps, lights, and stickers/logos look.

The conversion from a standard Bus to a Westfalia includes many upgrades on the inside. From tables that fold out to an arrangement of seats that can be converted into a bed, there's a long list. The most prominent one is the inclusion of a roof that opens up headroom or a sleeping area — to ensure that living inside the Bus isn't just possible but comfortable too.

This 1975 Type 2 Westfalia comes with plaid upholstery, which looks to be in great shape. Other inclusions are wooden cabinets, a decent-sized sink (behind the driver's seat), fold-out table, fridge, multiple charging outlets, etc. The green interior looks lively, and the condition of not just the seats, equipment, or cabinets, but also the molded dashboard, door cards, etc. seems to be great. There's a Kenwood aftermarket head unit and CD changer controller, the latter is mounted right behind the steering wheel. Like on other RVs, there's also a provision to connect it to an external power supply.

For more rigorous applications, Volkswagen needed a product that was stronger than the very popular Beetle. This led to the introduction of Type 2, which over the years, became a highly successful model range. For the Type 2 Bay Window model, which was on the market from the late 60s to the late 70s, Volkswagen offered various mechanical improvements for a better drive and more comfortable ride.

The Westfalia here has a 1.8-litre flat-four engine (complete with a VW sticker) and a four-speed manual gearbox. One can be assured that while this won't win any races, it's going to be okay on long journeys and more capable than the previous model which had a smaller engine. The low-mileage example has covered just over 31,000 miles (the odometer reads 31,476), which is another positive.

The nearly spotless condition of this 1975 VW Type 2 Westfalia is in all likelihood because of the extensive restoration that it's said to have undergone in the 90s. The low mileage does signify that it hasn't been used much over the years, too. A bare-metal respray means that it hides its actual age amazingly well.

For many, the VW Type 2 Bay Window makes for a wise choice. The values might be rising but it's more modern and better equipped than its predecessor. And not as expensive to buy, we must add. A larger engine means it's going to be easier to live with, but without having to give up on the classic styling that the models that followed the T2 lacked.

The Westfalia bits make it not just a more desirable classic but also a great choice for someone who wants to travel across the country (or even beyond) in their own van replete with nearly everything one would need on an adventure-filled road trip.

But even if that's not on your agenda, at an estimated $50,000 - $60,000, this 1975 Type 2 Westfalia can be a great addition to your classic garage. Its appearance and simplicity are bound to be a talking point for years to come, don't you think?