Up for sale here is Andy, our very trusty 1990 Westy Atlantic high top.
As you probably already know if you are looking at this, the Westfalia was the best-built and hence most sought-after T25 camper van variant. Being the officially VW licensed conversion, it is the only one that left the factory destined to be a camper, the only one good enough for VW to put their name to.
The “Atlantic” was the latest and highest spec version T3 westfalia produced – featuring all of VWs nicest refinements, including the plexiglass double glazing, full big bumper bodykit with side planks, electric big mirrors, atlantic fabric on seats, door cards and curtains, etc etc – all built on a platform that by 1990 had been produced for 10+ years, meaning by this stage VW had got production and quality control down to a really fine art!
This particular van has seen various upgrades from the standard specification to enhance it – things like colour coded bumpers, quad driving lights, tastefully lowered suspension and Audi Rs4 18” wheels on the exterior; coupled with a modernised kitchen unit, Airtronic diesel heater, 12v TV/DVD player and lots of additional storage inside…
We have owned this van for 12 years, having purchased it from an owner in (iirc) Buckinghamshire who had clearly treasured it. I’m moving it on now as I have too many vehicles, a newborn son to think about, and not enough space to store all my toys alongside his!
Since we had it, he’s wanted for nothing. £1000’s have been spent… The main items are:
– Circa £5.5k spent in 2016 on a very sensitive restoration to original showroom order in terms of body and paint. Many panels were replaced, and he had a full respray in VW Alpine white.
– £1.4k on a fully remanufactured 1.6TD engine in 2017, the bottom end had new bearings and rings. In the last year, we have had the cylinder head stripped, valves re-seated, and cylinder head skimmed and pressure tested, and a new head gasket and bolts fitted.
– Modern remote control 2kw diesel heater in custom metal enclosure under the van;
– Audi 18” Rs4 wheels in anthracite
– New power steering rack
– Tastefully lowered all round on new springs and shocks, many new suspension bushes fitted in the process
– Recon gearbox and turbo under previous owner
– New grey carpets from MegaVanMatts
Before our ownership, a previous owner had tweaked the layout by replacing the kitchen unit removed and and substituting the upper bed for cupboards. To tidy this up and modernise the van, we have fitted a brand new Smev (Dometic) 9722 cooker unit with sink and an oak wood effect worktop.
We have left the cupboards in the roof where they are because they add a vast amount of convenient storage and are well-made. There is still room for a 1m x 2m roof bed up there, suitable for two children or perhaps even teenagers (to give some idea of size, the downstairs bed, which is original and designed for adults, is 1.2m wide. So only 10cm less per occupant up top). There is also a 12v extractor fan with filter elements above the cooker.
The underslung LPG gas tank has also been replaced with a large internal calor gas bottle in the cupboard (perhaps because it’s easier to find refills?). And we have removed the old and famously temperamental Eberspacher D1L heater and upgraded to a much better modern 2KW diesel heater with remote control. The heater is still mounted outside the van, so very quiet. It is in a custom underslung metal enclosure box.
The van also has not one but TWO interior tables for dining – one for front captain’s seats (which swivel, btw), one for guests on the rear seat (this one being floor mounted).
As with the other Westfalia vans, he also features:
* original Electrolux 3 way fridge (runs of gas, battery or mains hookup)
* electric hookup with interior plug socket (charge your phone/watch the laptop!)
* full-size double bed (one rock and roll double bed, downstairs), smaller double in the roof area
* super comfy captains seats up front with armrests which turn round to face the back seats
* masses of storage
* movable table top
* all round curtains …etc etc.
In addition to the above, he also comes with:
* TV/DVD player (12v and 240v)
* CD/MP3 sound systems (with Ipod input)
The van has just had 12 months MOT awarded.
Obviously as with any 35-year-old vehicle, he’s not perfect and there are various age-related marks etc. Faults to be aware of:
– passenger wing mirror is fixed in position (i.e not currently electric adjustable). It’s been this way ever since the mirror was removed and replaced for respray. May just need the wiring connectors into the loom reattaching. It came back that way, we never got round to sorting (it’s fixed in a position which works fine for me!)
– alloys have some kerbing (I’ll try to touch up pen before sale)
– some light signs of seam rash is coming in the usual T3 places – see the pictures
Andy is ready to go camping right away. He drives as he should, looks the part, and comes with all the bells and whistles. Westfalia T25s are sought after and appreciating vehicles. This one, as the latest and highest spec version, is sure to appreciate – and hence is a very sound investment, alongside being a top spec van!!
The van is available to view in Streatham Common, SW16. You will need to arrange insurance if you wish to test drive it.
