1985 Volkswagen Vanagon
$8,995
Vehicle Details
Volkswagen
Vanagon
1985
264,000 miles
AMS33595
Van
Manual
Gasoline
Description
1985 Vanagon GL... Clean title, just passed smog I bought it in 2000 and am only the second owner. It has been an awesome van to own. It has a fresh oak wood interior, really clean, great for day trips to butterfly beach with dogs or a guest room.
A queen mattress fits perfectly in the back. Easily add on to, or change around this nice little sleeper. I have the rear bench seat as well. It has a very basic radio / amp and 2 front speakers. LED interior lights are on a dimmer.
MECHANICAL STUFF New battery and spark plugs, just changed the oil. The watercooled 1.9L fuel injected engine has been very reliable since i bought it at 100K. Currently, It always starts right up and runs pretty smooth, the 4 speed gearbox shifts nicely.
The suspension is awesome, nice and perky. The van does not sag or squeak, handles well and can really carry some weight. Since 2008, i have driven it about 1,500 miles a year, just enough to keep it limber.
I have replaced a lot of things, kept up with maintenance and I can tell you a lot about it. It has passed smog every time but once about 10 years ago, when i put in a new cat it passed. Might leak a drop or two of oil occasionally out of the drain plug, the steering rack is slightly damp but no detectable loss of PSF. 110,000 - full engine rebuild 195,000 - new heads, installed by Dana at Der Volkswerks. (RIP dana) 235,000 new clutch 249,000 ignition switch / fan 255,000 - full set of new suspension bushings, tie rods, ball joints and shocks.
New full set of CV joint assemblys in the back New brakes and master cylinder fuel injectors, speedo cable Full gearbox oil change. The drain plug and the fill plug were both in good shape, not damaged or corroded and easy to remove. Very little debris on the magnetic plug as well. 262,000 - new throttle body by Cory motors Some other good stuff: New high pressure power steering hose.
New alternator AND a GoWesty 6ga harness from the starter to the alternator, really nice upgrade. Fuel pump
Classic Volkswagen Vanagon Buyer's Guide (T3, 1980–1991)
Volkswagen Vanagon Market Overview
Based on 31 Volkswagen Vanagon listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com
Classic Volkswagen Vanagon Buyer's Guide (T3, 1980–1991)
People who haven't driven a Vanagon often assume it's just a newer Bus. It isn't. The T3 Vanagon is a fundamentally different vehicle — water-cooled from 1983 onward, wider track, more rigid body, dramatically better handling, and genuinely livable as a daily driver. The Westfalia camper conversion and the Syncro 4WD variant have built dedicated followings that have pushed prices to levels that would have seemed absurd a decade ago. The buying challenges are real — the early water-cooled engines have specific failure modes, and rust is still present — but a properly sorted Vanagon is one of the most genuinely useful and characterful vehicles in the classic segment.
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1985 Volkswagen Vanagon
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