1967 Westfalia Combi Bus Volkswagen

    I learned that Volkswagen outsourced the conversion of the basic Kombi model bus to a "camping box" from the earliest days of the "Transporter." Westfalia was the primary company that worked directly with VW, although other variations such as the Sundial were sold. The first Westfalias from the early 1950's were very basic, giving the outdoorsman a place to eat and sleep within the camper, but they were quite spartan. By 1959, the Westfalia (seen to the right) was becoming more elaborate with beautiful birch cabinetry, a dining table and a more comfortable bed.

               
1959 Westfalia on display at the VW Classic Show Irvine, California - June 2003

       
    But after discussions with my VW afficianado friend, I decided to seek the last year of the split-windshield VW Westfalia, a 1967 model. The VW Transporter bus had become more advanced by '67, offering a 12 volt electrical system for the first time, safer dual-circuit brakes, more powerful 1500cc engine (underpowered, nonetheless), and a more practical and useful camping package. By '67 much of the camping cabinetry was sheathed in durable wood-grain Formica, but Westfalia still used plenty of real Baltic Birch plywood which gave the campers a cozy and surprisingly elegant feel. In 1998 I located and purchased a nicely optioned 1967 Westfalia SO-42 Campmobile through one of the VW resources on the internet, but the old bus required considerable restoration and would not meet my standards for sometime. That SO-42 Westfalia is featured elsewhere on my site and is now fully restored and has provided many great camping experiences.