Finding Escape in a 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia | Why I Drive #11
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Tyler Hamersma’s driveway is a perpetual game of musical cars. He can’t abide idle hands, so to keep busy he buys, fixes, and flips VWs, Audis, and BMWs. But the constant amidst this flux of German metal is Charlotte, his 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia. Charlotte is a beloved member of Hamersma’s family. Through countless travels and camping trips it’s been his pre-packed adventuremobile, ready to whisk him away from the city and out into the country at a moment’s notice. And since he loves to wrench, it’s a good thing the teal-colored Westy always needs some kind of TLC. Hamersma knows that the van will never truly be finished, but he also doesn’t want it to be.
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Owned a VW camper back in the sixties with the popup top. Wife, 4 kids and a dog. Small fridge, porta-potty small propane grill for hot dogs &burgers. Went to the desert camping every chance I got. At 81 the kids are gone, new dog, new wife, really bad knees. Just memories, thanks for the video.
A Westy and a Z car?!?! Bless you Tyler, your cup runneth over. 👍🏻
This video hit me with both barrels. First - I have a 1985 Westy - in good shape - and I love it. Feels like a second home to me. Second - I’ve had 2 Welsh Corgi’s. Your video took me back to those Corgi days. Both have been great things in my life. Thanks for making your video.
Vehicles and driving them touch so many different types of experiences and emotion--I love how this series explore that
In my life I’ve owned 9 VW Westfalia’s. They are all I drive. No, not the most economical, not the fastest, not the cheapest but without doubt the most wonderful. I absolutely love all VW Westfalia vans
I also bought a T3 last week. Since then i drove it daily and man i love this van! Best decision ever made!
Thanks for this. I already love Volkswagen buses but thanks to you Tyler I love them a little more today.
I have a car I love sitting in my garage for over a year waiting for someone I trust to fix it and after watching your show I decided to take my time and learn to fix my own car, besides I knew what the problem was for a year.
Thanks for the nice video. I agree with you 100 percent. My wife & I have a 85 Westy and it is a great feeling when we are driving it around or going camping. It is part of the family.
I put a Subaru engine on mine & the feeling is much better. Thanks.
I have been torn between a subi-swap, or a 1.8t. I know the 1.8t's much better and like that they are from the VW parts bin... Either way, i do still yearn for passing power.
I wish I could have an episode. 😂 I drive a 58 Plymouth Ambulance. And at 17 and driving it to school, you'd be amazed how many people just do not care or take the time of day to ask why.
That is an interesting vehicle, I'd like to see an episode on it.
why?
Seems like you just want the attention tbh
I wanna see
Lol this guy "if i ever finish it" as a owner of 3 let me just say on behalf of all vanagon owners ......you wont! If you know you know
I've owned my '91 Westy for sixteen years, I'm even a member of the "Vangelenos" Vanagon club in L.A. It's true about the time you spend on them. It becomes unthinkable to ever sell. The low hp is part of the point. When you drive, it's a chance to slow down and take everything in. Great video, Tyler and Hagerty!
Ty's the perfect owner of a Vanagon: a mechanic. Charlotte will keep him busy forever. (I have an '85 Westy, too😉). They are great, though!
Damn such a great video. The narrative, the filming, and editing are just so good! I love it! PS: Driving a '73 VW Bus, I can connect to what he says so much! Thanks for sharing.
Always loved the shape and style of these.
"when i pulled it out of the woods" atta boy tyler!
gotta catch em all!
@@tylerhamersma4400 its like they want to get back out there. my latest found me after 14 years off the road. it suitably has the personality of an old rescue dog
I always loved the looks of the T3 Transporter/Vanagon. I hope i own one someday
I have an 85 too and I'm obsessed with what it does.
I really like this video I respect that you put the work into vehicles like that which are a part of history. Keep up the good work
James - Thank you for the support!
Killer Vanagon
Love these vans! You did a nice job with her!
Long ago I owned a '71 VW camper. My most favorite vehicle ever! It took me over most of North America. I didn't really mind that it was under powered. (They all were.) But I did finally grow tired of having no A/C. And that is the reason I sold it. Many times I wish I had it back.
Wth. I was watching this-- a random Vanagon video. And then I noticed the green bridge. We both are in GR! 😂😂 I drive 2 different Beetles so maybe someday I'll drive past Charlotte! My silver 03 is Shelby and my blue 18 is Cheyenne. Lol.
What a cool t-shirt! Matches his van!
GR represent. MI Boy here. Just bought me a 1990 tin top
That's one lovely bus🤙
Simply put, It's my dream vehicle. Skillet
Just picked up my 84 Westy with 4 new BFG 15” AT….camping tomorrow. ✌🏻
In the process of trying to buy an ‘84 Westy myself. Great video!
Right - on man! How I miss my Orange cremckle, she was an 81, Westfalia. Top speed of 60mph, downhill with a strong wind from behind.
Literally my two favorite things, old nissans/datsuns and classic vw vans! I already have an older nissan but a vw T2 is still on my list of things to get! Great story man and awesome 280z
I hope u will get one soon 🙏 peace bro
Great story, but that 240z 👍
Seriously, they'll need to do another episode with him, ha
280z
280z***
Beautiful ❤ love our T3 since 2003
This is my favorite vehicle of all time. My dream is to get a 90 Syncro camper.
I was wondering if you have any recommendations on how to learn more about the van like you did.
I know you said that you learned it front to back so just curious to see if you have any recommendation for resources
Also I subscribed 🤩🤩🤩
There is simply something about driving a bus that you just never forget.
Mke
Mike - What do you think that something is?
I think driver seating position, road feel and by far the sloppy shifter.
Mike
By dad had a 81 caravelle. This bus was the start of my love for cars.
In the near future i want to buy one and replicate it to bi like the old one we had and turn it into a camper/hauler for a 66 mustang i wanna bauild. And with these 2 cars i want to visit all the great driving roads in europe
Sounds like a bucket list item for any automobile lover. Share the story with us when you go!
Love the van! Such a good colour choice!
Love my 86 vanagon gl.
Rebuilt the motor and the transmission.
Mouse got to nyo the heater blower motor. Today I pull out the dash.
Was watching yet another Vanagon video… and then “Woah, was that a meanwhile sticker? Then… Grand Rapids’s footage.” Right on.
Great video and thanks for sharing it.
I have an 82' Vanagon, and it's been sitting for 19 years, before I was even born. I recently started fixing/restoring it, and I've replaced the fuel filter and pump, and put in some injector cleaner, but it doesn't seem to get enough gas pressure, because it only stays running if I keep revving it
Check the idol sensor.
@@johnkempf1808 Fixed it awhile ago. It was just a dirty mass airflow sensor! 😂
If you ever get a new MAS and it is worth it be sure to have it calibrated to your system. If you dont the ECU won't recognize and the van will buck from chokeing. Fount that out the hard way
These VW vans are hipster magnets.
Its funny this is a Hagerty video. When I contacted them about insuring my 84 Westfalia I was told they don't insure them because they consider it a camper.
EXACTLY MY POINT!!!! DID YOU NOTICE THE AWFULLY GOOD JUMBO SHRIMP? FREAKING CLOWNS.
Dad bought one in 83 we spent so much time in it in the summers that I'll never forget it. The only upgrade I would make is ac. It gets hot in there.
remarkable machine indeed. i am in love!
Nice ride! Chevy on bro!
Sweet :) I'm driving a yellow Caravelle 1986 for 7 years now. It's my daily drive.
Feel free to post a photo of it on our Facebook page. We would love to see it.
Such a cool van!
Great inspirational video!
Ugh I need one so bad it’s my dream
I want this van SOOOO bad
What a beautiful van 👍
Love your vanagon
As someone who has had over 20 vanagons, i love the idea of them but... they are so damn slow and unreliable! Not to mention they dont stop well and have no towing capacity. And you need to take out a second mortgage to buy one now a days!
Did you ever restore one of those fully and then look at reliability after a year or so?
At least for me it's more reliable than any other used car I've owned.
Hipster essentials: Bald, Beard, Dog, Westfalia.
And I finally installed Fahrvergnuegen in my 85 Westy with a Subaru H6 engine and a freeway flyer transmission...!
Niiiice!
I believe hagarty specifically doesn’t allow there customers to camp in their camper vans. I believe it’s against their policy. Weird they would feature someone who is clearly breaking their policy rules 🤷♂️
Hi Tyler, I have a Hagerty 85 VW GTI. I love your van
I have a 85 Vanagon GL that I've been trying to sell for months.
Love them. Need to get serious about buying one and hitting the road.
Dude, It's Tyler!
man thats a lovely 280z in the shed
Good to see some vw love in grand rapids!
Nice ‘Link’ on your wrist! 👌🏻🤙🏼
Nice rides...
Nice Westy, Great story, I just subbed. I feel the same about my Baja Bug and would like to have a westy too to go with it and enjoy. I will return to watch your adventures. BigW:-)
Has anyone ever put a Goldwing engine in one of these things? Might be fun
Awesome have a great time
You have SLOvenia sticker on your VAN ? would love to hear the story behind it :)
why am I tearing up?
Great video and I love my own Westy. I just wish that Hagerty would actually insure it (source: called Hagerty, asked them, they said no since it's a camping vehicle).
Roll on !
Do you have a build up series of this Van. Love this video!
I'm looking at an '85 westy weekender...was this a good year for these?
Where can I buy one of these? Please help lol
I have an 84' of almost the same custom color! Lots of love and commitment to these vans... Is there a way to be in tuoch around out shared adventures?
Awesome I'm into Datsun SCCA racing and looking for a 80ies vanagon
Yeah, It's a Vanagon. I don't think you have to worry about it ever being done.
Love it. Lemme know if I can help you with building your van. ;-)
Where did you find the vw exhaust cover!! Love it, and my van would love one!
I think he meant it was 83 "cubic" ft. , not square ft. ...otherwise the back floor area would have to be at least 8 ft. X 10 ft. ...and it isn't !
This vehicle is almost 14' long and about 6' wide, which is 84 sq.ft. I'm sure the useable interior space is less, but it's not terribly off.
Love it.
my dream wants to be this simple, but it's not that easy
The amount of work I have put into this. The end.
lol these kids should move to Fort Collins
It's nice ride
But you a boxer 6 cylinder Porsche motor in it they'll fit right in it perfect I promise
There's one for sale in my area I'm interested in buying it
Hipster Van
lef last bit to paint and chang smal part and finish, but it is realy hard memories hard work :D but finish line is coming :d
It a statement car.
love the video, butttttt, why are you frapping? just kind of weird for a man to frap when he speaks,lol love the van and you guys are awesome!
Cool.
I HAVE A 280z AND WANT A VAN
what is the deal with giving your car a cute name? when did that happen. Driver and owner of VW vans since 1972.
New subscriber lets c what you got simple living high thinking south-africa
Love the van hate the wheels
Super
i think of hippies and drum circles
I had an 84 tintop van and I just couldn't put up with the wasserboxer. Too slow, too unreliable. Good at turning gasoline into heat and noise but not much power