Help to identify my Westfalia California model

[Gavinskii]

I just found the following on The Samba website, it gives a fair bit of info on how the vans left Germany bound for the US market and onward conversion.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/1995_camper.php

 

[TwentyOneThirtyFive]

Thought the camper in those samba pictures was done by Winnebago, not Westfalia? They are LWB and have 3/4 length poptop.

Think the North American models for Westfalia were the CV (Cali) and Weekender (Multivan, now what you would call the Beach).

Eurovan was what they called the T4. Vanagon was the T3. The T5 was just known as Not Available!

Edit: An excerpt from the Bentley repair manuals:

The three volumes of this Volkswagen Repair Manual present the service and repair information for Volkswagen EuroVan, EuroVan MultiVan (including Weekender), and EuroVan CV Camper (commonly known as the Westfalia camper) models sold in the USA and Canada.

 

[sidepod]

"Van Decetives" Got a ring to it

 

[Lloydfred]

This might help.


Decoding The Chassis Number or VIN number

Since 1982, all vehicles leaving the production line are required to have a 17 digit chassis number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Here follows a break down of the T4's chassis number system - as found stamped on the scuttle panel below the windscreen, and on the top of the dashboard on some export models. There should be a data card attached behind the rubber trim in the driver's footwell adjacent to the fusebbox, and inside the front cover of the service booklet.

Base Model Range

___ ZZZ 70 Z L H xxxxxx

• WV1 - Commercial vehicles (Vans and Pick-ups)
• WV2 - Leisure vehicles (Campers, Caravelles, Eurovans, Kombis)
• WV3 - Chassis cabs and Power Cabs for specialist applications

WV refers to vehicles produced in Europe - vehicles produced elsewhere will have a different set of characters.

Filler Codes

WV1 ___ 70 _ L H xxxxxx

The Z’s are filler codes and only serve to pad out the VIN number to the European standard 17 digit code. This is where special options or requirements are noted on the chassis number.

Type Code

WV1 ZZZ __ Z L H xxxxxx

The VW Type Code for the T4 is simply 70

Model years

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z _ H xxxxxx

Model Years ran from August in the preceeding year to July of the year indicated until 2001 model year which started in May 2000 in the preceeding year.

T4a

• 1990 - L - European launch in January
• 1991 - M - UK launch in August 1990
• 1992 - N -
• 1993 - P - 1992 launch of Euro 2 compliant 1.9 Umwelt TD; Eurovan range introduced in States; Australian and Canadian launch; CKD Production - Poland, Taiwan, Indonesia
• 1994 - R - 500,000^th T4 made at Hanover
• 1995 - S - imports to States of Eurovan 7-seater models cease
• 1996 - T - to December 1995 (< T_199000); August launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI

T4b

• 1996 - T - launch January (T_200001 >) including the American Market Eurovan Weekender VR6
• 1997 - V -
• 1998 - W - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI and TDI Syncro; 1,000,000^th T4
• 1999 - X - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI
• 2000 - Y - to April 2000 - 50^th anniversary editions; launch of V6; relaunch of 7 seater Eurovan GLS V6 in States; launch of TDI in Australia;
• 2001 - 1 - from May 2000 - Caravelle range revamp;
• 2002 - 2 - X-pack long nose option available in the UK
• 2003/4 - 3/4 - Final Edition Multivans and Westfalia Generation are produced alongside T5 from March 2003
• 2005 - the final Eurovan is sold in States in September 2004; the 10 millionth VW Transporter (including LT, Trucks and Buses) leaves the production line (a T5)

Where T4’s were made

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L _ xxxxxx

• H - Hanover, Germany
• X - Poznan, Poland from 1993
• C -Taiwan (built under license by Chin Chun Motors Ltd from 1993)
• J - Jakata, Indonesia (built under license by PT Garuda Mataran Motor Company)

Production Serial Number

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L H ______

This is merely a six digit sequential number relating to the numbers leaving the production lines.

http://www.dubnetworks.net/vw-vin-decoder.htm

Thanks for this info my VIN is WV2ZZZ70ZSHXXXXXX

And if I understand your info correctly the van is a genuine campervan manufactured in Hanover in 1995. If so that confirms the model is a Coach, Now i just wonder why it went off grid for 4 years of history to account for

 

[sidepod]

Thanks for this info my VIN is WV2ZZZ70ZSHXXXXXX

And if I understand your info correctly the van is a genuine campervan manufactured in Hanover in 1995. If so that confirms the model is a Coach, Now i just wonder why it went off grid for 4 years of history to account for

Probably running drugs across the US Mex border.

 

[Lloydfred]

Probably running drugs across the US Mex border.

lol let's hope it's not got any markers on it or Donald Trumps lot might show up lol

 

[sidepod]

Anyway, good luck and post an update when it arrives on your drive.

 

[Lloydfred]

I viewed the van today as I arrived on a lot I wasn't quite as impressed as the web site! So I followed everyone’s advice and started her up and listened to the engine. The engine sounded great no nasty rattles I let her run for about 40 min and checked the floor under the engine. No nasty oil leaks, a like bit of smoke from the tail but nothing that worried me that much. The engine bay wasn't spotless but wasn't a mess either. The outside panels were all sound with no rust. The window seams, door and panel seams all had heavy green mould so it's been outside for a while. I also discovered the four year discrepancy was the van was imported into Japan then into Canada then into the states and lastly the UK as it had japanese text on all windows. The white flap was the power and the black rear flap was the fresh water filler.


The internal condition of the van was spotless apart from one small stain on the rear back bench. (I later tracked that down the fridge compressor or that location as I found an old rusty water leak) All switched, heaters and internal movable components worked fine. I had a good look under the van and found light rusting, but all jacking points were solid and still white.


I took her for a drive and that’s when the issues became clear. as I pulled away I turned to the lad and said I thought this had power steering. It drove like a panther tank, I had to constantly fight her to stay on the correct side of the road. The steering wheel was all over the place and at junctions the van would race and want to lunge forward and he noise in the back was terrible.


After the test drive I voiced my concerns about the van and was told the owner of the business thinks it’s a great drive lol. I know it will have to go through an MOT but I just think it’s not for me. I’ll be trying to get my £500 deposit back, thankfully I paid it on my credit card and should be able to recover. I think if you was a mechanic and could get this one cheap enough it might be a great little van, sadly I'm not so back to the search I guess.

 

[2into1]

Can you not wrestle Sidepod's old one off him. Talk to his Mrs. She'll do you a deal

 

[Lloydfred]

Can you not wrestle Sidepod's old one off him. Talk to his Mrs. She'll do you a deal

Was that nice little green Coach sidepod's ? I though that was just a random picture of a Coach. I'm happy I took the time to view the van as it was an interesting benchmark for me. I didn't trust the dealer, if you knew someone was viewing, would you not resolve any mechanical issues before they arrive? I also didn't like that the fella was on the phone to the owner stating I was going over it with a fine tooth comb.

 

[T6 CFO]

Was that nice little green Coach sidepod's ? I though that was just a random picture of a Coach. I'm happy I took the time to view the van as it was an interesting benchmark for me. I didn't trust the dealer, if you knew someone was viewing, would you not resolve any mechanical issues before they arrive? I also didn't like that the fella was on the phone to the owner stating I was going over it with a fine tooth comb.

Well done. It's never easy to walk away.


Mike

 

[MrP]

I have to say I think you made the correct decision. £11.5k is a lot for that van. Don't be too hung up on low milages, t4s have great engines and last forever if well serviced.

I would avoid petrol mainly due to economy.

You should be able to get a really good early to mid nineties van for 7-9k. If budget allows go for a late 90's or early 2000's. They have the 2.5 diesel which is a great engine and is probably the best vw camper ever made. Keep it looked after and you won't lose a penny.

Avoid old ones that have just been imported on eBay, or treat with sceptasism as peeps are trying to earn a fast buck on them. Failing that get on mobile.de and import one yourself.

Vw camper sales often have t4s for sale. They are often priced high but they all ways seem to be gooduns (viewing from tgr net that is)

 

[sidepod]

The picture I posted is my "back up" van.

It's for sale. She's a peach. Maintained regardless of cost.

Cam belt/water pump replaced mid last year. Serviced regularly. Everything works as it should.
Uses no oil between service.

Regular fault free trips to Europe.

More details available on request.

 

[Lloydfred]

The picture I posted is my "back up" van.

It's for sale. She's a peach. Maintained regardless of cost.

Cam belt/water pump replaced mid last year. Serviced regularly. Everything works as it should.
Uses no oil between service.

Regular fault free trips to Europe.

More details available on request.

Hi Sidepod, I'm not sure how I PM you on here but yes further details couldn't hurt. Location, price, detailed pictures and history. One thing you could rely on is she would continue to be well maintained and looked after.

Thanks in advance

 

[larrylamb]

Hi Sidepod, I'm not sure how I PM you on here but yes further details couldn't hurt. Location, price, detailed pictures and history. One thing you could rely on is she would continue to be well maintained and looked after.

Thanks in advance

You have to become a VIP member of the forum to enable private messaging between members ( called "conversations").

 

[Lloydfred]

You have to become a VIP member of the forum to enable private messaging between members ( called "conversations").

Thanks Larrylamb I have upgraded

 

[bxl_lad]

Hi Sidepod, I'm not sure how I PM you on here but yes further details couldn't hurt. Location, price, detailed pictures and history. One thing you could rely on is she would continue to be well maintained and looked after.

Thanks in advance

Yay! Go Green - its the must have colour

 

[sidepod]

Hi Sidepod, I'm not sure how I PM you on here but yes further details couldn't hurt. Location, price, detailed pictures and history. One thing you could rely on is she would continue to be well maintained and looked after.

Thanks in advance

I'm away at the moment, back midweek so if you pm an email I'll send some details.

 

[sidepod]

Can you not wrestle Sidepod's old one off him. Talk to his Mrs. She'll do you a deal

Err, point of order. I wear the pants in our house......

......ok just checked. "Of course you do dear"

There you have it. Conclusive proof.

 

[TwentyOneThirtyFive]

That's a shame, but at least we have all learnt some things about the Eurovan CV incarnation of the Westy.

dan

 

[Lloydfred]

I'm away at the moment, back midweek so if you pm an email I'll send some details.

Hi Sidepod I'll email you over my details as soon as I work out how to send you a PM

 

[WelshGas]

Hi Sidepod I'll email you over my details as soon as I work out how to send you a PM

Click on the little envelope icon at the top of the page next to your Name/Avatar. PM's now called Conversations.

 

[Lloydfred]

Click on the little envelope icon at the top of the page next to your Name/Avatar. PM's now called Conversations.

Hi WelshGas

I tried that said I wasn't allowed to start a conversation with Sidepod. I was trying on my phone, so will try from my laptop Ina bit

Nope not allowed to start the conversation.

 

[Lloydfred]

Hi Chaps,

What's the general opinion on genuine CMC Hythe Reimo conversions.

 

[2into1]

Hi Chaps,

What's the general opinion on genuine CMC Hythe Reimo conversions.

Good, in fact excellent, but the business themselves are expensive. Genuine Reimo parts from a Reimo approved converter. If you can pick one of their vans up privately, it could be a good plan (if not quite a Westy!).