Bruce Warrington on UnsplashIf you’ve ever watched Scooby Doo, Little Miss Sunshine, Lost, Sleeper, or the animated series Cars, you’re familiar with this popular vehicle.
The Volkswagen Westfalia is a series of camper vans that were sold from the 1950s to 2003, coming in a selection of conversions, colors, and builds. Its versatility, between being a daily car for families, an adventuring vehicle for the outdoorsy types, and a classic charm that can only be found among the suave builds of the '50s and '60s, makes this car an incredibly loved piece within pop culture and travel enthusiasts alike.
Its popularity rose with the hippy scene, due to its capability to act as an affordable home on wheels. At the time, Westfalias were a cheaper, more fuel-efficient choice for those with limited finances, quickly making it a staple of counterculture and anti-establishment ideals.
The bus’s bright colors, two-tone design, and adorable round headlights have made it a staple on the road, grabbing the attention of onlookers even today. The interior is no different, with the standard 70s camper vans usually having a pop-up loft, wood-panelled cabinets and countertops, and an aesthetic that we think fondly of today, remembering our grandparents’ basements or kitchen setups.
This iconic car has become quite a collector's item, with many communities around the world dedicating their time and money to upgrading and restoring these vintage vehicles.
And time and money are surely spent. While these vintage cars are going for decently respectable prices around North America (a simple search on Kijiji showed between 10 and 40 thousand), maintaining these massive vehicles is another story.
The cars are quite prone to electrical and engine issues, a combination of their age and design choices made by Volkswagen many years ago. Certain models are also more prone to rust and water damage, requiring just as much external work as internal. The hardest part about finding a good Westfalia is figuring out how much love and care it received from its previous owners, as you could be in for a long line of mechanical bills if you don’t choose wisely.
If you want to bite the bullet and get one of Volkswagen's newer vans, the I.D. Buzz, you’re also in for a financial hit. A basic model will run you almost $60,000 USD before any taxes or fees, which jumps to just under $80,000 for Canadians.
The car comes with its own pluses and setbacks, with those looking for an adventure will find that the car’s electric capabilities last under 400 km, or under 250 miles, so it’s not the best for long-day exploration - especially if you can’t find an outlet somewhere. That said, the car does come with all the modern comforts in a variety of gorgeous colors, which definitely play on the 19th-century nostalgia.
All in all, the Volkswagen Westfalia may not be the fastest, cheapest, or most reliable vehicle out there, but its undeniable charm that has lasted well over 60 years clearly shows that its influence on popular culture will last for years to come. Three cheers for this iconic car!
