The vital stats:

VIN: 2392005740

2.0L horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, rear-mounted and air-cooled.

67 SAE net horsepower at 4200 rpm.

101 lb.-ft. SAE net torque at 3000 rpm.

7.3:1 compression ratio.

Single camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder, hydraulic valve lifters.

Aluminum crankcase and cylinder heads.

Rear-wheel drive.

5.5" x 14" steel wheels.

Bosch 55-amp alternator.

Four-wheel independent torsion bar suspension.

Worm and roller steering, not power-assisted.

Four-speed manual transmission.

Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection.

Front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, dual circuit, power-assisted.

Wheelbase: 94.5" (7.9 feet).

Length: 177.4" (14.8 feet).

Width: 67.7" (5.6 feet).

Height: 80.0" (6.7 feet).

Ground Clearance: 7.8" (0.7 feet).

Seating for four occupants, including driver.

Westfalia deluxe camper package:

• Westfalia camping interior
• Sink with onboard water tank and city water connection
• 2-burner propane stove
• Electric refrigerator (12v or 110v)
• Pop-up roof
• Child's cot
• Two beds
• Closet with hanging rod and mirror
• Two tables
• Swivel front passenger seat
• Rear hatch insect screen
• Jalousie windows with insect screens
• Full curtains

In terms of modifications from stock, the Bus has a number of accessories.

• VDO oil temperature gauge (in Celsius!) added by the previous owner.
• VDO tachometer added by previous owner.
• Under-dash parcel trays added by previous owner.
• Spare tire mount on the nose added by previous owner. I have since removed this one.
• Side step added by previous owner.
• Rear window "jailbars" added by previous owner.
• Hella 500 driving lights.
• Hella rear fog light.
• CB radio.

April 7, 2003: As of Friday April 4, my '79 Bus is now my '79 ex-Bus. It was sold to a fine young couple who will no doubt put it to its intended use. I got lots of interest in the Bus and it sold quickly, in under a week. I guess that can be attributed not only to the condition of the Bus but also its relative rarity up here in New England. It's not very often I see a VW Bus (or even a Vanagon) on the road, let alone a nice non-rusty one. I guess that's what happens when you are in an area with long winters and lots of corrosive road salt. Not to mention with a vehicle made in the days before galvanizing body panels was a common thing.

I was a bit sad to see the Bus drive off under the direction of its new owner. I don't think anyone has driven that Bus except for me ever since I bought it in 1999. But I'm glad with the knowledge that the new owners have some great road trips ahead of them in that Bus. So as a send-off, below are the last pictures I took of the Bus before it was sold.

February 19, 2003: Well, we got a lot of snow on 2/17. However, it was a dry powdery snow and the wind was kind to the Bus, piling the snow up in a drift next to the Bus rather than burying it. But then again it did have a dead battery when I tried to start it. The MINI got buried a little more convincingly.

My girlfriend Kate and I took a trip to Nova Scotia in May 2002. Here are some pics of the Bus on that trip.