2007-03-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

1971 Volkswagon Westfalia

From a cold dirty dungeon to a comfortable and inviting home

This interior renovation cost a mere $500 (approximately) and includes many customized features that won't be found in other VW vans of this type.

My main goals for the upgrade included increasing the storage space as well as the living space and to create a bright, welcoming, and laid back atmosphere.

I drew inspiration from newer models (1989-2000) and from the many beaches I have visited in my life time. The beach theme may not seem obvious to some. However, it was not the water or sky associated with a beautiful day on the beach, rather, everything that is behind you as you stare out over the waters. The huts, trees, grass and sand are the bits of the beach that I pulled from.

I built all of the cabinets from scratch from my own designs. The only original wood in the van is the back seat box, though I did make the door of it larger as well I cut off some of the boxes length. Thus the width of the bed (folding down bench seat and back cushion) became skinnier which allowed for an increase in storage space.

The back seat and back cushion were recovered by my girlfriend. She also bank rolled a pretty big chunk of the project. The curtains, a laundry bag (matches the curtains) one pillow (the multi colored one) and the seat back organizer (on the back of the drivers seat) were made by my mother. The linolium flooring was donated by my brother. My father helped me with many fix ups as well he allowed me the use of his garage and tools. One of my sisters helped me paint some of the cabinets and my other sister lent me a small but vital amount of cash needed to buy the van. Last but not least my nieces and nefew helped my with moral support, holding tools and various other tasks. A musician friend of mine, Dan Mangan inspired the carved writing on the shelf above the driver’s side middle window…

…all in all, many people in many ways have helped to make this restoration possible. Thank you to everyone that has helped me. If I forgot to mention you, just email me and let me know, I’ll be glad to mention you.

the VW project