A Guide to Westfalias and their Hype for Future Automotive Workers

Westfalias are Volkswagen camper vans, often referred to as “hippie vans”, with some comparing them to the Mystery Machine used by Shaggy and his friends in Scooby Doo. Restored vintage Westfalias are all the rage for hobbyists and adventurers alike, with their nostalgic aesthetic and ability to act as a go-anywhere-on-land home.

Affectionately referred to as “westys”, the increased culture around and demand for camper vans led to the release of the VW Crafter in 2017, a more advanced and modern camper van with storage, an extendable bed, and fancy amenities.

Read on for more information about Westfalia VW camper vans and why they have captured the hearts of their drivers so well.

The Basic Design of a VW Westfalia Camper

A panel van is a cargo vehicle on a passenger car chassis. The essential benefit of the Westfalia camper design is to provide a very basic van, so that owners can convert it for different functions. The interior features two captain chairs in the front with a flat dashboard, and a long wheelbase that allows for living and camping amenities, or any weird and wacky add-ons.

Owners sleep, run businesses, and care for pets out of their vans, so the versatility appeals to many lifestyles. Though many people DIY their repairs on these vans, an automotive worker with proper training is needed for complicated mechanical issues, so you may one day be able to say you worked on someone’s home.

Culture Around Vans that an Automotive Worker Might Encounter

The digital age allows people to work on the road as nomadic entrepreneurs, leading to a resurgence of the van-dwelling lifestyle that was popular in the 1960s. Trends like #vanlife have influenced many people to live out of campers, and vintage Westfalias are a favourite choice of vehicle for those who can get their hands on one.

 

 

If You’re in a Car Repair Course, Look Inside the Transporter

The VW Transporter, which debuted in 1950, is the best-selling van in history, also holding the title of longest-produced van in the world. The Type 2 was made with Westfalia’s conversions and offered modifications to compliment camping. A raised roof, fridge, sink, and stove made living out of the vans possible. The creation of the Transporter evolved from the VW Beetle, which is evident in vintage models where the rounded shape and circular headlights evoke a similar style.

If you’re in an automotive technology course, you’ll be interested to hear about the evolution of this engine. Starting out in 1950 with a 1100 VW air-cooled boxer engine with 24 bhp, the same engine as the Beetle that came before, this evolved to a 2-litre engine with 70bhp in 1973 until production ceased in 1979. Transporters were still made under license in Brazil until 2013.

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