1974 VW Vango Pop Up Camper. This desirable van has an incredible documented history! Sold new at Reidy Motors in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, it's lived it's entire charmed life in "Little Chicago". The vehicle was only used during the summers as a camper and was not winter driven which is why the body is in such good original rust free condition. Most of the paint is original with some slight touch ups over the years due to natural moisture exposure. It is hard to determine if the bus has 44K miles or 144K miles given the odometer, but most likely that it truly does have 44K miles on it. It is an honest survivor vintage camper with a great history. 2nd last owner blew the motor and sucked a valve guide in the early 2000’s, so it was parked in his yard and tarped until the current owner bought it from him during Covid and began the restoration process while maintaining as much originality as possible.
his van comes with a completely documented history of every owner since new, Information sheets and binder, vintage camping display items and story boards (great for a car show) and everything you could possibly want!
Work Done: Lots!
Exterior:
- Polished paint
- New marker lights
- New bulbs all way around,
- New rear window seals drive back, front, rear
- New windshield
- New pop top (factory style)
- New pop top seals and luggage seals
- Refreshed bumpers (did some dent dinging and sprayed them)
- Rust repaired in 5 spots (look for the newer and brighter orange paint) – no zero rust on bus!
- Sliding door serviced and aligned for smooth closing
Interior:
- New front seat covers and padding (professionally done)
- Dash electrics cleaned and fixed
- Am/fm stereo works now too
- Shampooed original carpets
- Water tank cleaned, hand pump works, tank drain valves fixed. (drain camp under the sink underneath the van is still in place – look under and you will see how it works)
- New factory style curtains installed – original front window curtain is under bench seat.
Trans:
- Dissembled and checked over – all good
- Painted, fresh fluids and front seals
- Shifter rods rebuilt and new shifter bushings front to back.
Engine
- Original case and the rest were completely rebuilt by Todd at Air Cooled Classics in Saskatoon (receipt in binder). All new good German components were used.
- Rebuilt original carbs and linkage – runs perfect
- Electronic ignition upgraded
- New muffler.
- Powder Coated heater tubes and cooling tins
- New engine mounts and rubbers
Drivetrain:
- New master cylinder and brake booster
- New lines , new rubbers lines
- All new brakes on all four wheels
- Rebuilt calipers up front
- New tires (1 year old)
- Repainted wheels factory color
Misc:
- New batteries (back and under seat)
- Retro decals added … and the bus actually visited those placed in the past
- CAA decal was from the 2nd last owner in his “registration folder”.
- All fuel lines new, tank steamed and lined, new mechanical fuel pump.
Key Cool Details to Know:
- Van always lived in the Moose Jaw area and never winter driven.
- Has done some epic road trips in its life all over NW US, BC, Manitoba, BC, Alberta, and Ontario… if the van could talk it would tell some great tales!
- Van was on display at the Homestand 24 concert in Moose Jaw and was used as a “coffee” van for the performing artists. Bands such as 54:40, Belle Plaine, The Steadies, and Toque all spent time hanging out in and around the bus. (See attached pictures)
- The actual original key from the vehicle, and an original key tag from the dealership are included and can be found in the binder.
- Binder has all the receipts and history and original factory manuals. In the original manual you will see the stamps from the first services of the vehicle done in MJ, Idaho, and BC – lots of incredible details can be found from looking at the manual!
- Camper bits all work as they should. The propane tank breather valve is stuck so attaching a 1lb tank or regular propane tank with a regulator up to the host on the bottom of the van tank is recomended - brass adapter in the utensil drawer included.
- Camper manual is in the binder and has descriptions of how all the camping bits work.
Check out these great videos that the current owner has published about this bus. They explain absolutley every detail!
Check out this great video of looking at the bus in “as found” condition:
https://youtu.be/2FP4TS4WMRY?si=7TjoC9UbgSQzav-p
Watch this video to learn about the history and owners of the van Part 1:
https://youtu.be/A5dWS4s9Skw?si=WrPnEHvEYHLqJbdU
Watch this video to learn about more history and owners Part 2:
https://youtu.be/X7_Kc9afx4I?si=2iSqdZMnZwWriJg-
Video Explaining how all features of the van work:
https://youtu.be/B9ifySsq7MI?si=RgLASdmnow5P1_SR
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