When I was looking for the right bus for me, there were a few factors that influenced which one I ultimately purchased.

First and foremost, I really wanted a 1967, as this was the last year of the split front window.  Significant changes occurred in 1968 and, while I owned two 1969’s (and the 1964), to me, the splitty (what they call pre ’67 busses) epitomized the spirit of a particular era.  I mean, this is the 50^th anniversary of the ‘Summer of Love’!

It had to be an original Westfalia camper.  There were many US aftermarket camper companies, one of the most familiar was Sundial (which I owned in ’69).  The Westfalia camper was VW’s official camper company.  My particular Westy is an SO42 and the manufacturer’s plate bears the serial numbers.  The pop top in the middle was also part of this package and there were options for walkthrough or bench seat, but I wanted only the walkthrough.

The bus had to be in better than average condition as my modifications would also cost a pretty penny and I didn’t want to go backwards dealing with body rot, lots of welding and repainting.  These busses do have a tendency to rust, so finding one with a sound frame and body is critical.

Almost 2 years ago, I found my dream bus by a builder in the SF Bay area, but by the time I could put the deal together (interpret as convincing Linda and what she calls the ‘I need to find my wanderlust’ conversation), he had a firm commitment to sell to someone else.  8 months later, I came upon a fellow in the UK considering selling his beautiful 1967 SO42 Westy with an all original interior.  The bus had a bare metal restoration about 6 years earlier and it was a stunner (on photos)!  It totally checked all the boxes and we discussed finding a way to get together to see it in the UK.  He was interested in a 1959 bus and was willing to wait to sell until he was able to close on that one.  This went back and forth over the next few months and Linda was still warming up the idea so I could purchase knowing it was blessed.

What could go wrong here?  Right before heading to the UK in mid-October, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Life. On. Hold.

The seller understood my backing out and I was hopeful that he would take longer in finding his new old bus.

Nothing takes the wind out of your sails quicker than the love of your life requiring surgery, chemo and radiation.  But nothing else makes you more determined to not let an illness define what we will do to celebrate our life together.

Halfway through treatments, Linda and I started to look forward once again and discussed her eventual retirement (June 1^st, July 1^st, August 1^st, September 1^st).  We also discussed moving forward with the bus, so in February of 2017, I contacted the seller once again.  He found his bus and was ready to post and sell his ’67.  Pressure on, I could not fly to the UK to personally inspect the bus, but Dave and Dorothy Mohr’s ‘adopted’ son Gildas lives in France and he would fly to the UK to inspect, photograph, video and generally know that the bus does, in fact, exist.

The good news was it was the bus I wanted.  The bad news was the seller also got an offer from a chap in Germany and that deal would close fast if I didn’t move faster.  Interesting process coordinating wire transfers with banks, freight brokerage, customs agents and everyone else involved in importing a vehicle and getting their ‘handling fee’.  A very hectic two-day process, but all went well and my bus was awaiting shipment to the port NYC, where it would clear customs and go via ground transport to my office.

Long story, but on April 10, 2017, my Westy arrived!

I was very happy, but on the drive home, I realized that it was going to be quite the process getting it the point where my dreams and reality live.

You know how you make a small fortune?

Start with a large fortune and buy a vehicle to restore.