The tea bus :)

 

Orling & Wu

A little something to make you smile :)

Peace, health & prosperity throughout the new year!

New entries for your vote :)

Tailor-made Logo Design at 99designs

Waddya Think?

Why not check out 99designs for Logo Design?

Essential Travel Gear :: Camping Catalog

This extremely hip n' happening catalog, ahem, catalogue... hails from the UK and is the graphic creation of Neil Singleton. Neil's company is called We Are Soup and they created this catalog for Just Kampers. The photos of the sage green VW (not really sage if you ask me, but I guess that's the official VW color tag) are taken by Kim of Silverbox Photographers. Kim snapped these quintessential California coastal scenes while on vacation, errr... holiday, with her family. And yes, she rented this retro 70's guacamole green Volkswagen camper bus from us, the crew at Vintage Surfari Wagons!

You can order a copy of the catalog (for free) for yourself from the folks at Just Kampers. While you're there be sure to check out all the nifty goodies they offer to complete your camping experience.
P.S. Love, love, love the catalog Neil!

Push 'The Bus' Movie Along

Life is like a VW bus... sometimes everyone needs to get out and push!
We are so grateful for the tremendous support we've rallied so far. A HUGE thank you for believing in our vision and sharing our love for these vehicles! The fund-raising has been exponential over the last few days. Now we're within reach with only two days to go!
Help us by sharing this link and our passion for this important story. Lets make it happen.
This film will go down in history because of YOU!

 

YES, I WANNA PUSH!

Refreshing New Skin for Interior VW Bus Panels

 Interior VW side panels with the old stickyback paper treatment.

 Bye, bye ashtray...

 Ah, the wonders of duct tape!

Front view of panel with new washable, grass cloth vinyl paper. *Remember to mark the holes for screw placement when installing later on.

Et voila! A new interior panel for the Taos bus :-)

A New Interior for 1977 Westfalia VW Bus "Taos"... Continued...

Here's Taos, back from the body shop, all shiny and new! She's, or wait, is Taos a he? Hmmmm... well whatever, Taos is looking kinda like a creamsicle, YUM!

VW 1 Pint Drinking Glasses :: 2 for $25

Found these on Etsy. Would love to stock our vans with 'em but don't think they'd last but a few journeys ;) Maybe you'd like a set for your very own VDub?

A New Interior for 1977 Westfalia VW Bus "Taos"

We've started working on a new interior for our 1977 VW Camperbus Taos...

The jumping off point for the new color scheme on this bus was it's original 70's Avocado green. The interior on this bus is in great shape, so instead of pulling the interior completely out in order to repaint the bus an entirely different color we decided to work around the green and just re-paint the exterior of the bus for now. It's exterior will soon be painted a burnt orange with a creamy white top.

 

 

Yes, these are the original 1977 VW seats, they've been masterfully rehabilitated by our upholsterer Juan. Juan rebuilds the springs, uses new foam, and cleans and paints all the parts - the end result being seats that are better than new! We chose a combo of solid burnt orange and a swirl pattern marine vinyl for the seats, cushions, door panels and visors.

 

A big deal was scored via Craig's List where we sourced laminate remnants for $0.15/SQ. FT.! So here we've matched the Craig's List laminate with a lively lime green laminate which will be used for cook top/sink horizontal surfaces.

We found some playful, bright fabric that incorporated the Avocado green, in addition to a citrus green, burnt orange, a touch of gold and a wee bit of charcoal and black.

Here, the upper berth cushions are getting the full spa treatment!

We'll update you as we progress through the Taos Project, so stay tuned!

Rare sighting! California Bus Company mug seen in England!

Dear Bill and Diane,

Thought you'd enjoy this photo from along the Thames River yesterday as I walked our dog.

Hope you both are well!

Cheers,
Keith

Keith, next time send along a picture of the Queen holding the mug so that we know for sure that it's England ;)

How Bill makes a latte for Diane - the VDub way :)

Out with the old, in with the new...

 Lots of good changes happening around VSW! We sold Rell Sunn to a happy family. 

Rell Sunn is the orange/red bus to the left. She was one of the best and we will miss her.

    
There are miles of fun and happy memories in the vans, with chips and rips to show.

Eddie is getting updated with new refurbished cabinets! 
Our vans take a lick'n but keep on tick'n.

Yah, Bill told me the same thing when he took the picture.

It took almost half the day for Bill and I to remove the original cabinets, as we had to wrestle with old hardware, plumbing, and a gas hose that someone put lock tight on during a previous fix. I am glad we were not tape-recorded! These interiors are like a big jigsaw puzzle. What I had to clean out from underneath the carpet and behind the nooks and crannies is a story unto its own. I thank the cleaning gods for Simple Green. Here are the bare innards of Eddie. 

more to come...

A day in the life...

It seemed as if there was a revolving door the last two weeks here at VSW. Vans were returned after family trips and before school starts. Pick-ups were made from all regions of California, OC, LA, and SF. The shop is full of Vans that are once again returned by happy customers turned friends. Hi-FIVE.

Some work had to be done on a few vans such as clean up, washing, brake work, and wheels needed to be swapped out as we are gearing to sell one of our Westys! Yes, sell one and details to come!

Bill always seems to be smiling even before he knows he is about to get dirty with bleeding brakes!

Window stickers came in and I added one to the 23.

While in the middle of putting on the last sticker, and the most important the phone number, another couple came to rent Kukui our 1986 Pop-Top Westfalia!

Bill started the introduction of Kukui to our new customers without me, but as fortune would have it, I can still hear. 

The finished window.

Bill finalizing the paperwork before the excited couple leaves to pick-up parents at the airport. 

On to a new adventure... to the airport and then to Monument Park! Dog not included! That is Bleu and he belongs to Bill n Diane.

Contest Winners from Germany WIN 7 Days in a VW Bus!

6 Philip Morris contest winners were flown over from Germany and met in Huntington Beach this past August. They weren't quite sure what they were in for, but after breakfast during their first morning on U.S. soil (sand actually) they were surprised with 3 of our buses, chalk full of goodies and ready to roll up the coast to San Francisco. Not only did they get to live the dream, they had a surf themed itinerary lined up for the duration of their coastal cruise.

Our Man in Santa Cruz

Bill had nice but short visit with Dave Ebert of Ebert's VW Repair.  He's helped us dodge a few bullets!

Not everyone has a buddy that would just give you PARTS!

On my personal bus a 1963 DLX the mirror broke after I asked my passenger to adjust it while on the freeway. Luck for all parties they did not drop it!

 

 Bill recognized the valuable missing part when I pulled up to the shop. He asked me what had happened? After telling him the strange and lucky story. He told me to go to a shelf and pull out the box with mirrors written on it.  I found the box, thanks to a black Sharpie. When I opened it not only did I find a mirror arm “SWEET!” but, also a reproduction mirror attached! “BONUS!”

Now, I have a nice replacement till I get my original back from repair at the metal shop. Thanks Bill!

Happenings at Vintage Surfari Wagons

Hello all,

Lots of new things are happening at Vintage Surfari Wagons.

New Vans will be hitting the road soon.

Like our blue '79 that just passed SMOG after Bill and I tackled a copper gasket issue.


If you have an idea for a name please don't hesitate to suggest.
One can go to VW Camper Van on Facebook become a friend and share your ideas.

CHECK THIS OUT!!! How many Campers do you know have a propane gas tank that looks like this?

Yep, ceramic coated for gleaming perfection.

More updates to come.