The 1983 Volkswagen Watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper Model History.
In 1983 the new version of the Volkswagen Westfalia Vanagon Camper was released. The main difference between this and the earlier versions was that it was now powered by a water cooled engine.
The information below is relating to the 1983 Watercooled Vanagon Camper for the USA / Canadian market with the beige furniture and the brown/green or brown/blue upholstery. To read about the earlier air-cooled and diesel (water cooled) Volkswagen T25 / T3 Westfalia Vanagons manufactured and registered between 1980 and 1983 CLICK HERE.
The VW Westfalia Vanagon campers were designed for the market in the USA and Canada and were available only in Poptop (elevating roof) form. Whereas the models built for Europe were available in both poptop and hightop versions.
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1) 1983 Watercooled VW Westfalia Vanagon Camper engine options and approx price (inclusive tax when new in standard form):
No prices yet so if you have any information or price lists for the Watercooled USA Volkswagen Westfalia Vanagon camper please send them to me.
1983 Westfalia Volkswagen Vanagon Camper (Pop Top)
Price For Volkswagen Transporter
Petrol Watercooled 1.9 Litre Otto Motor (1915cc) with Air Flow Control (AFC) fuel injection and 4 speed manual gearbox xx,xx DM
Petrol Watercooled 1.9 Litre Otto Motor (1915cc) with Air Flow Control (AFC) fuel injection and automatic gearbox xx,xx DM
It would appear that once the 1983 Watercooled petrol engine version was released production of the diesel Vanagon Camper was stopped.
Then add the additional cost for Westfalia equipment
Westfalia Vanagon Camping Equipment - xx,xx DM
2) 1983 Watercooled VW Westfalia Vanagon Colour Options
The Westfalia Vanagon was available initially in 1983 in 4 colours
B9B9 Ivory Beige (L567) (Elfinbein) - Available with interior upholstery van Dyck Green/Brown (KW).
T6T6 Assuan Brown (LH8B) (Assuanbraun) -Available with interior upholstery van Dyck Green/Brown (KW) or van Dyck Blue/Brown (KD)
R1R1 Pastel White (L90D) (Pastellweiss) -Available with interior upholstery van Dyck Green/Brown (KW) or van Dyck Blue/Brown (KD)
N1N1 Escorial Green (LT6A) (Escorialgrün) - Available with interior upholstery van Dyck Green/Brown (KW)
3) 1983 Watercooled VW Westfalia Vanagon Camper Furniture Specification
The 1983 watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper was available in one layout.
This was the same layout as had been used in the aircooled Vanagon P27 (Pop Top).
1983 Volkswagen Westfalia Vanagon Camper Pop Top
The 1983 VW Westfalia Vanagon Camper layout consisted of:
1) Combination cupboard 87 cm wide x 45 cm deep on the left behind the drivers seat with sink, two flame LP gas cooker with splash plate. The splash plate folds down and can be used to drain dishes after washing. Also the unit has a cutlery draw, a large cupboard for tableware and a fridge.
2) Cupboard unit with 10.5 US Gallon (40 litre) integrated freshwater tank.
3) Wardrobe (with mirror on inside of door) and storage unit with 3 shelves over the engine bay.
4) Roof locker below roof bed.
5) Cushion 120 cm wide over the engine bay.
6) 3/4 width rock n roll bed for 2 persons (bed is 188 cm x 120 cm when folded out) with bedding storage area under seat.
7) Rear table on swinging arm (80 cm x 40 cm) with off white surface finish and dark brown edging trim.
8) Front table on swinging arm (60 cm x 40 cm) with off white surface finish and dark brown edging trim.
1983 Volkswagen Westfalia Vanagon Camper (Pop Top) Interior Photos
The 1983 Watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper had beige furniture and upholstery with either brown and blue or brown and green stripes (as had later versions of the aircooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper).
1983 Westfalia Vanagon Camper (Poptop) with “Van Dyck KD” (beige base with brown and blue stripes) upholstery
1983 Westfalia Vanagon Camper (Poptop) with “Van Dyck KW” (beige base with brown and green stripes) upholstery
4) 1983 Watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper Upholstery Specification
The 1983 Watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper had beige furniture and the upholstery was either “van Dyck KD” (brown and blue stripes) or “van Dyck KW” (brown and green stripes).
This material seems to be harder wearing than the earlier options but can still show signs of wear on seat edges etc.
If “van Dyck KD” (brown and blue stripes) upholstery was specified the curtains and rear armrest were made from material with blue and brown dots.
If “van Dyck KW” (brown and green stripes) upholstery was specified the curtains and rear armrest were made from material with green and brown dots.
5) 1983 VW Westfalia Watercooled Vanagon Camper Pop Top Roof Specification
Luggage rack with tie down hooks over the drivers cab.
Inner lining of roof was a soft flock material.
Canvas had a large opening aperture at the front with a zippable mosquito net.
Fibreglass roof had an opening plastic window (29 cm x 39 cm) with mosquito net.
Double bed in pop top roof 185 cm x 122 cm.
The double bed in roof on pop tops was light brown for all pre 1986 Westfalia Vanagon Campers.
The roof canvas on pop tops was light brown for all pre 1986 Westfalia Vanagon Campers.
6) 1983 Watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper Flooring and Carpet Specification
The rear floor was a multi coloured lino type material and this was covered by a removable square dark brown carpet with a non slip rubber backing.
The front carpet in the cab was a tan coloured brown.
7) 1983 Watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper Door Trim Specification
8) 1983 Watercooled Westfalia Vanagon Camper Standard Model Specification
Insulated on all inner bodywork in the living area with 25 mm thick mineral fibre plates. Floor area has a plywood sheet with PVC covering.
The 1983 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper had opening sliding windows on the sliding door and above the kitchen unit.
Curtains all round including drivers cabin area. The curtains for the sliding door and front windscreen were clipped on when required.
45 litre (1.5 cu. ft.) fridge working from 12v, 110v AC or LP gas.
One transistor 12 volt light above sink.
40 Litre (10.5 US gallon) freshwater tank with electric pump and external hook up.
Swivelling passenger and drivers seat (driver 90 degrees to right, passenger 180 degrees to rear) with frame type headrests.
External underbody LPG tank.
Diode control display system on the kitchen unit showing fresh water tank level, battery charge level and indicator when fridge is running on gas.
Brown padded strip on dashboard.
Round Headlights.
Dual Outside mirrors.
Speedometer with resettable mileage trip.
Vanity mirror in front passenger sun visor.
Lockable glovebox.
Safety steering wheel with energy absorbing and collapsible column.
Two speed front windshield wipers with intermittent cycle feature.
Door switch controlled courtesy light.
Three point seat belts in front and 2 x rear lap belts.
Illuminated ashtray with cigarette lighter.
Flow through fresh air ventilation with 3-speed blower-assist.
Multidirectional heated and fresh air distribution system with illuminated control panel.
Overhead fresh air outlets.
Separate rear heater with 3-speed blower- assist.
Storage compartment on drivers door.
Analogue clock.
Fuel level gauge.
Lined panels on interior side walls and carpeting throughout.
110 volt AC duplex power outlet with master switch, circuit breaker and external electrical connection.
External water hook up for city water (this means to connect mains water supply direct to van).
Sliding windows with screens in sliding door and opposite above kitchen block.
Opening front quarter light windows in driver and passenger door.
Electric rear window demister.
Removable insect screen for rear tailgate.
Steel wheels with full wheel covers.
Chrome bumpers front/rear, with impact strip.
9) 1983 Westfalia Vanagon Camper options available at extra cost included:
Auxiliary Night Heater (BA-6) located under van.
Air Conditioning.
Tinted glass. All around.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer.
AM/FM Cassette Radio and Four Speakers.
Radio Preparation consisting of Four Speakers, Antenna and Suppression.
10) 1983 Watercooled Volkswagen Westfalia Vanagon Camper Badging
11) Links to Volkswagen 1983 Westfalia Vanagon Camper Sales Brochures (Prospekt) and Price Lists (Preisliste)
The following links show various sales literature that was produced by Volkswagen and Westfalia.
Please note that some of the links take you to an external site called vwpix.org which is an excellent source of sales literature for all versions of VW camper van.
1983 VW Westfalia Vanagon Sales Brochures Prospekt Download
Feb 1983 VW Westfalia Joker USA Sales Brochure Prospekt With Prices Preisliste (2 Pages Black And White)
Sept 1983 Canada VW Vanagon including Camper Sales Brochure Prospekt (8 Pages Colour)
1984 USA The New Waterboxer VW Vanagon Sales Brochure Prospekt (10 Pages Colour)
1984 USA VW Vanagon The Legend Improves Sales Brochure Prospekt (8 Pages Colour)
1984 USA VW Volkswagen Vanagon Sales Brochure Prospekt (18 Pages Colour)
1983 VW Westfalia Vanagon Accessories Zubehör Download
None yet !
1983 VW Westfalia Vanagon Price Lists Preisliste Download
Feb 1983 VW Westfalia Joker USA Sales Brochure Prospekt With Prices Preisliste (2 Pages Black And White)
1983 VW Westfalia Camper Colour Charts
1984 Canada Colour and Upholstery Guide Vanagon (6 Pages Colour)
For loads more VW Westfalia T25 / T3 / Vanagon downloads CLICK HERE
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