Volkswagen T3 Westfalia Vanagon (1981)
Volkswagen T3 Westfalia Vanagon (1981), first registered in the USA, with camping equipment, H license plate
Overview
The provision is 5% + VAT of the sales price and at least 500 € + VAT.
BID HISTORY
Got questions?
Lucas Bechtold+49 176 3244 5094Frequently asked questions about our auctions
Do you have a similar Volkswagen?
Start sellingVolkswagen T3 Westfalia Vanagon (1981)
Highlights and general information
A 1981 VW T3 is for sale in brown with brown interior.
Highlights
- Sought-after Westfalia equipment
- Contemporary color combination
- First registered in the USA
- TÜV until 02/2027 and H license plate
- Investment of approx. €8,000
- With camping equipment
- Last service in February 2025
General information about the vehicle
- Year of manufacture: 1981
- First registration: USA, 02/1981
- Location: 50127 Bergheim, Germany
- Number of previous owners: unknown
- Accident-free in current ownership
- Registered
- H license plate
- TÜV: until 02/2027
- Ready to drive
Model history
The VW T3 is the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was produced from 1979 to 1992. Larger and more angular than its predecessor, it remained true to the classic rear-engine layout. Known worldwide under various names, it appeared in Europe as the Transporter or Caravelle, and in North America as the Vanagon. The all-wheel-drive version, the "Syncro," was manufactured in Austria. The T3 marked the end of the rear-wheel drive VW Transporter era.
Facts
Exterior & interior:
- Exterior color: Brown
- Interior: brown fabric upholstery with checkered pattern
- No repainting according to the owner (original condition)
Engine and transmission:
- 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 69 hp (51 kW)
- Replacement engine installed
- Manual transmission
- Last service: 02/2025
Mileage
- Mileage: 47,851 km (read)
- Mileage verifiable: no
- No service history available
Documentation:
- German vehicle documents
Tires, brakes, bodywork & underbody:
- Tires: very good condition, replaced 2.5 years ago
- Body: good condition, but some age-related wear, some rust on rear window and sliding door, otherwise no rust
- Underbody: good condition, apparently no rust
- Please view the photo gallery and videos for further insights into the condition of the vehicle
Known defects
- Two small areas of rust: one on the rear window, one on the sliding door
- Roof tent with cosmetic defect
- Several paint defects on the body
- Scratches on the bodywork
- Please view the photo gallery and videos for further insight into the condition of the vehicle
Summary
A 1981 VW T3 Westfalia Vanagon in brown with brown interior is for sale. The bus was originally delivered in the USA, now has an H license plate, and is currently registered and roadworthy. A replacement engine has been installed, and the last service was in February 2025. According to the owner, around €8,000 has been invested. The bus shows signs of wear and tear on the body and pop-up roof, as expected for its age. Overall, this is a beautiful classic in a ready-to-drive condition.
Vehicle videos
Kickdown check
- Kickdown photographer was on site
- Video of the vehicle available
- Main inspection
- Current service performed



Comments of this past auction
Ich hatte damals nen 3er VR6 mit ebenfalls bunten Sitzen. Das konnte VW einfach und ich finds immer noch cool! Toller T3, der hier angeboten wird
Technik: Volkswagen hatte für den ersten Transporter von 1950 (T1) noch den Motor vom Käfer (Typ 1) und Teile des Fahrwerks vom Kübelwagen (Typ 82) übernommen. Der T2 von 1967 war nur eine weiterentwickelte Version mit größerer Karosserie und Schräglenker-Hinterachse. Erst der im Mai 1979 präsentierte T3 war das erste eigenständig neu entwickelte Transportermodell von VW. Abgesehen von der größeren, kantigen Karosserie hatte er viele technische Neuerungen, wie beispielsweise eine Zahnstangenlenkung statt der Rollenlenkung des Vorgängers und eine Vorderradaufhängung mit doppelten Dreiecksquerlenkern und Schraubenfedern anstelle der bisherigen Kurbellenkerachse mit Drehfederstäben. Auch die Schräglenker-Hinterachse war nun mit Schraubenfedern (Miniblockfedern) versehen. Das Reserverad war beim T3 in einem aufklappbaren Halter unter der Fahrzeugfront angebracht statt im Innenraum. LG Tom