Help to identify my Westfalia California model

[Lloydfred]

Hi I'm new here and also new to the T4 camper scene. Ive been looking for the right van for a while and I found what I believe to be a rare and decent example. (I hope so anyway)

I have been trying to identify the van and what country it was imported from before I pick it up (for insurance purposes). I'm not sure if its an EU import or an American import due to what looks oversized front bumpers.

So heres what I know about the van.

Its a 1998 Westfelia California 2.5 petrol auto with 38.5K genuine original miles on the clock. I've done a HPI check and I have confirmation of mileage and all MOT works. The van was imported into the UK in 2011 and has only done 4K in the last 6 years.

I've had a look on the westfaliat4.info site and there appears to be several California versions for 1998 the Joker, Exclusive, and Blue.

If anyone is able to identify the model this would be a great help. The badge on the back says "California CV" I think but I can't find anything online to identify this as a model.


Thanks in advance

Lloydfred

 

[Hotel California]

Hi and welcome , i'm not in the right place to confirm , but the interieur seems correct , alltough i belive many have used original T4 california parts to convert vans.
The plastic flap under the fuel tank cap ...was that original?
Should there not be windows in the canvas on both sides instead one in the front?
Wierd front bumper....

Wish we had Dan still here....
forum @TwentyOneThirtyFive ....help!

 

[Lloydfred]

Hi and welcome , i'm not in the right place to confirm , but the interieur seems correct , alltough i belive many have used original T4 california parts to convert vans.
The plastic flap under the fuel tank cap ...was that original?
Should there not be windows in the canvas on both sides instead one in the front?
Wierd front bumper....

Wish we had Dan still here....
forum @TwentyOneThirtyFive ....help!

I don't think its original, it looks like its been added at some point. It could be a fresh water mains inlet like I had on my tow along van?

 

[Hotel California]

CV could mean BHP ....does it has a number next to /beside CV

CV could mean ConVersion

It has everything on it to be original VW and just noticed it is LHD so where does it come from?

 

[DAN@ADRIANFLUX]

Hi,
If you do need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line. We shouldn't have any issues if it us a US or EU specification.
Regards,
Dan.

 

[Lloydfred]

CV could mean BHP ....does it has a number next to /beside CV

CV could mean ConVersion

I think is says something "van" its obscured in the picture by the bike rack. Maybe Camper van CV

 

[Simon67]

Looks mint! Could it be a Japanese import? Petrol, auto and low miles.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[sidepod]

Hmmmm? Doesn't look like an original van to me. Could be a caravelle with Westy interior?

That extra inlet/flap by the fuel is deffo suspect.

What year did the bull nose facelift appear?

It doesn't have the diesel parking heater fitted. This is a show stopper!!! Think twice about buying a van without this vital bit of kit.

Take more time. Do more research. Mobile.de is the website.

Where are you based? I have a fine example for sale at the moment.

 

[Chriswoody]

Well it certainly looks odd, are you sure it's a 98? it has a short nose on it (The Square Headlights are the give away) and an early cab interior. Westfalia stopped converting Short nose vans in 96. I have a 98 Joker, and they are a long nose van with a later style cab interior and look a lot different to this van. Pre 96 though, the front panel under the lights was in 3 pieces which this one isn't.

Also the rear panel on the drivers side is not a window, which is very odd. I've not seen that before. Basically Westfalia used the Caravelle as a base vehicle and that has windows all around.

On the same point, there appears to be no seatbelt coming out of the back overhead locker. VW made two versions of the T4, the panel van (WV1 Chassis) and people carriers (WV2 chassis) the people carriers had a second skin inside and reinforcement to carry three point seat belts. The inside rear passenger seatbelt on a California comes out of the overhead locker, just above the speaker. It then clips into a buckle on the edge of the seat, before then finally clipping into a buckle in the centre of the seat. This makes it a fully functioning three point seat belt. Again I can see no evidence of this in the above pictures.

All in all, quite a few odd bits here and there, but if it's come from America, then who knows what VW shipped over there? Most of what I've just said may not apply to an American export.

 

[2into1]

My initial thoughts were American, the Japanese. There are lots of Westfalia T4 videos from the States (Try Eurovan in your search) on Youtube that may help you zone in.

 

[larrylamb]

It doesn't have the diesel parking heater fitted. This is a show stopper!!! Think twice about buying a van without this vital bit of kit.

What is the black grill on the floor behind the passenger seat? Is that parking heater or just normal heater from the engine?

 

[WelshGas]

This might help.


Decoding The Chassis Number or VIN number

Since 1982, all vehicles leaving the production line are required to have a 17 digit chassis number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Here follows a break down of the T4's chassis number system - as found stamped on the scuttle panel below the windscreen, and on the top of the dashboard on some export models. There should be a data card attached behind the rubber trim in the driver's footwell adjacent to the fusebbox, and inside the front cover of the service booklet.

Base Model Range

___ ZZZ 70 Z L H xxxxxx

• WV1 - Commercial vehicles (Vans and Pick-ups)
• WV2 - Leisure vehicles (Campers, Caravelles, Eurovans, Kombis)
• WV3 - Chassis cabs and Power Cabs for specialist applications

WV refers to vehicles produced in Europe - vehicles produced elsewhere will have a different set of characters.

Filler Codes

WV1 ___ 70 _ L H xxxxxx

The Z’s are filler codes and only serve to pad out the VIN number to the European standard 17 digit code. This is where special options or requirements are noted on the chassis number.

Type Code

WV1 ZZZ __ Z L H xxxxxx

The VW Type Code for the T4 is simply 70

Model years

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z _ H xxxxxx

Model Years ran from August in the preceeding year to July of the year indicated until 2001 model year which started in May 2000 in the preceeding year.

T4a

• 1990 - L - European launch in January
• 1991 - M - UK launch in August 1990
• 1992 - N -
• 1993 - P - 1992 launch of Euro 2 compliant 1.9 Umwelt TD; Eurovan range introduced in States; Australian and Canadian launch; CKD Production - Poland, Taiwan, Indonesia
• 1994 - R - 500,000^th T4 made at Hanover
• 1995 - S - imports to States of Eurovan 7-seater models cease
• 1996 - T - to December 1995 (< T_199000); August launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI

T4b

• 1996 - T - launch January (T_200001 >) including the American Market Eurovan Weekender VR6
• 1997 - V -
• 1998 - W - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI and TDI Syncro; 1,000,000^th T4
• 1999 - X - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI
• 2000 - Y - to April 2000 - 50^th anniversary editions; launch of V6; relaunch of 7 seater Eurovan GLS V6 in States; launch of TDI in Australia;
• 2001 - 1 - from May 2000 - Caravelle range revamp;
• 2002 - 2 - X-pack long nose option available in the UK
• 2003/4 - 3/4 - Final Edition Multivans and Westfalia Generation are produced alongside T5 from March 2003
• 2005 - the final Eurovan is sold in States in September 2004; the 10 millionth VW Transporter (including LT, Trucks and Buses) leaves the production line (a T5)

Where T4’s were made

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L _ xxxxxx

• H - Hanover, Germany
• X - Poznan, Poland from 1993
• C -Taiwan (built under license by Chin Chun Motors Ltd from 1993)
• J - Jakata, Indonesia (built under license by PT Garuda Mataran Motor Company)

Production Serial Number

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L H ______

This is merely a six digit sequential number relating to the numbers leaving the production lines.

http://www.dubnetworks.net/vw-vin-decoder.htm

 

[sidepod]

It's just fresh air vent from engine.

The diesel heaters are fitted to the left behind the drivers seat.
Also, there is no control panel above the sink for the heater. I don't think the overhead panel above the dash has heater controls integrated . These appeared later.

 

[sidepod]

This might help.


Decoding The Chassis Number or VIN number

Since 1982, all vehicles leaving the production line are required to have a 17 digit chassis number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Here follows a break down of the T4's chassis number system - as found stamped on the scuttle panel below the windscreen, and on the top of the dashboard on some export models. There should be a data card attached behind the rubber trim in the driver's footwell adjacent to the fusebbox, and inside the front cover of the service booklet.

Base Model Range

___ ZZZ 70 Z L H xxxxxx

• WV1 - Commercial vehicles (Vans and Pick-ups)
• WV2 - Leisure vehicles (Campers, Caravelles, Eurovans, Kombis)
• WV3 - Chassis cabs and Power Cabs for specialist applications

WV refers to vehicles produced in Europe - vehicles produced elsewhere will have a different set of characters.

Filler Codes

WV1 ___ 70 _ L H xxxxxx

The Z’s are filler codes and only serve to pad out the VIN number to the European standard 17 digit code. This is where special options or requirements are noted on the chassis number.

Type Code

WV1 ZZZ __ Z L H xxxxxx

The VW Type Code for the T4 is simply 70

Model years

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z _ H xxxxxx

Model Years ran from August in the preceeding year to July of the year indicated until 2001 model year which started in May 2000 in the preceeding year.

T4a

• 1990 - L - European launch in January
• 1991 - M - UK launch in August 1990
• 1992 - N -
• 1993 - P - 1992 launch of Euro 2 compliant 1.9 Umwelt TD; Eurovan range introduced in States; Australian and Canadian launch; CKD Production - Poland, Taiwan, Indonesia
• 1994 - R - 500,000^th T4 made at Hanover
• 1995 - S - imports to States of Eurovan 7-seater models cease
• 1996 - T - to December 1995 (< T_199000); August launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI

T4b

• 1996 - T - launch January (T_200001 >) including the American Market Eurovan Weekender VR6
• 1997 - V -
• 1998 - W - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI and TDI Syncro; 1,000,000^th T4
• 1999 - X - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI
• 2000 - Y - to April 2000 - 50^th anniversary editions; launch of V6; relaunch of 7 seater Eurovan GLS V6 in States; launch of TDI in Australia;
• 2001 - 1 - from May 2000 - Caravelle range revamp;
• 2002 - 2 - X-pack long nose option available in the UK
• 2003/4 - 3/4 - Final Edition Multivans and Westfalia Generation are produced alongside T5 from March 2003
• 2005 - the final Eurovan is sold in States in September 2004; the 10 millionth VW Transporter (including LT, Trucks and Buses) leaves the production line (a T5)

Where T4’s were made

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L _ xxxxxx

• H - Hanover, Germany
• X - Poznan, Poland from 1993
• C -Taiwan (built under license by Chin Chun Motors Ltd from 1993)
• J - Jakata, Indonesia (built under license by PT Garuda Mataran Motor Company)

Production Serial Number

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L H ______

This is merely a six digit sequential number relating to the numbers leaving the production lines.

http://www.dubnetworks.net/vw-vin-decoder.htm

Blimey. Is that you Dan in disguise?

 

[larrylamb]

I'm thinking American import, who else needs an exit sign above the door they used to get in.

 

[Lloydfred]

Well now I'm so worried I'm researching the Westfelia info site. It looks like its a California Coach spec. From what I can tell the Coach was manufactured with a "Closed window aperture for the living area at the rear left."

The only main issue I can see is the Coach was manufactured from 1993 - 1995 but who knows if this applies to all export countries. I have until the 11th of February to get to the bottom of this.

(See Image of a Coach rear living area left blank window)

As for the parking heater the Spec lists no mention of this as standard. However it does mention

"Night heater:

• 
  without timer, outlet only in living area, thermostat in roof frame (only with 2 additional batteries). Cost 3490 DM
  
  with timer, outlet only in living area, thermostat and timer in roof frame (only with 2 additional batteries). Cost 3766 DM

Climate control with mechanical control and vents in drivers cab (only with 2.0l and 2.5l otto, with 5 speed must have 60A battery, only with 120A alternator, not with 1.9 l diesel and turbo diesel motor or 2.4 l diesel motor with automatic gearbox)."

I have only put a £500 refundable deposit on this van and as yet I've not seen it. The terms of the refundable deposit are if the van is not as described a full refund will be issued. The advert says its a right hand drive Genuine Westfelia and its clearly a left hooker in the picture.

The interior fabric in the coach is the same as in my van

"The upholstery material in the VW Westfalia T4 California Coach camper for driver, passenger and rear seat/bed was a grey flat woven fabric with blue stripes and pattern known as “Flockwürfel” which translates to something like “Flock cubes”.

"

The steering wheel is wrong but the dash without heater switching is the same as my van.

"The Volkswagen Westfalia California Coach camper had light grey furniture with a blue speckle finish and blue edging. The upholstery had a grey / blue patterned woven fabric.

The








































The curtains for sides and rear in the VW Westfalia T4 California Coach camper were grey.

 

[sidepod]

The rear quarter without window is ok. My '93 is like that but it should have decals on it as the pic above shows.

Mileage has to be suspect. Far too low.

Why are you so keen to buy this van? What is the asking price?

 

[Lloydfred]

View attachment 18879 The rear quarter without window is ok. My '93 is like that but it should have decals on it as the pic above shows.

Mileage has to be suspect. Far too low.

Why are you so keen to buy this van? What is the asking price?

the asking price is £11,500 and I suspected as you have. However I checked out the dealer and I have done a full HPI on the van and it looks legit.

It was imported in 2011 and has had one previous owner. I can see the millage history through the MOT's attached to the HPI. The HPI shows nothing of any concern but like you I'm suspicious now.

 

[Lloydfred]

Found this I think its the US Coach production run it shows the 2.5 petrol engine in production from 1998 - 2003

Petrol engines[edit]
Model Engine ID code Engine configuration Engine displacement DIN rated motive power + rpm Torque + rpm Years
1.8 PD inline-4 SOHC 8v 1,781 cc (108.7 cu in) 67 PS (49 kW; 66 bhp) + 4,000 140 N·m (103 lbf·ft) + 2,200 1990–1992
2.0 AAC inline-4 SOHC 8v 1,968 cc (120.1 cu in) 84 PS (62 kW; 83 bhp) + 4,300 159 N·m (117 lbf·ft) + 2,200 1990–2003
2.5 AAF; ACU inline-5 SOHC 10v 2,461 cc (150.2 cu in) 112 PS (82 kW; 110 bhp) + 4,500 190 N·m (140 lbf·ft) + 2,200 1990–1997
2.5 AET; APL; AVT inline-5 SOHC 10v 2,461 cc (150.2 cu in) 115 PS (85 kW; 113 bhp) + 4,500 200 N·m (148 lbf·ft) + 2,200 1997–2003
2.8 VR6 AES VR6 DOHC 12v 2,792 cc (170.4 cu in) 140 PS (103 kW; 138 bhp) + 4,500 240 N·m (177 lbf·ft) + 3,000 1996–2000
2.8 VR6 AMV, AXK VR6 DOHC 24v 2,792 cc (170.4 cu in) 204 PS (150 kW; 201 bhp) + 6,200 245 N·m (181 lbf·ft) + 2,500 2000–2003

 

[Cali4nia-Dream]

Do you know the full registration number?
Have you tried the MOT check https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
I have just tried this site using what I could get of the reg from the pictures S756 BB and with a bit of trial and error found a vehicle with the following details which seem similar.
IT MAY NOT BE THE ONE YOU ARE LOOKING AT and there are a few discrepancies between the MOT site and the tax/licensing site, so I suggest you try those sites with the full reg number.

• Vehicle makeVOLKSWAGEN
• Date first used12 February 1995
• Fuel typePetrol
• ColourWhite

MOT history of this vehicle

• Test date17 March 2016
• Expiry date16 March 2017
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading61,359 miles

.........

• Test date16 February 2011
• Expiry date15 February 2012
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading47,120 miles

by my maths thats 15,239 miles since 2011, and it is not the claimed "with 38.5K genuine original miles on the clock"

and the website https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ViewVehicle gives the following for the reg I tried
Vehicle details

• Vehicle make VOLKSWAGEN
• Date of first registration February 2011
• Year of manufacture 1998
• Cylinder capacity (cc) 2460 cc
• CO₂Emissions 0 g/km

Neither site quote LHD or RHD
I hope I have found a different vehicle to the one you re looking at. If I have stumbled on the one you are looking at then I would be considering asking Trading Standards or similar to investigate potential clocking.

I only discovered about the MOT history site when we sold our old MH and the dealer knocked the offered price down because he found out about some advisories on the MOT just from the reg number, before he even came and looked at it.

 

[Lloydfred]

t

Do you know the full registration number?
Have you tried the MOT check https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
I have just tried this site using what I could get of the reg from the pictures S756 BB and with a bit of trial and error found a vehicle with the following details which seem similar.
IT MAY NOT BE THE ONE YOU ARE LOOKING AT and there are a few discrepancies between the MOT site and the tax/licensing site, so I suggest you try those sites with the full reg number.

• Vehicle makeVOLKSWAGEN
• Date first used12 February 1995
• Fuel typePetrol
• ColourWhite

MOT history of this vehicle

• Test date17 March 2016
• Expiry date16 March 2017
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading61,359 miles

.........

• Test date16 February 2011
• Expiry date15 February 2012
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading47,120 miles

by my maths thats 15,239 miles since 2011, and it is not the claimed "with 38.5K genuine original miles on the clock"

and the website https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ViewVehicle gives the following for the reg I tried
Vehicle details

• Vehicle make VOLKSWAGEN
• Date of first registration February 2011
• Year of manufacture 1998
• Cylinder capacity (cc) 2460 cc
• CO₂Emissions 0 g/km

Neither site quote LHD or RHD
I hope I have found a different vehicle to the one you re looking at. If I have stumbled on the one you are looking at then I would be considering asking Trading Standards or similar to investigate potential clocking.

I only discovered about the MOT history site when we sold our old MH and the dealer knocked the offered price down because he found out about some advisories on the MOT just from the reg number, before he even came and looked at it.

Hi Yes I think it is the same van but the millage according to the clock is 61,912 KMs the dealer converted the KM in his advert into 38,470 miles.

Ive just looked at my HPI check and its displaying the van as 61,359 miles and not KMs

 

[2into1]

Confusion between km and miles on mot certificates and service records in 'par for the course' with a imported van in the UK.

(even though most of us have mph templates on our previously km speedos, the distance recorder is still in km).

 

[Hotel California]

Wow , lots of info came in overnight!

 

[Chriswoody]

One thing to bear in mind is that these things often sat around for a while before selling. My van was listed as a 2000 model, which was when it was first registered on the road. As it was, it was quite clearly built in 98 as a Joker. This could quite easily be an early model van that has sat around until 98 until being first registered.

Sidepod has cleared up the mystery for me about the rear window, I hadn't realised it was a metal panel on earlier models. So you can discard my earlier musings on that.

As for the parking heater, the intake is on the side of the van immediately behind the drivers seat. The outflow is the two black vents you see on the floor between the cab and living area. These black vents also have a supplementary blower under the van that provides hot air from the vans main heating system when thats running.

 

[Cali4nia-Dream]

Confusion between km and miles on mot certificates and service records in 'par for the course' with a imported van in the UK.

(even though most of us have mph templates on our previously km speedos, the distance recorder is still in km).

I wasn't aware of that as a fairly standard issue with MOTs on imports.