SOLD
- Thread starter kincade
- Start date
79bj40
Member
No price on the website either. Weirdest for sale post I have ever seen.
Yeah, maybe this should be on BAT since it’s got real auction vibes.
ThundahBeagle
Well-known member
OP does state over $100k invested...
That doesnt really change the market value. Obviously one in such good condition fetches top dollar but for example, if market tops at 70 and this one fetches 80, still doesn't make his investment back, though that always seems to be the objective when someone states how much they've invested. Maybe the market bears a buck twenty, I dont know.
Do love the fact all the receipts and documentation are in binders.
Best of luck with the sale
That doesnt really change the market value. Obviously one in such good condition fetches top dollar but for example, if market tops at 70 and this one fetches 80, still doesn't make his investment back, though that always seems to be the objective when someone states how much they've invested. Maybe the market bears a buck twenty, I dont know.
Do love the fact all the receipts and documentation are in binders.
Best of luck with the sale
ThundahBeagle
Well-known member
And just got back from the vanagon site (pics werent loading here.)
Beautiful. Tastefully done. This is another example of something I've always admired but have yet to own.
Beautiful. Tastefully done. This is another example of something I've always admired but have yet to own.
Regardless, post requires a price.
ThundahBeagle
Well-known member
Agree. I think sneaking in "invested over 100k" is unfortunately op's attempt to set a bar
Your upgrades add significant value beyond the engine swap. The Rocky Mountain Westy accessories ($3,800), Smallcar AC and brake upgrades, Battleborn battery setup, and full suspension rebuild aren’t cheap—those alone could tally $20k+ in parts and labor. The paint job, new seals, and Terra Wagen flares suggest a show-quality finish, which appeals to buyers who want turnkey perfection. Add in the ARB awning, Holley Retrobright LEDs, and forged Mercedes wheels, and you’re looking at a van that stands out even among other restored Westfalias. The fact that it’s rust-free, low-mileage (121k), and obsessively maintained (Fluid Film, Collinite sealant) further boosts its appeal.
That said, the $100k investment won’t translate dollar-for-dollar into resale value—custom builds rarely do. Buyers in this niche tend to cap out around $50k-$60k for even the best Vanagons, unless it’s a Syncro or a unicorn with celebrity provenance. Recent sales of Subaru-converted Westfalias (e.g., a 1984 with an EJ22 sold for $26k on Bring a Trailer in 2021, and a 1987 with similar mods hit $27.5k in 2015) suggest a ceiling closer to $40k for most, but those lacked your level of restoration and extras. A 2019 listing in Denver with an EJ22 and solid upgrades was asking $21k, but it wasn’t as comprehensive as yours.
Given the quality, rarity, and documentation, I’d estimate this van’s fair market value at $45,000 to $55,000. You could justify asking $60k+ to the right buyer—someone who gets the Kennedy swap’s legality, appreciates the over-the-top build, and doesn’t blink at the price tag. Starting higher (say, $65k-$70k) might make sense to test the market, especially with your detailed writeup and photos on vanagonforsale.com, but be prepared to negotiate down. The included spares, binders, and accessories are a nice bonus, but they’re unlikely to push the price much beyond what the van itself commands.
If you’re aiming for a quick sale, $45k would move it fast in Salt Lake City. For a fly-and-drive buyer or someone shipping it to California (where Subaru swaps are gold), $50k-$55k feels like the sweet spot.
That said, the $100k investment won’t translate dollar-for-dollar into resale value—custom builds rarely do. Buyers in this niche tend to cap out around $50k-$60k for even the best Vanagons, unless it’s a Syncro or a unicorn with celebrity provenance. Recent sales of Subaru-converted Westfalias (e.g., a 1984 with an EJ22 sold for $26k on Bring a Trailer in 2021, and a 1987 with similar mods hit $27.5k in 2015) suggest a ceiling closer to $40k for most, but those lacked your level of restoration and extras. A 2019 listing in Denver with an EJ22 and solid upgrades was asking $21k, but it wasn’t as comprehensive as yours.
Given the quality, rarity, and documentation, I’d estimate this van’s fair market value at $45,000 to $55,000. You could justify asking $60k+ to the right buyer—someone who gets the Kennedy swap’s legality, appreciates the over-the-top build, and doesn’t blink at the price tag. Starting higher (say, $65k-$70k) might make sense to test the market, especially with your detailed writeup and photos on vanagonforsale.com, but be prepared to negotiate down. The included spares, binders, and accessories are a nice bonus, but they’re unlikely to push the price much beyond what the van itself commands.
If you’re aiming for a quick sale, $45k would move it fast in Salt Lake City. For a fly-and-drive buyer or someone shipping it to California (where Subaru swaps are gold), $50k-$55k feels like the sweet spot.