Tour Bus

This 1970’s time-capsule is still on its journey around the globe, and is showing no signs of stopping.

- Ivan McCutcheon

 

Back in 1978 this Westfalia Camper was the top of the range offering in the United States. You could have chosen from three models, all sold under the name Campmobile. There was the P21 Standard, which came painted in mono-tone Pastel White with orange plaid upholstery, and was basically a two-berth Camper with a solid steel roof. Buyers could add an optional raising-roof with double bed, should they wish, but doing so would have resulted in having the same vehicle as the second model VW of America offered, the P22 Pop-Up Top Campmobile. Although P21 with optional roof would have still been Pastel White, the P22 came in L63H Sage Green with a green plaid cloth interior. Finally, there was the range-topping P27 Deluxe Campmobile in L13A Dakota Beige (a colour only offered during 1978) with a beige and brown plaid interior.

If you opted for the top dog Campmobile you’d have an electric refrigerator, rather than a cool box (which relied on the addition of ice to do its stuff), an exterior ‘city water hook-up’ (found under the gas vent on the panel on the driver’s side long panel, a storage box / buddy seat, upholstered in matching plaid and designed to fit between the cab seats. The buddy seat could be moved and used as an additional seat when parked up and dining. The Deluxe also got a twin burner gas stove, although it was optional on the P21 and 22 Campmobiles. Last on the list of extras you’d have found in the Deluxe was a snack table in the cab for driver and shotgun.

Turning time back