Date: Thu, 24 May 2001 20:16:39 -0000
Reply-To: John Pronk <john_pronk@STRATOS.CO.NZ>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Pronk <john_pronk@STRATOS.CO.NZ>
Organization: Stratos New Zealand Ltd
Subject: Re: Volkwagen Westfalia JOKER sighting
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Frank, did the upper bunk fixed portion of the bed actually sit on top of a moulded fiberglass panel? This sits directly on the roof as the roof section is not cut out as far back as in the westy. (hence the need for the upper bunk to fold out in 2 pieces, you do not have the same distance from the van roof to the pop top). You can see this by looking at the roof section above the lower bed, it is not flat as in a westy, but follows the contour of the roof the same as the head lining in a standard van does.
If it is as described this is an aftermarket conversion not done by westfalia but it does use westy parts.
Also the windows sound like the items available from Reimo, they are listed in their catalogue.
I have the actual VW factory manual for the Joker conversion, 1979 thru 1982, the joker 1 version is almost identical to the US version, the joker 2 is different, has a full width rear seat, small child seat in the left rear corner by the kitchen unit, but the top bunk is the same, ie one piece fold out section.
Regards
John.
----- Original Message ----- panel?From: Frank Condelli
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 11:16
Subject: Volkwagen Westfalia JOKER sighting
Yes, JOKER ! I had a fellow from Hull, QC come here to my shop in
Almonte yesterday with a guanine Volkswagen JOKER that he just brought in
from Germany. Picked it up in Halifax, drove it here to have a muffler
installed so it would pass QC inspection to get registered and plated.
It is a 1982, 1.6 diesel engined true Volkswagen (Vanagon style)
Westfalia JOKER camper with pop top like ours. Front grille with four, large
rectangular headlamps like our N. A. models outer headlamps but four of them
! No VW badge on the grille, no place for it ! Side windows are all
Plexiglas and sort of bubble shaped. Middle ones each side tilt open from
the bottom, hinged at top.
Propane tank, twice the size of ours, has gauge, YES I SAID A REAL
LIVE GAUGE !, auxiliary quick connect outlet on tank to go to whatever
accessory you would want to connect. All the controls are covered up
securely by a formed metal cover, painted the same colour as the Van, that is
held in place by big black threaded knob.
The Fridge is Electolux, sort of the same as our Dometic but different
controls. It is self lighting ! Just push a button and hold the safety
valve. It pulses spark until lit then a light comes on indicating it's lit
and running. The fridge is also 12 volt & 220 VOLT - This is gonna be a
problem ! Anyone out there know if this can be made to run on 110 volt ?
Big question !
Sink is twice the size of ours. Stove, two burner, is 90 degrees out
from ours. One burner in front of the other rather than side by side.
Controls on top not in front. Burners have safety elements that you must
hold on till hot.
Cabinets say Westfalia on them, they are shorter in length,
compartment and drawer under sink are narrower. Holding tank for water is
under sink and is just a plastic jug with a submersible pump in it. Storage
cabinets to rear of fridge, only one rear most. Then there is a small 16" x
16" x 6" propane heater installed, looked to be installed other than by
Westfalia, in this space, on the floor with a bit of shelved storage above it
and an upholstered seat on top of that.
The upper bunk part that folds out is in two pieces rather that like
our one piece. The walls of the van are not upholstered like ours but just
the painted metal.
Cigarette lighter on side of drivers seat pedestal, near the seat belt
receptacle.
Battery is in the engine compartment not under passenger seat.
Passenger seat swivels, not drivers. No arm rests on front seats nor
on rear bench seat.
No, city water hook up for sink. Exhaust port for fridge is just a
small square PLASTIC cover, like a dryer vent but smaller. One large oblong
lateral port of 220 volt plug in, humongous male European style plug, hinged
in place under the flap. No extension cord attached.
Came with original Westfalia side tent in BURGUNDY. Only been set up
ONCE ! I did not see the tent.....yet.....Simon is bringing the JOKER to
BusFusion and he will set up the tent for all BusFusionites to see.
Aluminium wheels were different from the ones we see here. VW emblem
in centre were indicating stock VW items. Hard to describe !
It was pretty cool all around and I spent way too much time checking
it out. I did get a new muffler installed for him as well as repairing a
broken water faucet, lubricating the sticking shift rod, and checking out the
propane system and getting all the gadgets to work. Yes, the fridge lit
right up ! After we learned what Auf & Zu mean on all the valves between the
tank the stove, fridge & heater. There are two valves on the tank, main and
aux. Four more under the sink, one main, one for stove, one for the fridge
one for the heater !
I hope to have some pics of it soon and will let you all know when I
post them to a website where we can all have a look see. He's thinking about
reselling this gem, no idea why but he did say he would let me know and send
me more details. Anyways, it will be at BusFusion so any of you coming will
see it and those of you who want to see it get on over to BusFusion in
Almonte June 7, 8, 9, 10. Don't know about BusFusion ? Then click on the
link !
Cheers
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
BusFusion a VW Camper event in Almonte, June 7-10
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC & Capital City VW Club
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers
Frank Condelli & Associates or http://frankcondelli.com
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