American VW Dormobile Owners

Comment by Les Paw on March 24, 2013 at 11:59am

I bought Jerry Bus originally from a co-worker named Marty when I worked at the Family Motors Volkswagen/Porsche Dealership in Bakersfield, Ca. Marty's parents bought it brand new in Germany in 1969. Marty's family decided to move to the U.S in the early 70's and brought the Bus with them when they came. I think if I remember right Marty's Parents were not so fond of the "Land Of The Free", and moved back to Germany in the late 70's, leaving the bus with Marty and his brother who were in college at the time and wanted to stay in the States. The bus bounced between Marty and his brother for many years before he sold it to me in 1993 for $1500.00. I sold it in 1996 to a Kid who's name I can't remember, who sold it a year later to a guy named Ben who sold it back to me in 2012 for $8000.00.
This is a very long story cut VERY short. But I'm very happy to have it back, and looking forward to restoring Jerry to it's former glory.
I will add more to the history as I get time.

Jerry Bus is named after my good buddy and Uncle, Jerome Borgman. He is a lover of life, wife, cars, and most importantly, VDubs. Thank you for all your inspiration, Jerry.

Comment by John LaTorre on March 25, 2013 at 5:46pm

My bus George isn't a true Dormobile, but a tin-top Westfalia onto which a Dormobile roof was added. The original owner, a school teacher, ordered the bus and had it delivered to Ben Pon's dealership in Amsterdam. He and his family flew to Amsterdam, picked up the bus, and drove it straight to a coachworks in the area where the roof was installed. They then toured Europe dropped the bus off in Hamburg to have it shipped to the US, and flew home.

The Dormobile roof was actually offered by Westfalia up until 1970 as an alternative to their roof. But since George is a 1971 model, the teacher had to go "aftermarket" for his roof.

You probably already know this, but there's a woman in Oregon who is selling replacements for the plastic vents. They fit well and look "stock."

Comment by Les Paw on August 23, 2013 at 10:14am

1969 Dormoble 30k

http://www.2040cars.com/Volkswagen/Bus-Vanagon/1969-vw-dormobile-45...

Comment by John LaTorre on September 25, 2016 at 6:17pm

My friend Peter Alau gave me a book that might be of interest to you. It's called "Classic Dormobile Camper Vans" by Martin Watts. Price at $39.95, but it's the most complete history of the Dormobile that I've come across. Naturally, the book focuses on the Bedford and Land Rover adaptations, but the VW is given quite a lot of space and, in fact, may have been the most numerous conversion.

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