1978 Volkswagen westfalia Deluxe campMobile

It didn't take Dave and Lea very long to realize traveling back and forth to Molokai on a regular basis could get very expensive.  

On average they were spending $150 a day for a hotel room and $75 a day for a rental car. That's $225 a day, in addition to airfare.  A two-night trip to Molokai could easily cost $800 to $1000. And they were planning to travel to Molokai 6-12 times a year.  This was money that could be used to pay for building supplies, photovoltaics, etc.  Dave offhandedly suggested a VW camper van might be a way to get out from under these expenses.

Molokai has really great camping sites. And Dave and Lea didn't need much when they were on Molokai meeting with contractors, electricians, plumbers, etc.

One thing Dave didn't know about Lea was that she used to be quite handy at VW repairs. As a teenager, Lea and her boyfriend built a couple of baja bugs and a dune buggy. In fact, Lea owned a 1963 VW baja bug that required constant upkeep and she was always in the garage fixing or tuning one thing or another. 

Anyhow, cueing in on Dave's suggestion, Lea checked out Craig's List on 04/13/2009 to see if there were any VW camper vans for sale.  As luck would have it, there it was: a very ugly, very worn, rusty old VW camper van.  Actually, there was also a 1969 camper van that exterior wise, might have been in slightly better condition.  However, the 1978 van sounded like it's engine was solid, it was a few years younger, and it didn't need a new master cylinder like the 1969.  Besides, Dave and Lea enjoyed meeting Rich and Shannon: the friendly young couple who was selling the1978 van.  Rich was very careful to point out the problems with the van, and what it needed. 

04/19/2009 For better or worse, Dave and Lea purchased the van. 

4/26/2009 Shortly after Dave and Lea finished their first body repairs, they ordered new seals and a canvas for the pop-top.

craigs list
van back
As ugly as the van may be, it does have character.  It also has TONS of rust holes that need to be repaired before it can be shipped to Molokai. Note the size of the holes on the back roof (inserts show a close-up view).  During a heavy rain, water would just run right into the back of the van and soak the bed. (04/26/2009)
van profile
Side Profile of the 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper Van.  (04/26/2009)
Dave grinding away the rust.  This was Dave's first time doing bodywork and he did great! Lea gave him a crash course in grinding and Bondo. This is definitely not the best way to deal with rust.  However, the van is so full of rust, Dave and Lea aren't kidding themselves into thinking they can restore the van or make it perfect.  The idea is to make it functional and stop water from leaking into the van.  Filling all the holes with Bondo will do the job.  (04/26/2009)
Rain gutters removed, rust holes grinded, and the larger holes at the corners have started to be filled.  (04/26/2009)
repaired rust
Our first repair. The holes have been filled, and it's fairly straight. Not bad, eh?. ;-) (04/26/2009)
driver door
The holes above the driver's side door.  (5/02/2009)
passenger door
The holes above the passenger side door (05/02/2009)
camper pop top
Refinishing the luggage rack.  We're not even finished and it already looks better! (05/02/2009)
Pop-Top
The condition of the pop-top before refinishing.  (5/17/2009)
refinished top
 Refinished pop-top, new rubber, new tent, splatter-painted inside surface. Gosh, it ooks so much better! (8/15/2009)
pop-top
Side view of the refurbished pop-top, luggage rack, new tent, and new rubber. (8/16/2009)