Cesar:

I have an '81 7-passenger since new with 150,000+ miles on
it.  It was my fourth air-cooled VW bus--and the best.
Much better than the '76, in terms of comfort driving--
the position of the seat/wheel, handling, etc.  I think an
air-cooled Vanagon Westy would be great.

Just remember that the air-cooled engine doesn't like to
be lugged--keep the revs up.  Make sure the seal around
the engine sheetmetal to the body sheetmetal is good--
that keeps the hot air coming out the bottom of the engine
from pre-heating the cooling air coming down on the top.
You can put an oil temp sender in the sump plate--that
would be a good addition.  I never added an external oil
cooler to any of my air-cooleds.

I got 103,000 miles on the original '81 engine--that in
Colorado at elevations of 5,000' to 11,000'.  I never gave
a thought to jumping into it and heading anywhere.  I
still wouldn't.  There is a secure feeling with the air-
cooled that the waterboxer never gives.  I have one of
those, too.

Enjoy the great views from the Vanagon--and don't be in
a hurry.  ;-)

Richard

PS: mine is 49-state, so can't comment on the CA model,
except that stock it has an O2 sensor which would be a
good thing.  My non-O2 engine ran with an empty cat for
several years and passed Colorado emissions.