Someone had pointed out the high asking price for a particular air-cooled
Westfalia on Craigslist.  Much hillary, raised eyebrows and chuckling
ensued.  Was the firm price of $3500 that far out of norm?  Let's take a
walk down the field of air-cooled dreams...

This 1980 appears very complete and fairly free of rust, but the seller
mentions windshield seal rust which often means holes in the body under the
seal.  A rebuilt motor is mentioned.  $4000 OBO:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1252379

1982 Westy, automatic, with some surface rust and the camper interior
painted black.  Dropped valve in the motor.  Extra motor included for extra
$$.  $2500 OBO:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1254408

1980 Westy, with surface showing profusely through the metallic green
paint. It is "factory A/C ready" and "rare automatic"  but needs an A/C
compressor.$3300 OBO:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1249994

1982 Westy, original color body which requires the usual amount of love and
has a mismatching sliding door.  Not all is lost as the owner is including
a Jake Raby recipe "camper special" motor and a good transmission to
replace the bad automatic that's currently in the vehicle.  $7500 OBO:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1201990

1981 Westy, automatic, "very are air-cooled", no mention whether the
automatic transmission is rare.  "Factory A/C" set up with missing
compressor and belt. Seller states the engine is rebuilt and also lists the
items he replaced.  $4500 OBO:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1236094

So there you have it. The options are out there.

--
Chris S.
"Build it, and they will come."