About Jules

Jules is our 1985 Volkswagen Westfalia Joker, Jubilee Edition.  She was built in October of 1984 and was first imported to Valdivia, Chile sometime around 1988 where she lived with three different families.  She even spent some time with folks in Concepcion before moving briefly to Santiago.  We bought her in mid-December, 2013.  This is me, less than an hour after the purchase (note glow of ownership).

FYI, her name comes from Jubilee, which was transformed to Julie, which we prefer say as 'Jules.'



The Jubilee Edition was a short-run, commemorative model that celebrated the protection of 250,000 Westfalia campers.  Though the Jubilee Joker is not radically different than other Jokers or Vanagon Campers (the USA equivalent of the Joker), her rare breed (and special tall seats and gold grill) impressed us.  After doing some internet digging, we learned that in the Westfalia museum in Germany, the Jubilee is one of the only third generation Transporters ('vanagons') on display.  Also, the model was celebrated in its sales brochure with a unique slogan, "Freiheit auf Rädern," which means, "Freedom on Wheels."
We like that.


Roughly 6 hours after purchase, while driving south on the Pan American Highway with my parents and brother aboard, Jules snapped a corroded engine stud, mixed her oil and coolant systems and came to a sputtering halt.  This was a wake up call.  A vehicle that is ~30 years old and has not seen significant maintenance in some time cannot be expected to hold up under heavy use.  It was clear that she needed attention, especially if we intended to drive her from the southern end of South America back to the US.  In the proceeding 4 months, aided by multiple skilled mechanics, generous friends, and the US postal service, Jules was updated and renovated to become the strong running vehicle that she is today.  The tale of these repairs will not be detailed here, but can be read on The Samba, a VW enthusiast forum where I tell the tale, pose questions and receive much needed advice.  Here are some of the threads I have started:


In summary, our restoration efforts included:
  • Complete rebuild of her original 1.9L, 4-cylinder,  DG, carburated (Peirburg 2e3) wasserboxer
    • new plugs, cables, distributor cap and rotor, fuel pump, oil pump, water pump, belt, fuel hoses
  • Complete rebuild of her original 5-speed, ABN transmission and gearbox
    • keep original ratios, but replace 'square-cut' 4/5th synchro with more robust, 'round-cut' one.
    • rebuild of shift-rod/selector assembly to tighten shifting pattern
  • Complete rebuild of rear brakes with new south african drums, shoes, ATE cylinders, and springs. 
    • new emergency brake cables, woven-steel flex lines and copper hard lines.
  • Complete rebuild of front brakes with rebuilt calipers and new rotors, pads and woven-steel flex lines.
  • Replacement of front bearings
  • Replacement of rear, driver's side, outer CV joint
  • Replacement of all 5 tires with Pirelli Scorpion A/T tires
  • Replace original torn canvas with identical 3-window, tan canvas tent.
  • Install GoWesty wasser-stopper rain fly
  • Replace snapped radio antenna and blown rear speakers.  Red LED dash lights
  • Rebuild of sliding door mechanism
  • Replacement of window sliders and installation of bigger wipers.
  • Fabrication of seat covers with pockets
  • Many other small projects...and certainly more to come!