1980 Summary
 USA Model Summary for 1980 VW Vanagons

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1980 was the first model year for Vanagons in the U.S. Four models of the Vanagon were built for the US market for this model year.

Prices shown in individual descriptions are MSRP figures from actual window stickers and other reference sources. Where a range of prices is shown, this depicts the range of MSRPs found. The price ranges are not an attempt to indicate a selling price range. These varied prices are likely the result of mid-year price changes from VW.

Colors available

The following colors were available for the Vanagon, Vanagon Camper (p22) and Vanagon Camper (P27):

Ivory

Assuan Brown

Medium Blue

The following colors were available for the Vanagon L:

Ivory / Bright Orange

Guinea Blue / Cornat Blue

Samos Beige / Assuan Brown

Ivory / Bamboo Yellow

Distinguishing features

The new name "Vanagon" is a contraction of "van" & "station wagon". Since this was the first year for the Vanagon model, there were numerous changes from the "Bus" or "Transporter" models of 1979. The most noticeable difference is the very square, sharp edged look of the body. There are simply too many changes to describe here, so I won't even attempt it. One thing that did not change was the 2.0L fuel injected air cooled engine and its location at the rear of the van.

All 1980 Vanagons came with one grill at the front of the van, not for cooling air intake, but for interior ventilation. A pair of single round headlights are mounted in the grill. This one-grill look distinguishes all of the air cooled Vanagons from 1980 till 1983, when the air cooled Vanagons were discontinued, mid-year.

On the rear of the van was a "Volkswagen" logo on left side and a "Vanagon" or "Vanagon L" logo on the right side. The rear hatch does NOT have a "VW" logo. The cooling air intake grills on each side of the van, behind the rear-most windows were steel and an integral part of the body. Along with the 1981 models, this vent design distinguishes them from the later models that were equipped with removable black plastic grills.

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Syncros Syncros

Full campers Full campers

Partial campers Partial campers

Wolfsburgs Wolfsburg editions

1980 Vanagon

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1980 Vanagon L

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1980 Vanagon Camper (P22)

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1980 Vanagon L Camper (P27)

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