Vanagons USA
  • Home
  • 1980
    • 80 Vanagon
    • 80 Vanagon L
    • 80 Camper P22
    • 80 Camper P27
    • 80 Publications
  • 1981
    • 81 Vanagon
    • 81 Vanagon L
    • 81 Camper P22
    • 81 Camper P27
    • 81 Publications
  • 1982
    • 82 Vanagon L - Gas
    • 82 Vanagon L - Diesel
    • 82 Vanagon GL - Gas
    • 82 Vanagon GL - Diesel
    • 82 Camper - Gas
    • 82 Camper - Diesel
    • 82 Publications
  • 1983
    • 83 Vanagon L - Gas
    • 83 Vanagon L - Diesel
    • 83 Vanagon GL - Gas
    • 83 Vanagon GL - Diesel
    • 83 Camper - Gas
    • 83 Camper - Diesel
    • 83.5 Vanagon L - Water Boxer
    • 83.5 Vanagon GL - Water Boxer
    • 83.5 Camper - Water Boxer
    • 83 Publications
  • 1984
    • 84 Vanagon
    • 84 Vanagon GL
    • 84 Camper
    • 84 Wolfsburg Vanagon
    • 84 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 84 Publications
  • 1985
    • 85 Vanagon
    • 85 Vanagon GL
    • 85 Camper GL
    • 85 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 85 Publications
  • 1986
    • 86 Vanagon L
    • 86 Vanagon GL
    • 86 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 86 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 86 Wolfsburg Camper Syncro
    • 86 Camper GL
    • 86 Camper GL Syncro
    • 86 Publications
  • 1987
    • 87 Vanagon GL
    • 87 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 87 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 87 Wolfsburg Camper Syncro
    • 87 Camper GL
    • 87 Camper GL Syncro
    • 87 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 87 Publications
  • 1988
    • 88 Vanagon GL
    • 88 Camper GL
    • 88 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 88 Publications
  • 1989
    • 89 Vanagon GL
    • 89 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 89 Camper GL
    • 89 Camper GL Syncro
    • 89 Vanagon Carat
    • 89 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 89 Publications
  • 1990
    • 90 Vanagon
    • 90 Vanagon Syncro
    • 90 Vanagon GL
    • 90 Camper GL
    • 90 Camper GL Syncro
    • 90 Vanagon Carat
    • 90 Vanagon Multivan
    • 90 Vanagon Carat WLE
    • 90 Publications
  • 1991
    • 91 Vanagon
    • 91 Vanagon Syncro
    • 91 Vanagon GL
    • 91 Camper GL
    • 91 Camper GL Syncro
    • 91 Vanagon Carat
    • 91 Vanagon Multivan
    • 91 Publications
  • VW Birth Certificates
  • Future Website Plans
  • Custom Vanagon Fun
  • Home
  • 1980
    • 80 Vanagon
    • 80 Vanagon L
    • 80 Camper P22
    • 80 Camper P27
    • 80 Publications
  • 1981
    • 81 Vanagon
    • 81 Vanagon L
    • 81 Camper P22
    • 81 Camper P27
    • 81 Publications
  • 1982
    • 82 Vanagon L - Gas
    • 82 Vanagon L - Diesel
    • 82 Vanagon GL - Gas
    • 82 Vanagon GL - Diesel
    • 82 Camper - Gas
    • 82 Camper - Diesel
    • 82 Publications
  • 1983
    • 83 Vanagon L - Gas
    • 83 Vanagon L - Diesel
    • 83 Vanagon GL - Gas
    • 83 Vanagon GL - Diesel
    • 83 Camper - Gas
    • 83 Camper - Diesel
    • 83.5 Vanagon L - Water Boxer
    • 83.5 Vanagon GL - Water Boxer
    • 83.5 Camper - Water Boxer
    • 83 Publications
  • 1984
    • 84 Vanagon
    • 84 Vanagon GL
    • 84 Camper
    • 84 Wolfsburg Vanagon
    • 84 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 84 Publications
  • 1985
    • 85 Vanagon
    • 85 Vanagon GL
    • 85 Camper GL
    • 85 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 85 Publications
  • 1986
    • 86 Vanagon L
    • 86 Vanagon GL
    • 86 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 86 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 86 Wolfsburg Camper Syncro
    • 86 Camper GL
    • 86 Camper GL Syncro
    • 86 Publications
  • 1987
    • 87 Vanagon GL
    • 87 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 87 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 87 Wolfsburg Camper Syncro
    • 87 Camper GL
    • 87 Camper GL Syncro
    • 87 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 87 Publications
  • 1988
    • 88 Vanagon GL
    • 88 Camper GL
    • 88 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 88 Publications
  • 1989
    • 89 Vanagon GL
    • 89 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 89 Camper GL
    • 89 Camper GL Syncro
    • 89 Vanagon Carat
    • 89 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 89 Publications
  • 1990
    • 90 Vanagon
    • 90 Vanagon Syncro
    • 90 Vanagon GL
    • 90 Camper GL
    • 90 Camper GL Syncro
    • 90 Vanagon Carat
    • 90 Vanagon Multivan
    • 90 Vanagon Carat WLE
    • 90 Publications
  • 1991
    • 91 Vanagon
    • 91 Vanagon Syncro
    • 91 Vanagon GL
    • 91 Camper GL
    • 91 Camper GL Syncro
    • 91 Vanagon Carat
    • 91 Vanagon Multivan
    • 91 Publications
  • VW Birth Certificates
  • Future Website Plans
  • Custom Vanagon Fun
Picture
1985   MODEL YEAR OVERVIEW
The biggest change for the 1985 model year was a huge drop in sales. After a record-setting 1984 run, the 1985 models had some modest improvements, but buyers didn't show up and sales dropped 24% to 16,296 vans. 

​Until 1983 the Vanagon was the only entrant in the small van market in the USA. Vanagon USA sales peaked in 1984 when Toyota and Caravan were newly introduced. After that, the increasing onslaught of competition took a huge toll.
  - Toyota Van was introduced in 1983 with a 1984 model
  - Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth Caravan family began sales in 1983
     with a 1984 model.
  - Chevy/GMC Astro/Safari family started sales in 1984 with their
     new 1985 models
  - Ford introduced Aerostar in 1985 selling their 1986 models.

By 1985 the basic Vanagon design was 6 years old and a new engine didn't save it from this new competitive environment.
Picture
The 1985 Vanagon
​"When it comes to getting a lot into a little, Volkswagen has no peers. So it's only natural that Volkswagen should have pioneered the development of the passenger van so many years ago."                                  (from the 1985 Vanagon brochure)

MODELS
​​In all, there were four models of the Vanagon were built for model year 1985.
Two passenger van models                                                 Two camper models​
 - Vanagon
 - Vanagon GL
  - Vanagon Camper GL
 
- Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Limited Edition (mid-year availability)

PAINT SCHEMES
9 paint schemes were available for 1985 ​
Volkswagen discontinued the two-tone paint schemes that had been available from 1980 through 1984 in favor of single colors
Base Vanagons and Vanagon GL passenger vans
    - Pastel White
    - Beige
    - Capri Blue
    - Marine Blue
    - Savannah Beige Metallic
    - Flash Silver Metallic

    - Dove Blue Metallic 
    - Bronze Beige Metallic
Vanagon Camper GL
    - Pastel White
    - Beige
    - Merian Brown
    - Bronze Beige Metallic 
 Wolfsburg Limited Edition Campers
    - Pastel White
    - Savannah Beige Metallic
​    - Bronze Beige Metallic 

Volkswagen sold 16,296 Vanagons in the USA in model year 1985,  down 24% from 1984.
(According to 
CarSalesBase.com)

Notable 1985 Features:
1985 introduced only modest changes from the 1984 Vanagons.  Once change to provide a more modern appearance was the discontinuation of two-tone paint and the greater availability of optional metallic paint colors.

1985 provided the GL and Camper models with:
 - T
achometer and digital clock in pace of the mechanical clock
 - Power steering and a smaller steering wheel
    (introduced on the 1984 Wolfsburg models)
​ - Deluxe seats with fold-down armrests

1985 passenger models introduced the "Weekender Package" with:
 - Fold-down center seat back
 - Rear seat that converts to a bed when combined with a cushion
   over the engine compartment

All 1985 models came with an improved sliding door mechanism which improved both the latch and sliding functions.
​
1985 vans kept the upper grille at the front of the van for interior ventilation with a pair of single round headlights mounted along side along with a second, lower grille that provided cooling air for the front-mounted radiator.  This two-grille look distinguishes all of the water-cooled Vanagons from the older 1980 - 1983 air cooled models.

Like 1984 (and through 1987), the emblem on left side of the hatch included a VW logo followed by the word Volkswagen

As with all Vanagons beginning in 1982 through 1991, the 1985 models had removable black plastic cooling air intake grilles on each side of the van, behind the rear-most windows.
1985 Visual Cues:
The 1985 improved sliding door mechanism also included a smaller exterior handle and a smaller depression in the door surrounding the handle. This change continued through 1991 models.
​
1985 vans kept the upper grille at the front of the van for interior ventilation with a pair of single round headlights mounted along side along with a second, lower grille that provided cooling air for the front-mounted radiator.  This two-grille look distinguishes all of the water-cooled Vanagons from the older 1980 - 1983 air cooled models.

Like 1984 (and through 1987), the emblem on left side of the hatch included a VW logo followed by the word Volkswagen

As with all Vanagons beginning in 1982 through 1991, the 1985 models had removable black plastic cooling air intake grilles on each side of the van, behind the rear-most windows.
1985 Brochure Gallery     (Click any page to open)

The 1985 Vanagon
"Today, the 1985 Vanagon is the leading edge of technology in this class. The Vanagon offers an extraordinary amount of room and versatility in an extremely compact and streamlined space."


"Preparing meals in the Camper's fully equipped Kitchenette is an absolute breeze."


(from the 1985 Vanagon brochure)

Next and previous years                      
Picture
1984 Overview
 
Picture
1986 Overview

​Home

Contact / Report Errors

Images, Brand Names, and Trademarks are the property of their owners.                     Original site content Copyright © 2018-2021
  • Home
  • 1980
    • 80 Vanagon
    • 80 Vanagon L
    • 80 Camper P22
    • 80 Camper P27
    • 80 Publications
  • 1981
    • 81 Vanagon
    • 81 Vanagon L
    • 81 Camper P22
    • 81 Camper P27
    • 81 Publications
  • 1982
    • 82 Vanagon L - Gas
    • 82 Vanagon L - Diesel
    • 82 Vanagon GL - Gas
    • 82 Vanagon GL - Diesel
    • 82 Camper - Gas
    • 82 Camper - Diesel
    • 82 Publications
  • 1983
    • 83 Vanagon L - Gas
    • 83 Vanagon L - Diesel
    • 83 Vanagon GL - Gas
    • 83 Vanagon GL - Diesel
    • 83 Camper - Gas
    • 83 Camper - Diesel
    • 83.5 Vanagon L - Water Boxer
    • 83.5 Vanagon GL - Water Boxer
    • 83.5 Camper - Water Boxer
    • 83 Publications
  • 1984
    • 84 Vanagon
    • 84 Vanagon GL
    • 84 Camper
    • 84 Wolfsburg Vanagon
    • 84 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 84 Publications
  • 1985
    • 85 Vanagon
    • 85 Vanagon GL
    • 85 Camper GL
    • 85 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 85 Publications
  • 1986
    • 86 Vanagon L
    • 86 Vanagon GL
    • 86 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 86 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 86 Wolfsburg Camper Syncro
    • 86 Camper GL
    • 86 Camper GL Syncro
    • 86 Publications
  • 1987
    • 87 Vanagon GL
    • 87 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 87 Wolfsburg Camper
    • 87 Wolfsburg Camper Syncro
    • 87 Camper GL
    • 87 Camper GL Syncro
    • 87 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 87 Publications
  • 1988
    • 88 Vanagon GL
    • 88 Camper GL
    • 88 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 88 Publications
  • 1989
    • 89 Vanagon GL
    • 89 Vanagon GL Syncro
    • 89 Camper GL
    • 89 Camper GL Syncro
    • 89 Vanagon Carat
    • 89 Vanagon GL WLE
    • 89 Publications
  • 1990
    • 90 Vanagon
    • 90 Vanagon Syncro
    • 90 Vanagon GL
    • 90 Camper GL
    • 90 Camper GL Syncro
    • 90 Vanagon Carat
    • 90 Vanagon Multivan
    • 90 Vanagon Carat WLE
    • 90 Publications
  • 1991
    • 91 Vanagon
    • 91 Vanagon Syncro
    • 91 Vanagon GL
    • 91 Camper GL
    • 91 Camper GL Syncro
    • 91 Vanagon Carat
    • 91 Vanagon Multivan
    • 91 Publications
  • VW Birth Certificates
  • Future Website Plans
  • Custom Vanagon Fun