ENCINO : 3 to Head for Arctic Circle in ’67 VW Van

Sharing a streak of adventurism and zest for the unknown, three young men are planning to leave tonight on a 4,200-mile expedition from Encino to the Arctic Circle in a vintage 1967 Volkswagen camper van.

“With a new car, you’re sure you’ll make it, but with an old car, the challenge is making it,” was the explanation given by Matthew Gossin, 25, when asked about the group’s choice of tour vehicle.

Gossin, Blue Nelson and Jean-Ray Tippo plan to shove off from Nelson’s home after a bon voyage party attended by an expected 75 friends and family members. The trio figures it will take them a week and a half to get to the 66th Parallel by way of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, and finally, Alaska.

For Nelson, 25, the trip is a chance not only to fulfill his love of exotic travel, but also to explore a dimension of his favorite hobby--restoring vintage German cars. He owns 14 Volkswagens, Porsches and German hand-built cars in various stages of repair.

“VWs were the most popular vehicles in the ‘60s,” the russet-haired aspiring filmmaker said. “It’s my duty as an enthusiast to keep that spirit alive on the roads.”

Nelson bought the van about a year ago and has been renovating it ever since. The car enthusiast claims that the hunter green and white van is one of only 100 converted by the English company, Dormobile, which was authorized by Volkswagen to convert its passenger vans into campers.

The 1967 model is prized by collectors because it is the only model that has both a 12-volt electrical system--insuring reliability--and charming old-model design features, including a split windshield and double cargo doors, Nelson said.

The top of the van pops up, allowing passengers to walk around unimpeded or to set up the two stowed cots. A bench seat converts into a third bed. Other features installed by Dormobile include safari windows--hinged windshields that open out--louvered side windows and a mini-stove tucked into its own cabinet.

In revamping the vehicle, Nelson said, he preserved as many of the original features as possible, including the orange-plaid upholstery and the radio. As much as possible, he strove to add only those items that would uphold the integrity of the van, such as the 1967 dashboard clock and the side-mounted Bavarian bud vases.

The chance for adventure also inspired Gossin, a free-lance film editor who lives in Hollywood, and Tippo, 23, a Northridge resident who hopes to begin a career as a stockbroker or financial analyst, to make the trip. Tippo is a childhood friend of Nelson, and Gossin studied film with Nelson at USC.

The biggest challenge of the trip, Nelson and Gossin predict, will be living harmoniously in cramped quarters and through difficult terrain for the next few weeks.

“It’s one thing to travel and fly together,” Nelson said. “It’s another thing to chip in when things go wrong, help share cooking duties and live within a 15-foot-long space.”