VW Bus in my future...

DO IT! Those are awsome vans, we have wanted one for years. Forget the Subabaroo engine and dump a Porche 911 engine in one, It'll sound like a bus but you'll almost pull the front wheels off the ground

 

Oh I will. The SWMBO said so! I remember something about the 911's that they had some built-in design problem. Do you recall anything about that?

I did read that a 944 or 926 are considered better engines, today.

 

Tedy, I really got inspired when I saw this guy (our age), hand-building his own aircraft from scratch, on a modest income. Have a look at how he makes his own sheetmetal parts on the cheap. Plus all the other bits that went into building this little plane. Awesome, simple. Cars may have a few extra systems, but there's a lot more info, and fewer DOT specs to pass.
http://mthobby.pcperfect.com/ch601/index.htm

If he can do this, I can build a car my way:
http://mthobby.pcperfect.com/ch601/events_projects.htm

EDIT: Made his own Press from wood and other benders and rivetters!
http://mthobby.pcperfect.com/ch601/chtools.htm

Scan all his pages. A real treat.

 

I owned three sedans, a Ghia, and 4 Kombis, as they were called in Europe back in the day.
The oldest I had was a '57, the newest was a '64.
My favorite one, even though it suffered badly from the previously mentioned rust worms, was the '57. It had windows all around (but not in the roof) rear doors on BOTH sides, and my favorite feature of all- the 'safari windshield.'
It swung open from the bottom, and could be locked in any position with a big chrome wing nut. Since I live in the subtropics, ventilation is more important to me than heat.
I never owned a factory made camper, although my '64 had some salvaged pieces from one.
All my type twos featured the anemic, but bulletproof 1200 cc 40 HP engine.
Easy and cheap to rebuild, and with reasonable care, they will stand a lot of abuse.
Just be sure when the little red light comes on, you shut 'er down immediately and put on your spare fan belt (never leave home without one!)
I mentioned the heater above.
NONE.
And with no warm engine in front of you, and numerous air leaks, It'll be way too cold inside for you to drive in the winter unless you plan to wear a snowmobile suit.
I loved every air cooled VW I owned, as well as the one my first wife had (A '72 or a '74) when we got married.
Good luck on your project. These are probably the most unique station wagons around.

 

Oil leaks. Bad ones.
Same engine as the VW 411 (four a lemon)
Otherwise, I can't remember anything seriously negative.

 

Used to have a 1960 Barndoor Walk-thru VW van(that means it has six doors,three on each side)(BUT,before I got it,it had been rolled three times and all three doors on the driver's side didn't work)I swear,I could feel it leaning over while making turns.You will probably want to find a 70's or 80's version.Older ones ARE cooler and cooler looking,but they are fewer and farther between.And,I'm not so sure they come with lots of seats,the older they get.Certainly not seating for six.Five at the very most.The rear engine compartment makes for NO third row of seats.

 

Photo of third row seats on the 'big window' aircooled type II from "little Miss Sunshine": http://boxwish.com/features/view/67-the-volkswagen-type-2-microbus-in-little-miss-sunshine

Earlier version with all the toys (and a third row of seats): http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/VW_Type_2_001.JPG

The clouds of time........

 

Thanks guys. Good info to have.

Wouldn't be a winter ride, around here at least. We've already got one deep-freeze.

 

Just in case you haven't found it yet, here's a link that'll help you out when/if you buy a Kombi:http://www.thesamba.com/
I found it here:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/068590.html

 

You need one of these

 

Purchase cost on a split-window ('67 and prior) is going to prohibative, unless you find someone who's been a hermit-type (in which case their bus will be low miles, but full of holes...)

I suggest a compromise - get a later model (don't know what the nickname for them is) from '68 - '74. Although prices are rising, they're still fairly reasonable. They can also be updated easier with better brakes, etc.......

 

Pop wheels at idle!!!

She's a hard-drivin' woman, but I wanna keep her around.

 

That's what I've been thinking too. The next time I get a chance, I'm gonna talk to one of my In-laws and tell him what to look for in Mexico.

 

For the record:
Any Bus produced through February, 1955. The term Barndoor is credited to Jeff Walters and is in reference to the large decklid found on those vehicles. Barndoor Type 2's can also be recognized by the lack of an overhead fresh air vent over the windshield, 16 inch rims, the lack of full dash on non-deluxe models, non-opening rear window hatch (a few exceptions); not to mention miscellaneous switches, latches, seats and body panels that are unique to the Barndoor bus and no other. The term is often mistakenly used to refer to the 2 cargo doors on the side of a Bus.


A walk-through model bus is equipped with two individual front seats, rather than a bench style seat. This allows you to "walk-through" to the passenger/cargo area. This model is often equipped with a shorter 2/3 length middle seat that allows you to access the rear seat as well. The shorter middle seat is a different Bus model (as opposed to another option) so not all walk-thru front seat Buses are guaranteed to have a short middle seat. The walk-through option was a standard option from 1958-onward, although there are a few earlier examples. Most '58-'59 walk-through Buses that have survived are Panelvans. Walk-thru Buses have the spare tire mounted on the rear deck in a recessed compartment. 1967 and earlier walk-throughs use a unique lugnut to hold the spare tire in place.
Front seats
Rear of front seats
and spare tire area
Short center seat

I own and have owned many early VW's. Depending on the year, model and options, you could have seating for 9, 8 or 7.

The front seats can come as a bench, 1/3-2/3 or walk-thru.
You can get a short or full length middle seat, and all of them have a rear seat.

You can get a Kombi which has the seats, but only has interior panels up front. A standard has the seats and all the interior panels but lacks the chrome and extra windows that come on a deluxe. A deluxe can come with or without the sunroof and skylight windows, and both a Kombi and standard could come with a sunroof.

Depending on the year and model you could have 11,13,15,21 or 23 windows.

If you need help finding one, I would be more than happy to help.

 

Hey stormin' you're a better man than I. Renos' as well as a 'bus' build!!:You_Rock_Emoticon:
I'm having a hard time just trying to reno