The End Of The Line For A Classic Vehicle You Didn’t Know Still Existed

PJ Lifestyle ^ | August 30, 2013 | Chris Queen

[2ndDivisionVet]

During my middle school and early high school years, my family owned a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Van. We used to take it camping in the mountains or at Disney World, and it was as much fun as a conversation piece as it was as a vehicle. I wanted that vehicle for my own so badly, and my dad told me he’d give it to me when I turned 16. I imagined how great it would be to have a cool drink waiting for me in the icebox at the end of the day, and of course I knew it would be the perfect tailgate vehicle on fall Saturdays in Athens. Alas, my dad sold it when I was 15, and I never got to own one.

Volkswagen introduced the Type 2 (call it the Camper Van, Bus, Microbus, or Kombi if you want to) in 1950, and it was a fixture on American roads until 1967. Other countries held on to it longer, including Brazil, the last country to continue producing and selling them. Brazil began making the Kombi in 1957, an astounding record of longevity that, sadly, will end this New Year’s Eve, when the last van rolls off the assembly line.....

[Right Wing Assault]

I knew about it, but as you said, they didn’t all have it.

[morphing libertarian]

VW “Bus” basic van blue and white 1972.

Picked up our friends on the way home. He spilled a large orange julius that went down the ridged rubber mat and went back and forth as the car moved and stopped.

Nest summer took 5 adults, two kids and a baby from LA to Minneapolis and back. With luggage rack. 75-80 miles per hour on the flats. Engine blew with 27,000 miles. VW pro-rated even though my warranty had expired.

1978 driving to the airport from my home in Sacramento. Engine blew, 96,000 miles. Sold it to the mechanic for $600.

I loved the car, but I was hard on it.

[moovova]

72 blue and white also.

[WVKayaker]

Surprised none of you knew of the catalytic heater option from VW-Porsche.

Knowledge is one thing. Financial capability is another. I priced the heater to be installed (retro fit) and it was about $1100. I was working full time, going to school full time, and had nothing left for such a luxury.

My mom had a '60 Corvair. It had a gas heater, as well! It worked great, and came from the factory as standard equipment. But, such was not the case on the VW buses of the '60's and '70's!

I also owned a '63 356B, without the heater.

It's time for the Nationwide race, so my 'puter will be monitoring Racebuddy!

[kitchen]

Yes, the heater was a significant part of the price. All 5 of my VWs have been (well) used when I acquired them, and the only one with the heater was originally a school bus. Yup, other people's money, but with -50 and months with highs below zero it was probably the best decision the school district ever made.

Now the beetles, I never had any issue with heat. Annual R&R on the heater box cables and flappers and ensure the ducts were tight (Gene Berg has a great flex rubber replacement.) Helps to open the wing a bit for circulation, too.

Here's a heated bus y'all might like. Notice it is a real bus with the correct split windshield.