VW Bus Question

[HobieMarty]

My late brother-in-law had a VW bus that was a camper. I can not remember what model year it was, but it was a T2 with a flat front end, and it was red and white. I was looking at some busses on eBay and noticed that some have the split window type of front, and some have the flat front but are the same year model, so what gives? Did VW make both styles at the same time, and if so, why???
Example,
both of these VWs are listed as 1973 models.

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[otto_kretschmer]

maybe the old model was built in Brazil or Mexico?

[Racerbvd]

[/QUOTE]Yes, VW did. They sell both, here is how and why.
There is a few of these Brazilian buses locally.

VW Buses (kombi buses) started skyrocketing in value a little over a decade ago. We saw restored buses going for six figures (one went for $212k in 2012) more and more. This facilitated the rise of the Brazilian VW Kombi as people in Brazil realized they were sitting on a gold mine. This is because in 1967, VW planned to make the new bay window bus and shipped all parts for the split window bus to Brazil to continue the splitty’s production until 1975 (see my blog entry on the history of the VW bus in Brazil). Simply put, this is why there were so many split window buses in Brazil.
Because of that large supply of split window buses, along with a new found strong demand for said buses not only in the US but all across Europe (especially in Germany and the U.K.), we saw many people in Brazil capitalize on this new market.Brazilians are a wonderful group of people with a wonderful culture (I spend quite a lot of time in Brazil) but one aspect of that culture is that they will cut corners to get ahead.In Brazilian business culture, you are considered smart and clever.This is the root of where some folks gave Brazilian buses a bad reputation.
As someone who helps clients import VW Kombis, I’m hear to tell you that this bad reputation is often true.I’d estimate a little over half of the buses that Brazilians send to the US, Europe and around the world, have shortcuts all over them.Most notably is the liberal use of bondo.Bondo is used to smooth out body surfaces, holes and other defects in the body work.Used on small areas it can be an effective tool for an auto body shop.But too often, Brazilians use it in liberal doses covering rust and larger areas where they should just replace the whole panel with spec formed sheet metal.
Aside from this corner cutting, Brazilians will indeed try to take advantage anywhere they can, from the negotiating process to the length of the restoration.If there is a way to eke out more profit, they’ll make it happen.I’ve seen these exporter have the kombi almost complete but they then send the customer an invoice on extra work that was needed.
So knowing all of this, why would you buy a Brazilian bus?Well, if you can take advantage of the lower prices (Brazilian kombis are a fraction of the price for a German bus) AND feel confident in YOUR bus’ restoration quality, it comes out to a great investment and you get all the joy and satisfaction that the owner of a bus that was manufactured in a German VW factory instead of a Brazilian VW factory.
And this is where the VW Bus Guy team can help.We give you piece of mind that you have an American company not only holding your hand throughout the process, but also holding the suppliers we use in Brazil for the restoration process accountable.You will be able to see the entire process documented as well as have me or someone from my team overseeing the operation in person.
We are not the only outfit bringing kombis into the US and Europe. There are dozens of outfits run by Brazilians that are less expensive. Many are great people that are great to do business with. But too many will put lipstick on a pig or just advertise kombis that are on the US equivalent of Craigslist giving you the impression that they own that bus. When in reality, the bus could have any number of issues. In this model, they not only charge you but charge the seller for buying their bus. Working with VW Bus Guy costs a little more but the comfort of knowing you won’t be taken advantage of is worth the small premium.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1975-volkswagen-type-2-split-window-camper-has-some-tricks-up-its-sleeve-185573.html

We use to have one of the most knowledgeable people on VW buses as a member here, not sure if he is still around.

[ryans65]

Any real german split bus is only up to 67, anything later than that is a brazilian made split window and typically beat up garbage with a nice coat of paint on it. There's a ton of differences big and small that differentiate between german/ brazilian but to most they all look the same at a glance.

[HobieMarty]

Okay, I had never come across that before, so I was curious as to why some of the older style split window busses could be the same model year as a newer flat front model. My late brother-in-law's was a flat front camper, and it was a 70-something model, my Sister doesn't remember the year. We had a blast in that thing, her name was Ethel and we called it " Metal Ethel". I remember writing Metal Ethel with my finger in the dirtiness on the back one time, and it was still there years later after he sold it. So, if you are ever around Ft Walton Beach and you see an old red and white VW camper bus that is missing the rear bumper and says Metal Ethel on the back, that would be it.

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[911boost]

Did his have a pop top? They made tin tops as well as the pop top Westfalias's (there were a few other branded campers based on the 70's busses but they are more rare). The pop top was available on the bay window buses from 1968-79. They continued with the Vanagon.

Mine was a 1978, so the pop top was higher in the front, the earlier ones (pre 74) the back was higher than the front.

[HobieMarty]

It had the pop top, but I can not remember which way it opened. I only saw it opened once. I never camped in it, but we went all over in that bus, and it was our party wagon.

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[billybek]

That is cool. I never knew the splits were made so late down south.

[Alan A]

I saw the title and thought this was about the new one. Was going to post this to give you all a good laugh…

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDm2gIkyKVF/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=72d908b2-e3e9-44f9-b43b-7b867cb6a17c

Our local dealer is advertising a ridiculous $25,000 markup on their one ID. Buzz 1st Edition. This amounts to a $2,575/month lease (plus tax).

MSRP: $72,815
Selling Price: $97,815
Residual Value: $41,505
Money Factor: .00346
VCI Lease Incentive: ($7,500)
Sales tax: 9.5%

I can lease a 911 for that $.

[HobieMarty]

My how the times have changed.

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[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by billybek

That is cool. I never knew the splits were made so late down south.

You can actually buy every single panel to build a brand new Splitty.
Sonjay (Gary Stratton) here on the Bird Board, son Jason is one of the top VW bus restorers in the Country, has had multiple builds in the Top VW magazines

https://youtu.be/RzpGD7MVsB0


https://youtu.be/VM5PF7SL_TY









He has even built a completely new bus from the parts available .

A long was from my old bus.

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Byron is Gary still building ducktail rear lids ? When I lived in Orlando I knew he was quite busy with those . Cool that his son is doing the VW's .