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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 11,239
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Early VW Bus Info
I find myself camping at least once a month now that my son is in the Scouts. I am looking for some minimalist trailer or RV. I started with teardrops, but the old little ones are collectible and expensive, and the new ones are big and expensive(T@B).
So no I'm looking at buses. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between an SO 22, 33 or 44? What is SO? Also, can any of the old buses with the gear reductions drive at decent freeway speeds? Can they be made safe? Finally, what was the advantage of having a hatch in the roof? How about that little 2 foot square pop-up - is that just for standing up? Any info would be appreciated.
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David 1972 911T/S MFI Survivor |
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04-08-2008, 01:03 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 1,646
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I'm a novice when it comes to VW's.....My son and I are building a rail-buggy with a very mild 1600cc motor and I have gained knowledge on various VW sites, but the one that I recommend is www.thesamba.com/vw
I also recommend that you go to a few VW type events (i.e. car shows). We went to a VW event a few weeks ago and we learned more about VWs during the day than anything I could have picked-up on the web. Good Luck!
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2015 GLK (Momma's ride) 2016 F-250 2001 BMW M5 65 CSX 427 Roadster |
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04-08-2008, 04:04 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: cutler bay
Posts: 15,141
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look at post 1970 buses ONLY they will get out of their own way
the early ones will not and the prices are NUTS too how the little hamster breaks the transfer case gears I never understood but they sure do break in a bus that willnot go over 45mph without a downhill AND a tailwind |
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04-08-2008, 05:49 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 5,733
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I've been thinking about one of these too. Honest question. Are they really usable on the highway? I see prices all over the place, what a decent/running bus worth? Now what about on the east coast?
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04-08-2008, 07:05 PM
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AutoBahned
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a big topic -- Vanagons are a LOT safer than the early ones
Vanagon = brick; early rounded ones = bread loaf The first year of the sodium cooled valves on the pancake motors was a disaster... was that '72? The last year of the upright motored ones was the best early motor. Many people put Subaru motors in them... THom knows everything about these... I have had a strong desire to buy a camper (Weltie) for decades (ever since I sold my old one). They are like Paradise -- WHEN THEY ARE STOPPED. They are like HELL -- when they are moving. Google and you'll find some very detailed devotee web sites. These are all cult vehicles, just like ours are. |
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04-08-2008, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 9,103
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I had a '64 camper, a '67 bus, and a '70 camper. The '64 had a 1500 motor. I drove all of them on the highway and used them to camp in. At the time I loved them. The '70 was much better than the '64 & '67 in terms of drivability. I eventually bought something newer, bigger and not VW and decided I'd never go back to a VW because the VWs had much worse brakes, suspension, handling, and power.
The one I liked best was my old '89 Ford Club wagon. It was plenty large enough for camping and hauling lots of stuff, had good power brakes, power steering, AC, etc. etc. (what luxury !) I loved it more. It had the old, iron, 4.9L inline six. Got terible mileage, but had around 250K miles on it when I sold it and ran great. If you want to putt around and look retro, an old VW would be OK. If you actually want to go someplace, have much more interior room and hauling capacity and a safer vehicle, get something else.
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Marv Evans '69 911E |
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04-08-2008, 09:14 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Boston
Posts: 294
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I had a '66, a '71, and a '73.
The 66-67 splits had a 1500 motor that will get you up to 60 or 65 on the flat. I never had trouble with the transfer cases. I think '71 is the best year of all. 1600 dual-port motor and disc brakes. Older and you get the drums. Newer and you get the troublesome pancake motors.  "Can they be made safe?" Absolutely. Don't drive them. |
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04-09-2008, 02:08 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Naples,FL
Posts: 3,469
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If I wanted a camping vehicle I would go with a 4x4 full size van:
http://www.thundersgarage.com/4byvans.html Looks towards the bottom of the page. The build is on pirate4x4.com. I think this would be 10 times more functional and reliable and about 1/2 the cost. |
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04-09-2008, 03:27 AM
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Too big to fail
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Scheiße! The reply I typed up last night didn't show up!
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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04-09-2008, 06:02 AM
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I agree with what has been said here so far, if it were me, and I was looking for something to use camping on a regualr basis, I would look for a Synchro Vanagon Westy. One fo the guys that works in my building has one, and it is sweet, otherwise, i agree with the bay window reccomendation. I had a 1978 in college, and we did end up having problems with the valves. It did make more than one long road trip though, and they are fun to drive.
The older ones are super cool, but $$$$$ right now... Bill |
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04-09-2008, 06:43 AM
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