911 conversion of a 63 doublecab

john walker's workshop · 07-02-2003, 05:50 PM

the new shop truck/daily driver. just got it running and driving last friday. 87 3.2 w/webers, welded in a 73 911 rear torsion tube in place of the bus tube, then the 915 trans and rear suspension bolts right up. SC front brakes, 76 19mm m/cyl, rack and pinion steering, narrowed adjustable front beam. goes like stink. the engine lid is out getting some louvres punched in.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

very cool nice rims.

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

nice! def. a chick magnet.

joe 68 L

p.s. put jerry back on your signature thing under your name!

makaio · 07-02-2003, 06:08 PM

That's the coolest thing I've seen all week! JW your a very crafty man.

Adam · Adam's Garage

Haha. That'd be a great daily driver! I can imagine it does some serious ego-bashing!

Any more news on the Bugster?

john walker's workshop · 07-02-2003, 06:50 PM

i haven't raced but a few fools yet, but i'm sure they were surprised. i basically got tired of everyone absolutely needing to pass me just because of the "never get behind a vw bus" thing. then they would cut in front with inches to spare and slow down. no more of that crap.

Moses · 07-02-2003, 06:55 PM

Are you gonna get one of those Porsche-Volkswagen deck emblems? That would be cool. Might also discourage the casual passing.

island911 · 07-02-2003, 07:01 PM

"no more of that crap."

Priceless!

I wouldn't be surprised if that has better HP/weight than a stock Carrera.

Man that engine is shoe-horned in there.

Amazing!

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Ironically, I found this Ferdinand Piech quote recently regarding his decision to build the 917 after getting trounced too many times in the 3L 908 ......

"Nicht mehr dieses Crap!"

Doug Zielke · 07-02-2003, 07:23 PM

I was fortunate enough to be in JW's shop at the start of this project.
I got to see John fab some of the more difficult parts of the conversion.
Truly awesome work, John!

Now then, wouldn't this be the coolest vehicle to take to the SCWDP Round-Up?....hint....hint!

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Beautiful.

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

Nice work John, Brings back memories. I had a 62 15 window Van when I was 19. I'll never forget my trip to Lake Tahoe.
I think you can pull the motor in one in about 10 Min?

Did you find a 23 window ?

speeder · 07-02-2003, 09:32 PM

Very cool, John. That ought to keep up w/ traffic.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Cool! I'd love to see pix of the details of the conversion. I already have pix of other buses with 911 engines on my site.

I've considered putting a 912 engine in my 61 double cab, but right now the poor truck needs so much other work... And nobody's gettin' nuthin' until the garage is done

There's a guy here in town with a '54 VW bus and he used to have a 2.xL turbocharged VW 4-cylinder in it, which could keep up with my 911 up to about 70 or so.

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

Nice!!!

Without a doubt. You've diffenently got the nicest toys I've seen.

jhelgesen · 07-03-2003, 04:42 AM

John,

Can you share any info on the front brake conversion you did?

I've got a 73 westy "shop truck" I'd like to upgrade and have some extra parts around.

jstgermaine · jstgermaine's Garage

JW you are the MAN!!!

greenmonster · 07-03-2003, 05:53 AM

Wow, I've seen a couple of 911 engines in vanagons/baywindow buses, but most used the stock rear suspension.

Welding in the 911 torsion tube is a neat solution to getting more porsche hardware in there

david c. · 07-03-2003, 05:59 AM

We just got out 76 Westy to run a few weeks ago (not with a 911 engine, unfortunately). New tires just arrived from Tire Rack so we'll be taking up the "awfully-slow-VW-bus-slack" on the road created by JW's monster.

John, it looks great. Congrats.

Superman · 07-03-2003, 06:41 AM

I saw this project a few weeks ago, and am glad to see it's completion. a screaming 230 hp Transporter gives me more than just a chuckle. I'm quite anxious to see a completed Bugster. It will certainly be disappointing if that project loses momentum. Remember? Mid-engine six-cylinder Beetle Cabriolet with carbs. Horizontal rear coilovers. That'll be one of the world's coolest cars when it's completed. Two cars that should appear in a magazine are Bugster and BB2.

Tyson told me very early on, that I need to get to know JW. He was certainly right about that. Definitely my kind of mechanic. The paraphrase that comes to mind is a familiar one. "Excellence is expected."