This is, I believe, a 1960s era Volkswagen type 2 transporter panel bus. It's not the prettiest VW bus that I've ever seen, but it sure was interesting. I've probably seen one of these before, but never since I've gotten my camera.
As I stated the other day in my Photo of the Day (POTD - VW Bus), I was turning into a strip mall and when I saw this bus pass me, I followed it instead.
I needed the photo.
I needed to see it up close.
I was stalking an orange bus.
Is there an app for that??
The front seat was a long bench with a baby car seat in the passenger side and on the driver's side the steering column came right up out of the floor! The steering wheel wasn't completely perpendicular to the column, but almost. I had no idea. I was going to take a photo of the inside, but I thought that I might be going a bit too far in my desire to document my stalking of this vehicle.
As I'm talking to my husband about this panel bus he tells me that he drove one of these, although one with more windows. Oh, the truth comes out - he said that he actually purchased the bus for $45 when he was in prep school in New Hampshire. He took it on one short road trip with some friends and on the way back, the bus wouldn't make it up the hills anymore, so they abandonded it and walked back to school, about 4 or 5 miles. No wonder why he originally told me he only drove it - he hardly owned it long enough to consider it his!
This is a Sunday Drive in my city. What's going on in yours?
Head on over to Unknown Mami's for Sundays in my City.
Have a great day!
Kristin
My confession: I want one of these vans SO bad. I love them!
ReplyDeleteCool shots of the orange VW bus. They must be getting popular as I have seen a few in the last year. I think I have even gotten a few shot of them, will have to check my archives. Have a great Sunday!
ReplyDeleteGreat stalking. When I see a bus like this and immediately think 'Scooby Doo' and crazy adventures, perhaps your hubby did too!
ReplyDeleteYou're a good stalker. These are really fun pictures. I'd love to ride in one of those.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Fisherhubby ALSO drove one of these with more windows and his was all tricked out as a "party van" in the back - - - - some things are better left in the past. Hehehehehe
ReplyDeletePerhaps you remember my stalking of THIS one:
http://keethastuff.blogspot.com/2009/08/thrifty-vintage-thingies-woodstock.html
lol, on your husbands story! THis is a VERY cool ol bus :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent pics - I just love the orange bus!
ReplyDeleteThat is one seriously cool bus! I love the color too..lol
ReplyDeleteThis bus cries out to make a pilgrimage to the land of eccentricity, like New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteThat's still a pretty awesome looking VW bus. Love the color.
ReplyDeleteThese days I bet they cost way more than $45 :-)
Happy SIMC, jj
That's a great bus! My son would love that for a project car. I'd even loan him the $45.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable van.
ReplyDeleteYAY! I love the old VW's! I once owned a yellow squareback. Loved that car. It was a piece of crap, but I loved it. The van my parents owned died in Portland Oregon - as in burst into flames. Quite the sad ending to such a cute vehicle. And by the way, I love your husband's story!
ReplyDeleteA boyfriend of mine had one and the poor thing had such difficulty with hills, which is not a good thing in S.F.
ReplyDeleteWere your ears burning yesterday? When I saw Mrs. 4444 she brought up that she took pictures of doors that you would really like.
Hi Goat!
ReplyDeleteA VW friend sent this to me today. This is my 1959 bus. The paint is called Gaytor Hater Orange(LOL j/k), I will be repainting it back to the original light grey color soon.
It is originialy from New Mexico and is actually very rust free. I also own a 1958 Porsche 356, a 1958VW pick up truck and a 1965 VW Deluxe bus. Who needs A/C in their car in Florida? or seatbelts for that matter....
The past 10 years the market for these early buses has appreciated faster as a percent than my 1958 Porsche. One exceptional example recently recently sold for $200K+. CRAZY$! Unlike the guy from New Hampshire & his $45 bus, a bus like this is worth 7K to 10K in the present condition.
Additionally, the bus is slammed(lowered) & bottoms out on pot holes and speed bumps. You really have to pay attention to drive a vehicle this low. On the plus side, top speed can hit 70+mph versus 55mph if it were still stock.
I really enjoyed your POD and all the comments that were posted. I look forward to reading up on your Blog & POS.
All the best,
Mark