The end of VW buses....

[konadog]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/last-vw-ca ... -1.2481578

[White Mule]

Truly a sad day. I had a 1976 green westy (Heidi) followed by a 1971 yield sigh yellow westy (Mule). Many many stories that went with each vehicle. I don't miss freezing and smelling like gasoline however!
Thanks for posting.

[konadog]

I hada 71 - I reckon that was the best year...

[CREGAN]

Sad indeed. I love the old bays and splits because they have soul. I have a Westy, but it is an 85. I know it is not the same as the originals but it is very similar in that it has a very underpowered rear engine and a lot of soul. I love that thing so much for many of the same reasons that the older buses are so popular. It is a member of our family and I can't imagine not having it. Plus I have plans to keep it around for a few more decades at least- a Subaru engine swap is on the horizon.

Mirrors Awning 003-Optimized.jpg (50.49 KiB) Viewed 6445 times

Craig

[glenn]

I had a 71 when I was 17 - I loved that van. yes, they truly are the best.

Speaking of subaru engines in vanagons (which are much closer in spirit to the old buses than L400s are to L300s), here is an interesting read:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventu ... heart.html

[CREGAN]

Very interesting read- and then when I got to the price I nearly dropped a brick! That price is amazing! I wonder how much it would cost to ship my van to that guy... probably cheaper than the cost of doing it here.

Comparing L400's to L300's is apples to oranges- it has been established. But I can pick up my kids from soccer and buy groceries a lot faster than you!

I think MY L400 has soul. Not a very cool or funky one but it is still there. I can tell by the way people drop everything and stare like I am driving an alien spaceship/ parade float, and then ask me if I realize I am driving on the wrong side of the vehicle.

Craig

[glenn]

I just meant that all the pre eurovan VWs are closely related - I love dem L400s

Now, if you could stick a subaru engine into my L300, then I'd be happy.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Comparing L400's to L300's is apples to oranges- it has been established. But I can pick up my kids from soccer and buy groceries a lot faster than you!

Hahahahahaha!!!!!

As much as I believe that Mitsubishi reached absolute perfection in the latter half of 1992, I gotta say that the Space Gear has lots of character. I've heard the two wagons referred as "brick vs bun" or "special lunch box on wheels vs suppository" &c., but when I look at a Starwagon I see a little pot belly pig where with the Space Gear I see a mischievous monkey. Gotta love the Japanese designer's adoration for japanimation.

I don't think that the days of the micro bus are over ~ it's one of those cults that probably have a special place in heaven where everyone drives around, camps and goes to celestial rock festivals. My favourite VW bus are the split window ones.





Falco.

[philmeup1]

I owned 7 VW Bus Campers before I bought my Mitsu L300. I loved them all. But after touring around the east coast for a month in my last one, a '79 Westy, I had enough. Blowing around like a leaf in the wind. Zero power (and that's with the proper 2 Litre fuel injected engine) All the Noise in the cabin while driving.... I just gave up.

Man it sucks getting old:(

[Rattlenbang]

My favourite was my 1980 westy I painted in zebra stripes like a safari wagon. it was an air cooled pig, but what a cool vehicle, like from another era. Everything was old school antiquated about it, and pushing a Vanagon Westy with 65 hp was such craziness. I did so much rebuilding and restoration, and yet it refused to be a reliable vehicle. Even new parts would blow after 6 months, like the new Bosch coil that left me stranded on the side of the road at night in the rain. Getting old means that kinda stuff just isn't fun anymore. The interiors though were a perfect compromise of space and utility. I put a Suby engine in my son's van, but it still gives him headaches.

[Antigonish medic]

Sad day, but I won't miss the constant need to rebuild the top end.

I had three and don't think I will ever have a better camper. Even the Deli, which is far better mechanically, doesn't have the feel of space inside will be hard to beat. I was raised in a VW westy, and had one 72 transporter with a camper interior, (Toaster). It got pulverized by a Ford F 250 while parked on the side of the street. The replacement. A 73 westy named Stella, took it cross continental and rebuilt it... Twice. The last was Foxy, the last of the aircooled, a 81 westy. Took it to Mexico and back, rebuilt it in Oaxaca with Jesus the mechanic.

Great memories, but every time it put the key into the ignition, I would say a pray to the VW gods. Think I still have a copy of how to keep you VW alive forever... Love the intro. "Whatever has happened, has already happened" or something like that. I still think of that when attending as Paramedic. Something similar to owning a VW aircooled bus to working as a Paramedic, 90% boring, 10% shear panic.

Adam.

[Rattlenbang]

Sad day, but I won't miss the constant need to rebuild the top end.

I had three and don't think I will ever have a better camper. Even the Deli, which is far better mechanically, doesn't have the feel of space inside will be hard to beat. I was raised in a VW westy, and had one 72 transporter with a camper interior, (Toaster). It got pulverized by a Ford F 250 while parked on the side of the street. The replacement. A 73 westy named Stella, took it cross continental and rebuilt it... Twice. The last was Foxy, the last of the aircooled, a 81 westy. Took it to Mexico and back, rebuilt it in Oaxaca with Jesus the mechanic.

Great memories, but every time it put the key into the ignition, I would say a pray to the VW gods. Think I still have a copy of how to keep you VW alive forever... Love the intro. "Whatever has happened, has already happened" or something like that. I still think of that when attending as Paramedic. Something similar to owning a VW aircooled bus to working as a Paramedic, 90% boring, 10% shear panic.

Adam.

Amen! And one of the few things I think lacking in the Mistubishi: memories of rebuilding the engine at the side of the road in Sedona, Arizona.