ooooh....microbus.

jthw8 · April 22, 2008, 05:12:21 PM

No not that microbus. *this* microbus

At least its aircooled. Im wondering if I can sqeeze a VW motor in there....

After my friend who sent me the ad found out I got it he commented "I feel so bad, I should have realized this was the same as telling an alcoholic that one more drink won't hurt"

Automotive ADD strikes again.
At least now the smart has a friend.

scarecrow · April 22, 2008, 05:54:59 PM

Ones too many & a thousand are'nt enough s#r ....OK inquireing minds want to know :icon_study:

jthw8 · April 22, 2008, 06:00:25 PM

Quote from: scarecrow on April 22, 2008, 05:54:59 PM
Ones too many & a thousand are'nt enough s#r ....OK inquireing minds want to know :icon_study:

1968 Subaru 360 Van. 2cyl aircooled rear mount engine.
It was dirt cheap (because its trying to return to the dirt) but actually its pretty solid, just alot of surface rust. Hasnt run in years but I may not even try to ressurect the stock motor, Im trying to find the details but I know Ive heard of these being converted to aircooled VW motors, failing that it may just get a large motorcyle engine.

Its just a hair over 9 ft long and can be transported in the back of a full size pickup truck. (oooh, Id love to see one of these parked in the back of a T2 Singlecab)

jthw8 · April 22, 2008, 08:52:45 PM

And for those who cant truly grasp how small it is, here's some photos of it making my smart look downright big.

Bugaru "JAY" · April 22, 2008, 09:39:58 PM

Jim.
Thats one $61$ little truck. If you decide to part with it let us know? Since it's small maybe it would be in Jacks small price range and he could make a Wee-Camper out of it. That way maybe he could get a camper and also keep Black Beauty.

Jay

jthw8 · April 22, 2008, 09:42:57 PM

Quote from: Bugaru on April 22, 2008, 09:39:58 PM
Jim.
Thats one $61$ little truck. If you decide to part with it let us know? Since it's small maybe it would be in Jacks small price range and he could make a Wee-Camper out of it. That way maybe he could get a camper and also keep Black Beauty.

Jay

it would be a very little camper....Jack would have to

with his legs hanging out the back hatch ;)

Did I miss something, where did Jack's burning desire for a camper come from?

Bugaru "JAY" · April 22, 2008, 09:50:44 PM

Not sure, but he's been saying more, and more that he's always wanted a nice V_dub Camper and wants to enjoy camping again. Wish I knew because I've seen a few decent ones sell resonably. Keep an :clipboard_50x50: open for one. But I still think that yours would make a cute Wee-Camper. Does it come with a can opener gifsawsall

jthw8 · April 22, 2008, 09:56:55 PM

I dont blame him, I love campers.
On the rally last year when we stopped at Juanitas home of VW parts she had a very solid 65 pop up camper that I want soooo bad. Im trying to talk the team into a visit on the way down again this year and work on her a bit more. I think it would be a great one for Jack.

On that note, are we looking for a baywindow or split or doesnt matter? I'll keep my eyes open.

Bugaru "JAY" · April 22, 2008, 09:59:52 PM

Not sure maybe Jack will chim in on his wish list and we can all keep and :clipboard_50x50: open

Beetleboi -Greg- · April 22, 2008, 11:10:02 PM

Hey Jim I thought you passed me the other day. By the time I got my phone out to take a picture the woman driving it was gone... or do they have a teleport option?

Cool micro bus, any idea how heavy it is? Any trouble finding parts for it?

3Gear · April 23, 2008, 08:59:18 AM

Hey, I bet if we pulled out the rear seats we could stuff a V8 in it.... drive&&

njgt-1 · April 23, 2008, 10:45:15 AM

QuoteHey, I bet if we pulled out the rear seats we could stuff a V8 in it....

Where is Mike C. when you need him??

Hey that thing would haul with even a slightly warmed over Vdub engine. I bet a nice 1776 would turn that bus into a screamer.Would make one helluva drag car! Can't weigh much but with that short wheelbase I'd think it would be a handfull on a hard launch.

jthw8 · April 23, 2008, 01:03:45 PM

alot of measuring and thinking to do. I have a SBF and 5 speed but I think its just too long for the chassis. A bike motor would be the best fit but I like the idea of be power.

njgt-1 · April 23, 2008, 01:47:32 PM

QuoteI have a SBF and 5 speed but I think its just too long for the chassis

I'd think that setup would need major frame fabrication just to keep the front & back in one piece. Now if the width across is close to a vw I'd bet it would be possible to swap out the rear of a vw pan with the rear tranny hornes & tortion bars. Then you would only have the width to worry about and with a set of wheels with lots of offset you could save a couple of inches or just flare the fenders.

There was a guy at Englishtown last year racing a Fiat ( don't know the # ) with a Vdub powertrain. The car was about 2/3s the size of a beetle and really hauled. Don't think he was working with much more room than the subie bus.

jthw8 · April 23, 2008, 06:29:44 PM

Quote from: njgt-1 on April 23, 2008, 01:47:32 PM
Now if the width across is close to a vw

Not even close. I havent measured yet but rough guesstimate says the axles would stick out at least 6 inches per side. Also there isnt enough room in back for a traditional VW layout, if I do go VW I will flip it to mid engine like a formula car. Either way its going to need alot of frame fabrication for just about anything (except a motorcycle motor)

I think the V8 is just plain overkill and its really too long to fit.....I just like the pure insanity of it all ;)