Vehicle Description
Is there any vehicle with as many stories to tell as the VW
Microbus? Camper, transporter, pickup truck, house on wheels, tour
guide, whatever it is, the VW bus has done it. This 1968 Volkswagen
bus is just a wonderful way to grab all of that history and keep it
for yourself, all wrapped in a familiar yet surprisingly stylish
body.
A vintage VW resto shop has obviously lavished a lot of time and
attention on this bus and the results are very impressive. It's
definitely low-key with its serious gray and white paint scheme,
but the paint is fresh, deep and all-around great. Note the clean,
unadorned lines accentuated not by graphics or art but by
laser-straight bodywork and deep, shiny paintwork that only comes
from pros doing their thing. The two-tone combination is quite
period-correct and gives the bus a jaunty appearance despite the
more somber colors. Other things like the painted bumpers and big
chrome VW emblem in the center are trademarks that VW faithful can
recognize from a mile away and a canvas sunroof up top makes it as
bright and airy inside as you'd expect. Tinted glass also provides
a modicum of privacy as well as adding to the sleek look that makes
the VW so special.
The interior is really where these vehicles shine. Totally
restored, it offers great colors and basic accommodations for
passengers, but the style is impressive. The bright orange
upholstery is a wonderful contrast to the gray exterior and the
original-style vinyl will last practically forever. Proper side
panels and door panels give it a very finished look and the
original-style headliner overhead keeps it authentic. The front
seats offer a commanding view of the road completely free of
obstructions, and the bus-like driving position is actually
comfortable for long trips, which is really what these buses were
designed to do. Basic instrumentation was provided by the factory,
and this one has been augmented with much more important gauges
like a cylinder head temperature gauge, an oil temperature gauge
(remember the VW is air cooled), oil pressure gauge, and a
voltmeter. You'll also be pleased to see an upgraded stereo system
with an AM/FM/CD head unit and speakers in the kick panel ahead of
the front seat. And in addition to three rows of seats, there's a
reasonably large and nicely upholstered package shelf atop the
engine bay in back.
The new crate engine is a relatively high-performance version of
the Beetle's venerable flat-four. Displacing 1776 cc, it's big
enough to provide some added punch without sacrificing reliability
and with twin-port heads, it breathes a lot more freely which means
more power. Oversized carburetors help with power production and
the engine bay is as neatly detailed as the rest of the bus. A mild
cam and upgraded pistons help deliver energetic performance and a
remote oil filter and Empi oil cooler are on hand for improved
reliability. Headers and a performance muffler extract every bit of
horsepower from the little boxer engine and it has a great exhaust
note that's instantly familiar and will bring a smile to your face.
The underside is in very good condition and with a 4-speed manual
transmission, it is a lot of fun to drive. Standard steel wheels
with color-matched hubcaps and 185/65/14 radials look traditional
and custom at the same time.
If you're a fan of VW buses, this is a great one that might be
considered a resto-mod. Everything that was done only enhances what
was already great, making it one of the best we've seen. Call
today!
