Author Topic: Volkswagen Vans: Number One  (Read 4928 times)

Offline Alvis 3.1

  • Self acknowledged "Bad Influence"…but probably less attractive than Pink
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Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« on: September 29, 2014, 01:23:13 PM »
I have a thing for the Type 2 Transporter van. I owned a 1973 one, hated every moment of it, but something aboot the shape just appeals to my sick mind. here's one of the fun things I've done with them...






And yes, I am fully aware that "Munich' is not spelled that way in Germany. I assume it's a truck from Canada, likely Saskatchewan, as anything involving real steep hills would be a show stopper and clutch burner) with that little air cooled engine...

Alvis 3.1

Offline Rickshaw

  • "Of course, I could be talking out of my hat"
Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2014, 03:37:18 PM »
Trying to figure out where the engine is on that thing.  Is it meant to be under the turntable?

Offline LemonJello

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Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2014, 08:20:51 PM »
That is really cool!

Edited because spelling and grammar are important
« Last Edit: September 30, 2014, 07:44:22 PM by LemonJello »

Offline Weaver

  • Skyhawk stealer and violator of Panthers, with designs on a Cougar and a Tiger too
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Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2014, 09:28:46 PM »
Nice model!  ;D

Reminds me of a road contractor's van around here that says something like:

ROGERSON'S SERVICES
STOCKPORT
PARIS
NEW YORK
TOKYO
(but mostly Stockport)
"I have described nothing but what I saw myself, or learned from others" - Thucydides

"I've jazzed mine up a bit" - Spike Milligan

"I'm a general specialist," - Harry Purvis in Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke

Twitter: @hws5mp
Minds.com: @HaroldWeaverSmith

Offline Alvis 3.1

  • Self acknowledged "Bad Influence"…but probably less attractive than Pink
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Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2014, 10:09:46 PM »
Yup, the engine is under the trailer hitch attachment. Doing any sort of basic engine work would require unhitching the trailer, unbolting the deck, removing the collar, then getting at the engine. Basically, a massive pain in the posterier, something my van gave me on a regular basis.
Also, it would be prone to over heating and would be terribly under powered. Again, pretty much like the one I owned.

It was suggested to me that I should have left the trailer rear axle as a powered one, to which I replied "That's crazy talk, that would be way too complicated and prone to mechanical issues..." and then realised that any good German engineeer would love the opportunity to prove they could make that work. And work it would, as long as it existed in a perfect environment without vibration, dirt, moisture, wear and tear...

So you'd wind up one day doing a tight turn and suddenly a line would kink, and the rear engine would to to full speed, dragging you sideways down the street! Yup, I need to do this van over and incorporate that idea.


Alvis 3.1

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2014, 06:37:04 AM »
Another wonder, Alvis! The paint scheme is impressive as all get-out and looks flawless.

I can think of no better use for a VW van. I understand your obsession.

These nose-less things haunted my childhood:



They still scare the bejeebus out of me.

Brian da Basher

Offline Jacques Deguerre

  • Older and fatter but not wiser.
Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2014, 09:11:19 AM »
This is just too darn cool, Alvis! What was the base kit?

I remember working for a contractor in my younger days who used a '70 or '71 VW van as a work truck. If we carried our full load of scaffolding, the suspension would bottom out. My most memorable experience was driving in morning traffic on the in-town interstate loop and discovering that the throttle had stuck "wide open" at more or less 60 mph! :o

Like Brian, I was always intrigued as a kid by those various small American trucks and vans that seemed obviously inspired by the VW. Of course, there was the Dodge A100 series like Brian posted but to my mind, the strangest was probably the Chevy Corvair-based van and pickup.

Offline elmayerle

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Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2014, 10:14:13 AM »
I love that concept, Alvis, and I can just here that little air-cooled engine wheezing and complaining.

Offline Alvis 3.1

  • Self acknowledged "Bad Influence"…but probably less attractive than Pink
  • The high priest of whiffing
Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2014, 10:35:41 AM »
This is actually an ancient project that finally got to the 90% mark (I still don't consider it finished, it lacks marker lights and plates, as well as various tiny geegaws.
It was built using the old Revell 1/25 California Roller (1979) kit, which was a street rodded Type 2. I used three to make the cab and trailer, and since it lacked stock tires, two VW Beetles also contributed their tires/wheels to the build. Much puttying and sanding ensued, and I never was able to eliminate one pesky seam across the top of the trailer, so I added strips, making them look like strengthening strips, to disguise the blemish. A friend who happened to own an ALPS printer did the chrome markings.
I think I started this somewhere around 1992.

Thanks for the feedback!

Alvis 3.1

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2014, 11:28:07 AM »
It's worth the wait!

Offline Acree

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Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2014, 05:28:37 AM »
My dad had a '63 Corvair van with the 6-cylinder horizontally opposed engine that he used for his TV repair business.  It was an awesome van and not at all underpowered - in fact it was pretty fast until a head-gasket blew.  Then it was fairly anemic as we kept driving it for six months or so. When he bought it, it was orange with a white stripe and big blotches of brown primer to paint out the original owners' logo.  Dad mixed some maroon auto touch-up paint with white house paint and brush painted it.  It was known as the Pink Panther all over the county!  Loved that van and wish I had it now!. 

It looked like this (only pink with a white stripe):  http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=sUmsvkRSLVx1-M&tbnid=b5jAx7_GtEyl1M:&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbloodsweatandgears.com%2Fimages%2Fspecial%2FzMAR12feature.html&ei=HSErVM23M8SbjAKriYC4Cw&bvm=bv.76477589,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNFyZi0Grhr86X1KDLw_dMKRm8Sybw&ust=1412198928254359 

Chuck
« Last Edit: October 01, 2014, 05:32:30 AM by Acree »

Offline Feldmarschall Zod

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Re: Volkswagen Vans: Number One
« Reply #11 on: October 02, 2014, 07:10:08 AM »
COOL LOOKING RIG.
Every time you eat celery,an angel vomits in a gas station bathroom. Tanks rule. I know the load is late,but the voices tell me to pull over and clean the guns.