[Mosparx]

My "history" goes back to a 1975 Dodge B-200 I bought new, then customized, then bought the first 1985 Astro when it came out. I then bought a 1983 Stro which blew, and now drive my 2001 Stro. In 2004 I picked up a 1978 hardtop Westy VW bus which is fun as hell to cruise and go camping in! Anyone else here own a bus?

 

[Mosparx]

... I MEANT to say a 1993 Astro, that was the worst vehicle I ever owned.

 

[chops]

I dont own one but if I ever make the move to Cali Im gonna get one. OBTW ics: ics: ics: ics:

 

[WVKayaker]

My 1st vehicle was a 1972 VW bus...It could go anywhere but was a pain in the butt.

:banghead:

 

[phrog]

My first van was a 64 Kombi that I stuck a larger than life engine in WOW loads of fun in college, Wheelies, street drags, gettin shut down by a VW bus really had to suck. :lol:

 

[9dawgs]

My first van was a VW Vanagan 1983 aircooled (burnt the motor up in this one outside of Bakersville, CA), my next van was a 1987 Toyota ToyoWagon (bought new), ugly little thing that looked like something off of "Lost in Space" but I never had it in the shop as long as I owned it. In fact, the only "major" thing that needed to be replaced in the 7 years I owned it was the fuel injectors..., My next van was again a VW Vanagon 1985 (no engine in this one) I wound up giving it away when I transferred. After that we bought a brand new 1994 Chevy Astro Extended, I loved this van but my family grew to seven children so we traded it after 5 years for a 1995 Ford E350 15passenger van. The Ford lasted for a loongg time until the kids started driving their own cars and my wife found herself rambeling around town in a big ole' empty bus so we traded it on my 1999 Astro in my signature. The was the faithful family truckster for a long time until I took it for myself and turned it into the lifted monster you see :banger: Oh, I did by my wife a nice cream puff of a 1998 Chevy Astro. I bought it from the original owner who kept meticulous maintenance records. It's a great van. I'm slowly adding upgrades (2" OLV lift) but nothing too extravigant so I don't alarm her :bigsmile:

Our Big Ole' Ford E350

My Wife's '98 Astro

 

[Mosparx]

I dont own one but if I ever make the move to Cali Im gonna get one. OBTW ics: ics: ics: ics:

Mine is the yellow one. This was at Put-In-Bay island on Lake Erie, November 2006.

 

[glasseye]

Here's my Bay, a '75 Canadian spec (aux heater!) 54,000 original miles. A barn find (really!) I put in a new clutch, all new fuel lines, cleaned the fuel tank and put in all new ignition components. Purrs.

Here's my first Stro, a 2WD new to me in '88. Sold at 320,000 kms, currently with its second owner at 360,000 km. Still running strong on original driveline.

And here's my current Safari. An AWD plain Jane with nearly zero options. :banghead: Not nearly as trouble-free as my original shorty, but still the most versatile vehicle out there.

Next, it's either a low miles Stro, if I can find a good one, or a used Sprinter.
As far as I can see, this is the perfect vehicle.

 

[Big_kid]

Welcome aboard!

I'm more of a dune buggy guy (2 projects) than a bus guy, but I do like them and wouldn't mind owning one. I even picked up a 3 rib tranny at the junkyard so it wouldn't get crushed. I might use it one day, or take it to a swap meet.

I'm sure you're aware of http://www.thesamba.com there's also a new VW board at http://www.dasvolks.com/phpBB3/index.php
I'm Big_kid there too. I'm also registered on the samba, but it takes me all day to check that site out so I rarely visit there.

Glad you found us!

 

[AstroAustin]

Those photos are outstanding! I think I spent 4-5 minutes just staring at them.

 

[Lumpy]

CPR on an old thread ---

I had a 56 window bus. 6v system converted to 12v. Engine upsized to 1200cc. Rebuilt the engine once on the road to Manson's old place in Death Valley Natl Monument (it wasn't yet a Natl Park). And again in a WalMart parking lot in Hot Springs National Park, AR. Took forever to get up Grapevine Hill or the I-25 pass in CO. Previous owners made a Peace Sign mosaic with carpet in the rear compartment. When it rained, water would leak into the carpet and sprout old pot seeds.

Later got a 71 window bus just so I'd have some heat, sealed windows etc. Never liked it as much as the old airplane window bus with the split windshield.

Slept in them both all over the country alongside surfboards, upright basses and hitchiking hippie chicks.

Literally "Living in a Fried Out Kombi".

Lump

 

[redfury]

I WANT an old bus, all you have to do is look at all of the pictures I've collected on Pintrest to see that, but my wife thinks they are just damn ugly. Chicks...whatever.

My dad had an old bus with a Corvair engine in it. Bought it off a guy that used to drive it down streams apparently, sucking in water and panning for gold. It had big farm implement type tires on it, and was in pretty rough shape. Dad, being a carpet layer and not an auto body guy, decided to "spruce it up" and carpeted the outside of it..everything except for the "V" and side stripe area. I don't ever remember seeing it move as I was only 5 years old except when the tow truck hauled it away. Still, I'd love to own one. I'd love to get the 3 door truck though, and throw a nice dual carbed 2200 cc motor in it, or maybe even upgrade to a Subaru engine.