Long Story: 1960 VW Custom Camper Bus
The versatility of the Volkswagen Type 2 is like none other. The model carries many variants from Panel Van, Kombi, Samba and many more. Custom conversions are not uncommon, the type 2 has been used for everything from an Ambulance to a Food Truck. Camper conversions done by companies like Westfalia are very popular. Occasionally we see a custom one off conversion like we have here. There is a lot going on with this fascinating conversion found here on TheSamba in Cave Junction Oregon for $8,000 OBO, so lets take a look.
The Volkswagen Type 2 has a huge cult following and there are many experts on the details between different model years and variants, so please chime in if you have any input. This Bus is listed as a 1960 model, to me it looks like it may have started life as a Panel Van but its hard to say. Here is what we know from the ad.
Last registered in 1980, this bus has been stretched about 2 feet making it about 17 feet long. The interior is in poor condition with the camping amenities mostly removed. The roof piece is made of fiberglass and is in bad shape. The engine appears to be a 40 horse and it does run. The floors and cargo area have rust. Judging by the limited pictures, there is quite a bit of rust but compared to other buses for sale its not that bad.
Every time I look at the ad I have more questions. Who built it? Is there a bed above or is it just extra headroom? Whats the meaning behind the cool artwork on the sides? How does it drive? Was it safe to drive? Are those tail lights correct for a ’60?
.
The seller includes this photo of the bus in “her former glory” which bring up a few more questions. Are these people the original owners? Is this the same bus? The paint is obviously different but the bus in the picture has a different roof. This brings up the possibility that there may have been more than one of these, possibly the work of a small conversion company. Has anyone out there ever seen one of these? This is truly a unique vehicle, the stories it could tell if it could talk. Is it worthy of restoration, a parts donor, or yard art? The future is uncertain.
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Comments
I don’t know the logic here, you take a vehicle that is already gutless, that doesn’t have the power to get out of its own way, and you make it bigger and heavier. I would have to say that this thing would be stressful to drive, especially in today’s traffic. Can you imagine driving down the highway at about 50 mph and have a semi roll up behind you and tailgate you until you lose your nerve and pull over. I once had a Ural sidecar bike and they are slow 55 to 60 rung out to the max. I’ve experienced a tail gating truck first hand. I’m here to tell you it is terrifying to be pursued on the high way like that. ill bet on a good day 50 mph is the top of the world for this rust bucket hunk of junk. I wouldn’t want this thing even if it was a free gift. $8 k is a total joke on something that should be scrapped.
I can not understand why anyone thinks the VW van is so slow.
I’ve seen these vans back up a hill with no trouble at all.
You can even lay rubber in reverse.
So what is the problem?
Just use your outside mirrors to get where you are going.
The only concern is that the steering is in the rear and it steers like a combine does.
Put one hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and away you go.
I see what you did there… lol
Most prefer to go forwards Al?
Imagine a trip to Mexico in reverse?
Must have a hidden grappling hook for hills.
Scrap is right.
Must be a lot of fun on a windy day….
No I do not agree (sarcasm aside).
Having owned a well kitted out camper Type 2 with a high roof.
On a 30mile mountain pass with a 40mph side wind and a shear drop into the drink below…. I would rather sleep tied up in a haunted house than experience that fear again…
Handling badly is a vast understatement.
I’ve seen stretched buses and vans and I’ve seen big fiberglass tops on both but I haven’t seen a stretch with a top. There were several companies that converted buses,campers,and vans in the late 50’s and 60’s. The value for this one is there. The condition looks pretty good. I’ll bet the buyer gets close to what he is asking. Unusual VW sell for $$$$$$.
I’ve seen stretched buses and vans and I’ve seen big fiberglass tops on both but I haven’t seen a stretch with a top. There were several companies that converted buses,campers,and vans in the late 50’s and 60’s. The value for this one is there. The condition looks pretty good. I’ll bet the buyer gets close to what he is asking. Unusual VW sell for $$$$$$.
~Long Lonnng [V]aaannn~
50 miles per hour?? More like 50 miles per day!!
Wow that is a stretch…handy bailey bridge for swollen streams
An original Deutsche motorhaus
That is actually a wohnmobile in deutsche.
You camp at a wohnmobileplatz, where in most places in Germany you are not allowed to have a bonfire. Even when firewood is used for cooking and/or heating in Germany, you in a camper are not allowed a bonfire, go figure.
But the Germans have fairly nice wohnmobiles, with lots of storage. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtVBAMM7t74
Turn of the sound and watch.
Scott, why do you say the roof is different from the featured vehicle to the picture?
As for the vehicle and the asking price, I am speechless.
Mig… I think Scott means the original had a thinner standup space longitudinally than the current configuration which is a full width roof space. IE both sides of the original roof have been added onto for extra space inside. IE : Could not swing the cat before, but now they can ( :
The roofs ARE different… one goes directly above the edge of the windscreen the other doesn’t …basic observation!
Thanks for reading Miguel, I should have included this photo in the post as it shows the front roof line better. The van for sale has the roof piece going all the way to the windshield. The van in the old photo has the roof addition starting a few inches back. Weird.
They may have modified it over the years for more room.
I would hate to think there were or are two of these things out there.
Nice bus…err camper pull behind..
Where’s the tow hitch to pull it to camp grounds?
I mean no one drives it right?😮😳😔
The roof is definitely the same in each picture. Not sure why you say they’re different.
Going to assume sarcasm here. Otherwise, the price will definitely have to come down as much as that top has grown out from its original resize.
All this thing needs is a reproduction windowed roof, two foot taken out of the middle, half a ton of new sheet metal, a quarter ton of bondo, and a capable drivetrain to move the sled.
Same profile yes, but different roofs. The current roof is not only longer but also wider. Note that the roof extends to the drip rail all the way around while there is still original sheet metal around the perimeter on the former glory shot. Sure indicates someone or some conversion company made at least two.
Having owned a 59 Westfalia conversion with a 36 horse in my deep dark past, slow is an understatement, but with the 40 horse in this one it might not be any slower, extra weight and all.
Go deeper in your comparo??
Looks like its sporting a pompadour.
Der Greyhund
Can’t polish a turd… oh wait they tried!
Dear Lord, it’s fugly. The vents just under the drip rail in line with engine vents are indicative of a panel. Taillights are not correct and appear to be ’62 and later laid on their sides. The front lights and bumpers are correct for ’60. It’s definitely savable. I would take that monstrosity off the roof and fix the rest. I kinda like those funky long windows. You could put a camping interior in it, would be nice with the additional space. Put some stiff sidewall tires on it. I wouldn’t lower it, almost impossible at that length to get it in a driveway. This monster needs a good 2 liter for motivation, maybe even a turbo.
Wish there was a picture of my uncles 1967 VW bus camper with the propane tank mounted by him in front like that tire. Yes….we all said that….he hauled my cousins all over and in to Mexico….
It’s the same bus. The old man in the pic built it, but redid the roof and interior in the 70s. Supposedly it was slightly bored out and had corvair pistons in it and scooted along at a decent pace.
Can you imagine the advertising you could do on the side? Just park it in front of your business.
The “wheel pad” built in 1971 by an engineer . It runs and handles very well and is fully self contained . A real hand built VW stretch camper .
No offense, but it is fantasy land to say it “handles very well”. Had a 69 bus for many years, pedal to the floor, white knuckle in crosswinds. Engine rebuild every 30K. Having said that, with a 55mph speed heavily enforced, it was a reasonable utility hauler in most other conditions. Times were different. I sold it for $500.00 and have never wished I had it back.
Can’t even begin to imagine a top heavy wind blocking addition being any fun on todays highways.
Trailer it home, stick it way back on your rear property line. Run electricity to it. Start camping on weekends. No worries bout traffic, handling on roads or crowds. Throw some burgers on the grill & chill!
This will have a tough time trying to go up La Bajada Hill in New Mexico.