Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/vw-bus-stolen-35-years-ago-returned-in-mint-condition-to-alls/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/vw-bus-stolen-35-years-ago-returned-in-mint-condition-to-alls/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/vw-bus-stolen-35-years-ago-returned-in-mint-condition-to-alls/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



In 1974, this 1965 Volkswagen Type 2 (a.k.a. 'Bus') was stolen from Washington State. Fast-forward to October 19 of this year and custom agents at the Port of Los Angeles open up a container bound for Europe only to rediscover said van. Somehow, the Bus's VIN was still in the LAPD's stolen vehicle database. Guess which 1965 Type 2 is no longer headed for Europe?

Here's where it gets a little bit foggy, a little bit weird. According to the Los Angeles Times, the cops and the feds can't find the original owner. And the gentleman that restored the thirteen-window Bus to such pristine condition and who was planning on shipping said Bus back to the fatherland is also a victim of the theft - meaning he's off the hook, but out of money. Because way back in 1974, Allstate ("You're in good hands") Insurance paid the then owner $2,500 for the stolen Volkswagen. Which means that Allstate is winding up with the Bus.

Update: The original owner has been located! Her name is Michelle Squires and yes, she would like her Bus back. The reason that she couldn't be located at first is because her last name used to be Carlson. Says Squires, "I don't know if I could afford it because the restored bus is supposed to be around $25,000 now, but I would like the opportunity to talk to Allstate to see if I could get it back." While we think it would be a stellar PR coup for Allstate, Squires should probably prepare to stay separated from her van.

[Source: Los Angeles Times | Image: Department of Homeland Security]

VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allstateauto insuranceAutoInsuranceBuscar insuranceCarInsuranceDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartmentOfHomelandSecurityhomeland securityHomelandSecurityinsuranceStolen CarStolen CarsStolenCarStolenCarsTheftThirteen-Window BusThirteen-windowBusvolkswagenVolkswagen busVolkswagen Station WagonVolkswagen Type 2VolkswagenBusVolkswagenStationWagonVolkswagenType2VWVW BusVwBusMon, 09 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[VW Caravelle, California and Transporter get Golf nosejobs, head for Frankfurt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/vw-caravelle-california-and-transporter-get-golf-nosejobs-head/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/vw-caravelle-california-and-transporter-get-golf-nosejobs-head/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/vw-caravelle-california-and-transporter-get-golf-nosejobs-head/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Volkswagen Caravelle and Transporter - click above image for high-res gallery

Some of us enthusiast types are still upset that Volkswagen never released the retro-futuristic new Bus first seen back in 2001. Looking backwards with 20-20 vision, perhaps the conceptual Bus was a little too slavish to the Type II's (a.k.a. Transporter, a.k.a. Station Wagon, a.k.a. Bus) design aesthetic and not concerned enough with its zeitgeist - affordable, practical family fun.

Meet the new VW Caravelle (passenger van), Transporter (cargo van) and California (camper van - not shown). These Golf-nosed successors to not only the Transporter, but the Vanagon and Eurovan, will be making their refreshed debuts in a few short weeks at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Beyond receiving a new shnoz, other tweaks include a range of common rail TDI engines, new rear-light clusters, more aerodynamic side mirrors, touchscreen navigation, USB connectivity, updated ESP and a hill-start assist feature. Plus, you can get either van with a manual gearbox.

While both these cars are Euro-only (Volkswagen hasn't sold a Eurovan in the U.S. since 2003), it is good to see a modern version of a Westphalia-style camper van. And you know, maybe Volkswagen should think about ditching the Routan and bringing these new vans here... especially the pop-top California? Just a thought. Either way, we'll know more come Frankfurt. High-res shots below, full press releases after the jump.


Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Caravelle and Transporter


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW Caravelle, California and Transporter get Golf nosejobs, head for Frankfurt

VW Caravelle, California and Transporter get Golf nosejobs, head for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BusCaliforniacampercamper vanCamperVanCaravelleEurovanVanagonVolkswagenVolkswagen BusVolkswagen CaliforniaVolkswagen CaravelleVolkswagen EurovanVolkswagen TransporterVolkswagen Type IIVolkswagen VanagonVolkswagenBusVolkswagenCaliforniaVolkswagenCaravelleVolkswagenEurovanVolkswagenTransporterVolkswagenTypeIiVolkswagenVanagonvw busVw eurovanvw transportervw vanagonVwBusVwEurovanVwTransporterVwVanagonwestfaliaWestphaliaWed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to enlarge the five VW Campervans

There are few vehicles which can approach the Volkswagen van for sheer classic presence. Today, early examples of the first-generation models are so desirable that they can fetch more money than any current van on the market. That's mighty impressive for a vehicle which sold for very low prices when new. And who could possibly forget the Campervan conversions which were available right from the factory? Apparently, Volkswagen isn't completely unaware of its illustrious rear-engined past. The automaker has selected five Campervans to take part in a special part in this year's Vanfest, which takes place this month in the U.K. The five winners represent one model from each of the five generations that VW has been selling its commercial vans. Our favorite has got to be the 1966 split-window Transporter, complete with Safari windows. Seriously, as far as Campervans go, it just doesn't get any better than that. Looking at these past designs, we wonder how Volkswagen ended up choosing a restyled Chrysler minivan for its U.S. Routan. They can make up for it, at least a little bit, by cutting its roof off for a proper camping conversion. Yeah... not likely.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display

VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camper vanCamperVanvolkswagenvolkswagen busvolkswagen campervolkswagen sambavolkswagen transportervolkswagen vanvolkswagen vanagonVolkswagenBusVolkswagenCamperVolkswagenSambaVolkswagenTransporterVolkswagenVanVolkswagenVanagonvw camper vanvw type 2vw type iiVwCamperVanVwType2VwTypeIiFri, 05 Sep 2008 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[VW giving away a The Who-themed "Magic Bus" for charity]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/vw-giving-away-a-the-who-themed-magic-bus-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/vw-giving-away-a-the-who-themed-magic-bus-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/vw-giving-away-a-the-who-themed-magic-bus-for-charity/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Who and the VW Kombi, two '60s icons, are coming together with the Teenage Cancer Trust to help the charity serve stricken young adults and teenagers. While the song "Magic Bus" was about riding public transit, it's been co-opted into Type2 culture, and the Who even performed at a 60th anniversary event held for Volkswagen's seminal hauler in Hanover, Germany last year.

This year, the Who are holding a concert to kick off a lottery to win a 1965 split-windscreen bus provided by VW Commercial Vehicles and carrying a paint scheme designed by the band's art director, Richard Evans. Of course, the imagery of band members on the bus appears to be from a time when Roger Daltrey could sing "hope I die before I get old" with conviction. The van will be on display outside London's Royal Albert Hall until the 13th of April, and £5 will get you a ticket for a chance to win the bus, as well as a free download of an unreleased live version of "Magic Bus." With the low cost of entries and the nobility of the cause, we hope all those former hippies who sold out to become yuppies in the 1980s can find a remaining shred of their former dreams to save the world and enter early and often. Press release after the jump

Gallery: Magic Bus Volkswagen Van


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW giving away a The Who-themed "Magic Bus" for charity

VW giving away a The Who-themed "Magic Bus" for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>magic busMagicBuspete townsendPeteTownsendroger daltreyRogerDaltreyroyal albert hallRoyalAlbertHallteenage cancer trustTeenageCancerTrustthe whothe who volkswagenTheWhoTheWhoVolkswagenvolkswagen busvolkswagen kombivolkswagen transportervolkswagen vanVolkswagenBusVolkswagenKombiVolkswagenTransporterVolkswagenVanTue, 08 Apr 2008 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons has a (VW) Ball]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/11/zz-tops-billy-gibbons-has-a-vw-ball/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/11/zz-tops-billy-gibbons-has-a-vw-ball/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/11/zz-tops-billy-gibbons-has-a-vw-ball/#commentsFiled under: ,



In 1979, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons was " ... rollin' down the road in some cold blue steel ..." in I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide. Now, 28 years later, certified custom car nut Gibbons can literally roll down the road.

Coker Tire owner Corky Coker has posted on his blog a couple of photos of Gibbons' Bus Ball, a VW Microbus chopped and dropped down to little more than a single seat, a narrow-rimmed steering wheel and that well-known, melon-sized VW logo. Coker, who obviously makes his living selling tires, says on his blog that he was a bit offended that his friend Gibbons' latest custom left out what Coker saw as a vital piece of most hot rods: the tires. Gibbons assured Coker that the requisite wide whitewalls are in the trunk. Gibbons also brags that the Bus Ball's greatly improved aerodynamics help improve on the original VW's fuel economy.

Corky Coker is currently out of town on business, but when he gets back, we hope to get more details about the Bus Ball's creation.

Thanks for the cool tip, Todd!

[Source: Corky Coker blog]

ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons has a (VW) Ball originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billy Gibbonsbilly gibbons artbilly gibbons automotive artbilly Gibbons bus ballbilly gibbons carsbilly gibbons custom carsBillyGibbonsBillyGibbonsArtBillyGibbonsAutomotiveArtBillyGibbonsBusBallBillyGibbonsCarsBillyGibbonsCustomCarsBus BallBusBallgibbons bus ballgibbons volkswagengibbons vwgibbons VW Bus BallGibbonsBusBallGibbonsVolkswagenGibbonsVwGibbonsVwBusBallvolkswagen busvolkswagen bus ballVolkswagenBusVolkswagenBusBallVW Bus BallVwBusBallSun, 11 Feb 2007 18:25:00 EST