Autoblog

VW execs want Bulli to compliment Beetle in Heritage Collection

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Design/Style

If there's any one vehicle that can realistically challenge the Beetle in the annals of historic Volkswagens, it's the Transporter. More often referred to as the Microbus or just the Bus, the real original minivan first saw the light of day in 1950 as the Type 2 (the Beetle, naturally, was the Type 1).

As with the Beetle, it's the earliest models that incite the most butterflies in the hearts of air-cooled VW enthusiasts, though the machines remained collectible all the way through the early 1990s. And, if Volkswagen executives have their way, the iconic Bus may once again enter production.

Previewed by the Bulli Concept from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the production model would likely ride atop the same platform as the latest Volkswagen Beetle and sport seating for five occupants and their cargo. If that's the case, expect a range of four-cylinder engines (maybe even a five...) sending power to the front wheels.

If Autocar is to be believed, the next Microbus may be ready for the road by 2014, and it would likely come to the States. We'll begin the finger-crossing now.

VW execs want Bulli to compliment Beetle in Heritage Collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheeky coed's butt wins vintage VW bus

Zach Bowman — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Etc., Volkswagen, Humor

Hollister 1978 Volkswagen Microbus winner Lizzy Marola - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hollister and Facebook have teamed up to take social media to new and lofty heights. The clothing company just wrapped up a contest in which users were invited to submit photos of their derrières in Hollister jeans. Both guys and girls could enter for a chance to take home one very awesome, custom 1978 Volkswagen Microbus, complete with all the surf gear you'd need to at least pretend like you're a beach bum. Facebook users were invited to judge the competing rears and vote on their favorites, and one rump stood above the rest.

Lizzy Marola entered the contest at a Hollister store on a whim and wound up winning the eyes of enough voters to take home the bus of her dreams. Marola is a freshman at Coastal Carolina University, so there's at least some chance that those long boards will hit the water in the near future.

The Microbus was delivered to Marola at her home in Torrington, Connecticut recently on a trailer before being inspected and registered. If you're interested to see the image that won it for her, click here.

Gallery: Hollister 1978 Volkswagen Microbus Giveaway

[Sources: Litchfield County Times, Facebook]

Cheeky coed's butt wins vintage VW bus originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: VW design chief says new Microbus is in the cards

Dan Roth — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Rumormill

2001 Volkswagen Microbus Concept - click for a hi-res image gallery

It's time to dust off the periodic dream of a new Volkswagen Microbus. The UK's Auto Express reports that Klaus Bischoff, chief designer for the Volkswagen brand, thinks a new version of the classic Camper is a fundamental part of his job. This rumor has come around before, and the New Beetle's ten-year run might help underscore the business case for a revival.

There were plans to offer a production version of the 2001 Microbus concept that made a splash at that year's Detroit Motor Show, but cost considerations put an end to that project. A new Microbus is back on, according to Bischoff, and Volkswagen is trying to figure out how conventional or creative to go. VW's design offices across the globe are being asked for their input to develop a vehicle with wide influence, and platforms and powertrains are up in the air. If this rumor sticks, we're likely to see a concept in 2012.

Gallery: 2001 VW Microbus Concept

[Source: Auto Express]

Report: VW design chief says new Microbus is in the cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Life Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Bus turns 60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Many automakers will build cars for decades and never create a product that can truly be considered a cultural icon. Few that do produce multiple such models. One of those is Volkswagen.The original Beetle/Bug/Type 1 is recognizable almost anywhere and even by people that know nothing about cars. The Beetle itself spawned another icon in the form of the Type 2 (or Microbus), a vehicle that is celebrating its diamond anniversary in 2010.

Like the original Bug, the Microbus had an air-cooled flat-four cylinder engine hanging off the back of the rear axle. The front seats were moved up over the front axle creating a format that was eventually copied by Ford, Dodge, General Motors and countless Japanese automakers.

Over sixty years, the bus became the ride of choice for surfers, hippies and iconoclasts everywhere. Many surviving examples from the 1960s are still hauling surfboards and Deadheads today. In the 1980s, the third-generation bus morphed into the still-loved but less iconic Vanagon, with emissions standards forcing the adoption of water cooling in 1983. The last of the rear-engined VW vans ceased production in 1992. A tip of the hat to Brooks!

*UPDATED: New photos added and official VW press release available after the jump

Gallery: Volkswagen Bus Turns 60!

[Sources: Volkswagen, Life]

Continue reading A ~~Life~~ Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated

A ~~Life~~ Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars

Chris Tutor — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

What do the 1980 Chevy Monza and the 1973 VW Microbus have in common? They are among Car Talk hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi's Top 10 Scariest Cars list. Of the Monza they say, " Whenever one of these beauties reared its ugly grille in front of the garage, every mechanic with more than six weeks' experience would go running for the men's room and lock the door." Another car on the list, the 1987 Ford Festiva, gets this derision from the brothers: "We once got in trouble for saying this car came right from the factory with a funeral wreath on the grille."

If these cars aren't scary enough, submit your own nomination.

The whole list after the jump.

[Source: cartalk.com]

Continue reading Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars

Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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