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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VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Minivan/Van, Europe, Volkswagen

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.

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