Roshake 77 found this VW bus in Budapest, but I’m stumped by the front appendage. Is it filled with foam to provide better crash protection? Or just a cover for a spare tire?
Nothing unusual back here, although the twin exhausts are Beetle units.
Cohort Pic(k) of the Day: VW Type 2 Bus With Protruding Front Appendage – Crash Protection?
– Posted on December 2, 2021
It is indeed a spare tire cover https://bus-ok.nl/T2b-Westfalia-spare-tire-cover-on-front-bumper-USED
Looks not unlike the actual VW T2.5 that was made in Brazil as late as 2013. These had changed over to water-cooled engines thus requiring a radiator and grille up front.
I also thought about them. Of course, a covered radiator is probably not good advice. Speaking of adapted engines on these buses, here in Uruguay were all kinds of installations. There were many 1.6 VW diesels, with the radiator in the same place as the factory edition you picture here, but making it fit just by cutting the front. Other simpler fittings were installing a radiator on the bumper and passing the plumbing under the body….The radiator many times was a good 10 cm from the body. There were also many Toyota 2.4 engines (all diesels). Mechanics around here were quite inventive in the 80s.
Modern Subaru boxer engines seem to be a popular swap in the U.S. at least for the T3, not sure about earlier models.
My guess would have been a couple propane tanks – I’m pretty sure the kamper has a propane stove. Stored in the most dangerous place, but hey.
But I’m sure Matt is correct.
It would be a nice spot to put a 1KW or 2KW generator, as long as you ran it dry before driving.
It’s VW’s first attempt at a continental kit. It wasn’t very successful.
🙂
They put their engines on the wrong end, why not the continental kit too?
You made me snort my coffee!!
My first thought was one of those free-standing room air conditioning units. But if so, they did a great job of disguising the vent hoses. And then of course there’s the issue of figuring out how to provide it with AC current….
Typical Budapest parking situation.