On my pre-breakfast walk with the dogs, I came across this VW bus. There was a man standing not too far away, and I said “That’s a well-loaded VW bus”. He gave me a wan smile and said, “‘well-loaded’; yes, I like that”. And then he told me that in his storage unit, he has a picture of a truck in Africa crossing the Sahara that is loaded up beyond belief, with cargo and humans. And I told him that I was familiar with that picture (below).
This one, which I used in a CC post titled “Overloaded CCs In Africa“. Yes, compared to how vehicle are routinely overloaded in Africa, the VW bus looks positively pampered.
And it’s not the first time this bus was visiting here, and with a curious load on its tail. I shot it last spring, with this pile of firewood tied to it in a rather odd fashion. I decided it didn’t quite merit a post, but given the more impressive load on it today, it can at least show that this VW’s owner is good with the string and rope.
I bet all that weight in the extreme rear makes the handling even more interesting, but the traction… oh, the glorious traction they have! They can embarrass many a 4×4.
Having had a few busses (Splittys and Bays) it is remarkable how well-behaved they become with heavy loads in the middle, with no signs of crosswind darting about whatsoever!
Must have taken 15 minutes to tie that firewood. It would fit in the right front floor in 5 seconds, still leaving room for feet.
I guess I’m hopelessly locked into oppressive neanderthal linear thinking.
Then he must’ve had some reason for not wanting the wood inside the van…for instance, maybe the inside of the van is his home.
Speaking of overloaded trucks in Africa, this is an actual press picture for the Fiat 682, nicknamed “King of Africa” because of how popular it was (and still is) there.
Fiat also made an interesting promo video for it’s trucks and buses, called African Roads, in 1973.
Quite amazing to see, at 6:50, some 1930s Fiat 634 still going strong. They just required 5 people to be handcranked to life !
And while we’re on topic, here’s a gallery of CC-worthy italian trucks in Eritrea, including a few rare Lancias, and even several 634 in running condition (!).
http://www.eritreaeritrea.com/camion_italiani_d'Eritrea.htm
That’s a great overview of classic heavy Italian iron on that Eritrea website !
Another one, it’s missing an Oversize Load sign.
Those African log trucks look scary, No headache rack, no tie down chains, axle loading rates must be quite relaxed.
I like the modern-era Fiat 691N on the website that mb posted. Built in the first half of the seventies, right before the truckmakers merger that resulted in Iveco. Typical is the last axle with single tires, common in Italy, 6×2 trucks in Germany had that too.
I did notice that all the stuff packed on the back of that bus was pretty light. And the bus can’t go fast enough for aerodynamic effects to make handling too goosey. 😉
Yeah a friend has the same model and colour even with 1630 engine twin carbs and headers its slow, but the braking and handling on those isnt up to fast.
Storage unit? Was he talking brick & mortar or another bus itself?
No disrespect intended, but all the stuff on the back reminded me of a homeless person’s shopping cart.
The more of this stuff I see posted about what rolls around in Eugene, the more I think of it as an other-worldly place. Correct me if I’m wrong, but to me it seems like one big ex-hippie-world.
I suppose one would have to live there to appreciate it, however. I guess I’ll have to visit Eugene and the northwest to see for myself someday.
Has anyone in Eugene EVER bought a brand-new car? Are there new car dealerships? Just musing, tongue firmly in cheek!
Anyone else thinking of that Arlo Guthrie song right now?
During my travels through Montana along I-90, I saw a tiny Suzuki Samari loaded with stuff packed inside to the ceiling , and on top of the roof and sides. Quite a sight.
Vehicles like this are unfortunately a common sight in my town. Or more precisely, parked just outside the city limits. VW buses, full size vans and conversions, older RVs, the occasional Astro or Aerostar. The cynic in me tends to think that the bikes or bike frames/wheels are stolen.