Photos by robadr, from the Cohort.
It’s been a while since we showcased automotive creative impulses seen at the Cohort, so I may as well highlight this VW Bus camper trailer concoction. As usual, the ever-adaptable VWs from the air-cool era provide a blank canvas for crafty folks. Unbolt, toss the engine and transmission, and screw the remains back together according to new wishes.
Ok, I’m making it sound easier than it actually is. But we all know old VWs are about the easiest things to transform into a new creation. And in this case, if the internet doesn’t lie, this one belongs to a bike enterprise from Vancouver; LandYachtz. Makes sense. Those folk must be rather handy with wrenches, blowtorches, and whatnot. A good bunch to play with old auto parts.
I believe this VW Bus camper trailer works not only as crew transport but also as a display for the company’s products at street fairs and such. If so, I’m all for multiple uses. The one question I have is, why turn the bus around? With the cockpit towards the back?
I see; to have a nice airy view while riding (Update: Nope, can’t do. It’s illegal to do so). Or to have more space to spread the legs and recline during stops? But how to open the windows? And aren’t those suicide doors now? None of this makes much sense, nor does it seem to be well worked out.
In any case, these old buses are quite spacious and accommodating. I’ve spent time inside a few, and if properly arranged, can have a nice homely feeling. I’m not entirely sold on this mutilation adaptation, but who am I to curtail people’s creative impulses? After all, my automotive memories would be far less interesting without such creations.
I think they did it for the headlight/taillight joke. Isn’t it illegal to ride in a moving trailer in most places? That would make the orientation irrelevant, unless it’s actually about a
heterodox arrangement chosen simply to be memorable, which it definitely is. Of course, the seats need to face inward to make it a useful office space. As kids, we loved riding in the wayback of Uncle Steve’s 9-passenger Chevy wagon, but it did get a bit old; after you waved at the people behind you,, you were left staring at each other uncomfortably for the next 50 miles.
I’m kind of torn on this one. On one hand, I admire the creativity of the overall concept as well as how they handled the brake light/turn signal issues. On the other hand, there’s something about how the empty wheel wells contrast with the trailer wheels that just looks unfinished to me. Not that I have an immediate better suggestion…but it just looks messy.
I’m sure that when they’re out with this creation they must get sick of people coming up to them to offer disapproval over butchering an old bus. Very keeping with the sentiments of 40 – 50 years ago; not so keeping with the current value of these things. Although someone can probably set me right about how maybe this particular bus version with its lack of windows isn’t necessarily so valuable.
It’s illegal to ride in a trailer. Entry is undoubtedly via the sliding door, and the rearward facing seats are in the same position so many camper van seats with swivel bases: to have them face towards the living area.
Given that the sliding door entrance is now on the street side and not the curb side, it still raises the question as to why it was turned backwards except of course for the visual impact.
A fair number of these were built by others, but not so crudely as this, which was mere attached to a trailer.
There’s a company that makes a whole range of new VW-bus look-alike trailers in various lengths, dubbed the Dub Box
https://www.dub-box.com/
The idea is neat but the execution is a little lacking. I think it would look better if the trailer bits were more integrated with the van.
Too bad they didn’t use a Westfalia. At least the camper would have had better headroom.
Interesting, I wonder if the reverse mounting makes for better slipstream sort of like the 1934 DeSoto Airflow sedans….
I can only dream of these ~ I was askeert to look at the price list .
-Nate