One storage spot in particular is of interest. On the top right hand side inside the engine compartment is a circular cap covering a nice stash pocket. I figure is was probably made to hold spare tools, but come on, which hippie is going to use treasure chest pocket like this for tools!? They make a nice time capsule to the past since most people never notice the the plate. You could be the first to discover hidden items of the '70s. You might even find a forgotten sack of weed. :)
These have got to be one of the easiest of all cars to fix if you have the time to learn. The engine comes off with four bolts and a few wires. A strong man could lift the engine by himself. I use the help of a friend. Everything is done by hand. Timing, and carb are easily adjusted without the use of today's computers. The only training I had before I started working on my van was a short part time job at a lawn mower shop. Plus the parts are dead cheap. I bought a new exhaust kit the other day for twenty dollars. (made cheaply in China, oh well) It took a total of thirty minutes to put on. It's satisfying to know to how to fix your car. One side note on the engine- it always leaks. You have to be a magician to plug it up well enough not to spit at you. The 8 push rod tubes on the bottom of the engine are usually the culprit. Even with the hassle I still love my Volkswagen van.
You have to wonder why so many of these cars and vans are still on the road. They look so different than your average vehicle. You figure the owners would be better off with a new vehicle. One with safety features and better handling. Sure there are cars that are better on gas and honestly more reliable on the road. So why bother with an old '70s tin can?
My man, when drive an old VW van or bug, you're driving a piece of history. You have to wonder where such a car has been. I like to imagine my van has been to Woodstock or more likely to San Francisco in one of the more social mind opening events. I am an odd ball, and I love the shape of this car. It looks like a giant Twinkie coming down the road. I get a lot of looks from people walking. I'm not quit sure yet if they look in awe or disgust. LOL I wouldn't care either way.
I bought a new book from Urban Outfitters a month ago: "101 Things to DO Before You Die". Other than the extreme nature of this book to provoke it's reader do to all sorts of activities they would not have dreamed of other wise (i.e. skydiving, bunjie jumping, becoming a human guinea pig, participate in a threesome, or a police line up) I believe it's a good goal filled book for those who are seeking some encouragement. How does this have to do with Volkswagen vans you ask? There is a section on page #97 with a goal to 'live out of a van'. The picture for this item of choice displays a van of striking resemblance to that of a VW. The book also contains a task to 'Finish a coast to coast trip across America'. I always though it would be fun to preform this miracle in a vw van. That would be a feat to accomplish.
Have you heard of the burning man event held every year before labor day? This week long celebration is full of inspired artists that share a common interest in acceptance of new ideas. Maybe they're just a bunch of pyros looking for a legal way to burn stuff. (j/k) Among this crowd you will find a group of Volkswagen van enthusiast who camp together just like a bunch of hippies from the '70s. The only requirements of this crew is that you own a VW van.
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| Boxer 1600 cc air cooled Engine |
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| Visit the hit counters gallery. |
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