Minneapolis Street Sighting: VW Type 2 Bus

Contrary to yesterday's haphazardly terrible example, this example represents one of the nicer VW products I've seen in a while. Some may argue that this VW van is very cliche-- and I won't deny that. I like it, though. It's a cliche color combination, has "trendy" cool stickers taking up half of the glass space, and it is lowered to the point of no return, but that's alright with me. I've always liked European vehicles, especially when modified correctly.
In sharp contrast to yesterday's example, this version is not laden with rust or dents. However, for what it makes up for in that aspect of character, it lacks in originality. Thousands of VW vans across the country-- not to mention world--are modified in similar fashion. Why? Because it works. To a VW fan, this combination is like metallic paint and chrome Torq Thrusts are to a muscle car nut, or dark color with Volk TE37s and carbon pieces are to a tuner.
On this example, the EMPI wheels (at least I think that's what they are) work wonders over the stock steel wheels and dish hubcaps. While I do like the stockers, these wheels look fine here. The stickers are, again, another point for me. While I do like them, and it adds a bit of personality to this van, I realize most will find them quite tacky. But that's okay-- I've been told I have terrible modding taste when it comes to stickers and decals. Oh well.
All in all, I do quite like this example. Would I sport it on the daily? Probably not, but I'd definitely have a modified one or three in my collection. I would want one with something more than the stock powerplant though. Perhaps a Porsche 3.6, or even an EJ25T out of a Subaru 2.5RS would be sufficient. Just let mine have more power than stock.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: VW Type 2 Bus

Old VWs are not common here at all; they rust out amazingly quick. These example is clearly no different. When I first spotted this beast earlier in the summer of 2011, I only had a brief look at it. Luckily, I hit an amazing day this fall that netted me four or five different cars, and this tired VW was one of those cars.
Sitting in the parking lot of one of Uptown's newest apartment/living areas, this Type 2 was all alone in its spot. I could quickly say that other cars didn't want to be near it for they would catch the rust bug that plagued this example of a once-awesome utility vehicle. From a distance, this cult classic certainly looked pretty decent to the untrained eye. Up close.. oh boy.
Rust literally is eating this poor van alive. I don't think this thing had one straight panel on it. The doors, the tailgate/hatch, the bumpers, even the wheels. Rust was everywhere and sadly that wasn't all that surprising. What is surprising is that shortly after I shot this wretched example of such an iconic vehicle, it was moving under its own power-- on the highway. Kind scary, when you think about it. I don't think they could comfortably do highway speeds when they were new. I shudder to think how this one behaves in traffic, much less on the highway.
While I am quite sad with the van's condition, if there's one thing I do like about this exampe is the color combination. Red and white just works. Obviously, I would fix it up if I could, but judging by the copious amounts of terminal cancer, this van is likely only good for salvaging interior parts from. Otherwise, and I rarely see this-- its only good for crusher fodder. Seriously, I have seen nicer examples in U-Pull-It-- and that says something.