Should I Buy A Volkswagen Bus? - Buses By The Bridge at Lake Havasu City Arizona BBB
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
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My name is Dave and I travel with my dog Bella in a 1987 Coachmen Classic Class A Motorhome. This is our tour across America. So join us if you’re open to travel, fun, excitement, hiking & exploring. Wish us luck on this adventure! Maybe we’ll see you down the road sometime. Happy trails!
My channel is about full time RV Living in an older RV while keeping the wheels rolling on a budget. I do the repairs, updates and upgrades myself. I’ve become my own RV Mechanic/Medic! I seek boondocking opportunities every chance I can and power the RV with 500 watts of solar and approximately 500 amp hours of batteries. RV Resorts are just not our style!
Find us on Facebook here - / davesrvlife
Rewatching several videos of yours. I’ve never seen a VW with attached camper like that orange one; pretty cool…😎
Best year for the Baywindow was 1972. It was the most produced year. And also first year the T-4 engine was used in US.
Dave there is a place between Dinwittie VA and Suffolk VA that has several acres of VW busses
Thank you. I injoy stuff like this.
Glad you enjoy it!
Dude....EVERYONE wants a barn find....I was at that show, entry #514...it was a lot of fun.....I'm glad u were able to stop by...😊
Great video! Really makes me miss all my old VW's! Still have a couple! 1969 Squareback that really needs alot of work and a 1957 oval window Baja bug with a full roll cage! It was actually built by a racing team in Arizona! It needs a motor! I know the guy that owns that double door from Tulsa! He goes to Havasu every year! He is a great guy! Known him probably 30 years or more!
I had a 1972 ? VW van. It was a Kombi model. Bare bones. I put in a box I made of plywood so I could sleep in it. I drove it to California. They didn’t call it stealth camping back then. It was hopelessly under powered and I couldn’t do speed limit 55mph against the wind. I traded it in for a Chevy Van with a V8 engine which I drove cross country. The only knock I ever got was in Yosemite when the Ranger knocked and said I know you’re in there. Leave tomorrow!
That's the same deflating feeling I'm experiencing now looking at Class-C's and B's. Talk about sticker shock. I'd get an older one, but not sure I want something with high mileage since I'm not a mechanic. I'm currently towing a teardrop, but thinking about the future and would want something bigger.
1967 was last year for split window. There’s a VW bus graveyard outside ft worth.
You already have the van at home! If you towed that stripped out...what are you thinking?!? Are you losing it???
My van serves a good purpose and I enjoy it, but it is not an object of my hobby. :)
most of them were on the rough side, apparently, no one believes in paint, lol looked more like a vw salvage yard. 42 grand should have at least been showroom perfect, people are so delusional about old cars sometimes.
That is the wrong place to try to find one for sale, for sure! Go online, and open that rabbit hole! Good luck!
Absolutely loved this video, loved seeing all the "Beetle Buses"!! Here where I live in Australia, there are still Beetle buses but trust me, the prices that you found on those ones there are cheap compared to what can be found here!!! Oh, and some aren't even working!!
still got ours worth more than a pension lol been in the family from almost new never been welded 1500 ac motor last of them and 12v elec
Dave...you are losing your mind!
Keeps your eyes open on the way back to PA and all points in between for one where the price would be abit more inline with what you want to spend. Your in an area now where these things are priced extremely high for what they are.
Yes you should.
GOOD MORNING BEAST DAVE BELLA UA-cam CANADA ONTARIO VIDEO 🇨🇦🇨🇦❄️❄️☃️☃️🎅🎅🐕
In 1971, I took a break from graduate school and bought a 1969 VW bus ($1,750). Took the seats out, put two fold-up aluminum cots in, make curtains for the windows and lit out with my wife on a trip around the US, camping out of and sleeping in the bus. Left with $600 on a $10 per day budget (includes gas) for two months. Came back with about $100 cash and about the same amount charged to our credit card. Great memories. Traveled 12,500 miles...out west via the southern route through the Big Easy, TX and the Big Bend area, Las Vegas then to LA, up the Pacific coast through San Francisco, Portland and Seattle to Vancouver, BC. Across to Calgary, then down to Salt Lake City, east to SE Minnesota to Chicago, down to St Louis the back to Athens (yes I'm a BULLDOG...GO DAWGS). Had stored our maps, diary (including what we had seen/visited, the route we took, expenditures and morning cash remaining), camping gear and other items in the barn here at our home. In 2004, a fire totally destroyed the barn. Fortunately, we found the color slides in a storage area in the home we have lived in since 1982. I hate I don't have the details of the trip to review here in my retirement years but truly glad we were able to take the trip in the first place. Thanks Dave for rekindling these memories.
Dave, if you are truly interested in a bus, check out the channel DREW'S LENS. He has one he built out and drove on a cross country trip. He has a contact or two in the "needs a little love" ones. Just a thought. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
YES !!! get a BUS we used to have one my parents got all ten of us siblings in it we would go to the coast ( California) Santa Cruz etc.
2:27 the red bus was me !
Energizer Battery Bought His House and His Original Garage. Then He got a Really Nice House on what We Call The Mack Road.
Should you buy one? Absolutely!!! I was looking at one but then backed out about 5 years ago because I thought $5,000 for by my bus was too much. After a week of thinking about it, I went for it. It's been one of the BEST things I ever did. It was fun to work on and see the progress from when I bought it to now. Thankfully I bought it when I did because my $5,000 bus in it's condition back then would be easily a $12,000 bus now. After I put money into it, replacing all mechanical parts, rebuild the trans, etc it's now a $20,000 bus & will hopefully be passed down to my kids when I'm gone. I can't go anywhere without hearing stories from people, pictures being taken, and it brings so much joy to people.
At 15:10 that's actually a child cot that goes over the front seats. Kids can sleep there but lots of people use that area for storage. As far as the bed goes, the back seat folds out and aligns with the rear cushion behind the back seat.
Edit: The newer buses you were talking about are "bay window buses" - the "early bays" are 69' - 72' (turn signal lights are down low) & "late bays" are 73' - 79' (turn signal lights are square and beside the air vents in the front). Early bays also have the small taillights and late bays have bigger rectangle taillights. 1972 has some variations though since this was the year they changed styles & have both some early & late bay things - some have the low turn signals but big taillights in the back. There are many differences them but at the end of the day, they are all awesome!
Proof of the ol' adage: "one man's junk is another man's treasure" ..... For your sake, I'm glad you didn't find your 'treasure'
For my sake? You're glad I didn't find the next object of my hobby?
@@DavesRVLife lol.. Nah, I just don't wanna see you suffer the misery that often accompanies the misadventures of maintaining and driving an antiquated heap of moving parts..... I care about you, man!
My father was.killed.in a VW bus in 1965, when I was 2. Nothing in the front for.protection. So I have a distain for them. But you do you Dave. You do it so well. Be safe. And 🧘🙏🏻🌎☮️
Sorry :) ....understandable. Thanks!
@@DavesRVLife maybe get a toad. The motor in the coachman seems strong you could probably pretty much tow what you want. Well within reason of course. 🧘🙏🏻🌎☮️
Well Blue Dan Van has been driving his Ford van awhile heavy on the Ford.
Dan's van is a Dodge. :)
@@DavesRVLife yes it's Dodge, BUTT ya gotta no, Dans Blue van wishes it was a Ford, yet would settle no being a chevy
I have a ? Dave at our age do we really want a project if you do I'm proud of you... we've worked all our life's it time to just have fun and experiences
It's not work if you love what you do! :)
Hey Dave.thanks for the video so I don’t have to go down there LOL.
FYI,1967 is the last year off the bus(split window)
1968 and newer are vans.
Thanks for the info!
Wow I Notice they Spray the Hell No Pund intended Out of the Skies Down There.. Cra Cra... 😉🙃
Happy Bus hunting... the prices are so crazy high.... better off finding one in somebody's back yard... Seriously!!
Answer no but Canadian instead
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Your about 15 years late to the party . Glad I bought mine back in the day before instagram made them so hip
Hi Dave Bella dog,ha ha ha feelmore ha ha welcome to the world of fire balls I’ve had two kombi an a ts fastback my first kombi turn in fireball one that’s was a fully restored 65 split window ha ,then number two 1974 was a good bus ,van, ex post van Australian government job,then the ts fastback that was ok lucky i sold that two weeks later the new owners came to see thinking I’d buy fireball number two back ha,ha,I told them there money didn’t last as well but never mind (didn’t get there money back) I did hitch a ride across Australia in an old kombi with four other hippies with the fuel tank on the roof rack with a garden hose for a fuel line , I was waiting for fireball three ,we got a towed over the great divide mountain range by a GTO the kombi just stop in gear going up now there was six of us hitch hiking no joke we got towed over that range faster than that kombi had ever gone I was in the back with a young hippie girl when we realised we were flying along an we stop doing what we where doing an started shitting our self the last time I seen that kombi was in a pub car park with the motor sitting underneath a blanket behind the kombi van,bus ,now I’ve stop smoking wacky backey I buy Toyota hiace two litter diesels camper vans an I’ve been all over Australia without a great fireball chasing me ha,ha,ha,,an baja VW with the EV west Electric motor in it and you might sell me on a VW again but towing a fireball for get it anyhow guys take care remember keep off the grass 🇦🇺🇺🇸🐕🚌☄️🔥💰💵💳🔧🛠🧰⚒⛓💣🚬🪦VW👌👍✌️ha,ha,ha
No
Great tour of the Volkswagen busses. My very first car was a red bug. Can't remember the year. Late 60s or early 70s. I was just out of high school mid 80s. Wish I remembered the year of the bug.
I need a car , mine is running but has 153000. And all used cars are about 8 to 10 thousand and they have more miles then mine.
I know what your saying. Wasn't but 5 years ago 10K buck would bye you a very nice used vehicle in the 50/75k mile range. Hopefully you can keep yours going for awhile and maybe these prices will taper off some.
You are totally unrealistic thinking you can find anything in that price range. I got out of air cooled VW’s years ago when quality replacement parts started to disappear. Kustom Coach Works started turning out restorations for $100,000 years ago with a year wait list and anything repairable was bought anywhere in the country that was under $10,000. A decent rebuilt motor is going to be over $4,000 and a transaxle close to that by the time you get the mounts and hardware.
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As you've discovered, BBB is NOT the place to shop for a Bus. Most of the time it's word of mouth or keep your eyes wide open, develope a rubber neck style of driving the back roads of the country. Good luck! They're still out there.
There is a Gospel Singing Group that used to tell a story called Ralph Bennet 's Volkswagen. The name of the Group was called Wendy Bagwell and The Sunlighters. It is a funny Story. I think it is still on UA-cam.
26:58 That's a cool lesson for vehicle shopping. Myself? I don't even check the oil myself. I just can't get myself to do car stuff on my own. Oh well. ;)
Johnie Cash song,One piece at a time...about a car he built from parts while working in a car assembly plant in Detroit...hahaha
If you can find a solid one with little rust or no rust dings or dents even better if it has a decent interior and paint job. Then I say go for it. Even if the engine and tranny need work those can be easily fixed or replaced. They can cost some money upfront but will reward you with plenty of Miles of Smiles.
Split windows are great, but in australia they bring around 80-100k aud for a good one. 🇦🇺🇦🇺
I will keep my eye out for you in Ohio/Kentucky Dave! Great video thx for sharing 😀
My brother and I both had a VW bus in the 70’s and I drove both of them thousands of miles. If you like to tinker with things, they are the perfect vehicle but their reliability (as with bugs) are pretty low. As pricey as parts are these days, domestic and Japanese car parts are high enough not to mention VWs. In this world now where people are in such a hurry to get somewhere, you’d get run off the road in a bus, even on back roads. They are cool but grossly underpowered and in an accident, there’s nothing between you and the vehicle in front of you, they wouldn’t be so light to tow either.✌🏼
You make very good points, and I agree except for the last one. The are quite light to tow compared to most vehicle being towed these days.
@@DavesRVLife most importantly, I enjoyed your tour through the VW van rally, it brought back some good memories. I admire your mechanical savvy, something I truly lack. Thanks for ALL of your great videos!
My heart aches!! I had a '68 bus for MANY years- sadly it's gone now- 😌 (long story- it still hurts my heart to even talk about it) I also had a '66 bug (I used to say they were the only sports car & motorhome I could afford when my kids were little😉)
The bus was in my life until a few years ago- I REALLY miss it😣
ManyBlessings to You!
p.s. I had a sticker on mine that said "0 to 55 in 11 minutes" after I put that on there, much to my surprise, most people would smile when they passed instead of flip me off😉
I saw a 1969 model in pigeon forge last summer and it was nice. $40,000.
C as n they be flat towed?
Have you talked to blue van Dan..he had a couple shells and part ones in cali. When he moved he parked them at a buddies house not sure if he still has them..but could always ask.
I think a Nissan hard body truck 4x4 would be a good tow vehicle
Bad place to buy a vw bus. People there looking for a rich sucker.
Don't do it
I was stuck in Chugwater, Wyoming for 2 weeks
Cheap sweaty blown up bug…engine build over winter. 3.0 L sleeper assembly and go out to eat v8 for shock value. ;)
Wow, that was fun. My first rig was a 1962 VW Bug green with 1600cc, or the 1200cc engine don't remember off the top of my head. Was going to go with some friends of mine to Woodstock, but he had an issue and we didn't make it. Well, good luck finding a toad to pull. As always Dave and Bellia, "Enjoy the Adventure." 👏Bella!! 🤠👍✌
Fun video Dave....eye opener too! $42K for a V dub van! My uncle and I built VW trikes 20 years ago. We would find the old vans and bugs and cut them up for the rear chassis. Looks like we should have been restoring them! :( But even at that time the prices for parts were going crazy, engine rebuild kits, replacement parts. But I guess that goes with everything in the last 20 years, can't afford any of those toys now a days! Be safe, have fun!
Yes for cool factor. Know you will be breaking down.
Please don't do it Dave! Those engines are not water-cooled! 😁🚙🚐🚍
Just say NO
An enthusiast gathering is not a good place to get a deal. You need to find someone tired of the project or needs to put food on the table. Just wait a few months. Will be plenty of desparate people who will need your help.
Finish the Coachman 😎
The big stuff is done, what remains is rainy day projects. I need fun stuff to do! :)
well i wished i would have met you my son and i were there sat at around 1:00
Those VW busses are very popular, I think you'd make some money on the flip.
You’d be MUCH better off buying a V/W sandrail!
We used to take a Beetle and make Dune Buggies. You need a Dune Buggy, I think that’s be fun in Q. My brother has a repro body of a 1952 MG TD on a Beetle chassis, did it in 1978. Still has it. Fun car.
When I was younger I really like the dune buggies. These days, I'd rather have a complete stock beetle or bus.
All easy to hot wire....I did get it back..messed up ..sold same bucks ...!!!!???
oval windows are safari.
I just looked up 3 vw bus in my area that need work highest price was 4,000.
What area would that be please?
@@TreeLBollingTreeMan Arkansas
@@eliciamccoy3326 Thanks, that pin-points the area real good seeing that there's 53,179 square miles in Arkansas.
the split window Volkswagen was not a single model year. The split window was offered from 1939 until 1952-
we have a VW connection, so if you're truly looking for one.. send me msg. I'll send you name & digits :) Hey don't forget to contact Paul Berger aka Bread Trucker - he's VW dude
I'll talk to you when I get back to PA. I have been considering Paul's orange Beetle.
Wow very interesting
Dave. Loved seeing the VW buses. Check out the VW bus collection of the comedian Gabriel Iglesias.
You might wanna check out Brent's van life on UA-cam B4 you invest in the money pit... 👍
I saw 3 vw two for 4k and one for 2500.00
like you said dave, you need to come to your sences.
Nice walkabout Mate. Have a good one Dave. Hi Bella!!!
Thanks 👍
I'm confused, couldn't you simply tow your van or your Maverick?
Yes, but neither are a classic VW.
I’ve had 3 they can be money pits please be careful lots of love from the uk❤
My last on was a Devon moonraker air cooled 1980 loved it ❤
👍
Certainly
Wow lots of nice rigs there. The buses are expensive alright.
I have always wanted a bus. I told myself I would wait till later. Now I am 63 and they are just to expensive. Maybe I should sell my Harley ?
My Street Glide Special is long gone. I've rotated my toys out! ..lol
@@DavesRVLife I'm thinking keep my Harley for bar hopping as i'm also 60+ like @lifetomyyears1649 but getting one of these instead of the trike that had been my plan for myself and mi esposa.
I love VW's I've had two of them in my life I had a 62 that had no floorboards had a 2 by 4 going across when I was living in Florida and I would put my feet down and act like Fred flintstone lol then I had a Volkswagen rabbit. I'm thinking about getting a Volkswagen trike and pulling it behind whatever I get I looked at a van today but I couldn't step up into it I need something that I can walk up into anyway have fun,
I have a fondness for the old Tradesman 100's, (having lived and traveled in one in the late 70's), 3 on the tree with a 225 slant 6, so I guess I can understand folks liking the "VW bus" thing but they are definitely not for me. Sad day when they stopped making those slant 6's. Easy to work on, never fail you and one of the toughest motors, Chrysler ever built.
No.
Hi dave 👍 thanks again for sharing this video update. 👋 had a 2 vw beetle .and 1 vw camper .mm. looking back which I had ket one / but that life. 👍den and sue 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🚌🚌🚌
If parts are not difficult to get, go for it.
Almost every part is readily available.
My Mom's Uncle used to run a Garage and He fixed pretty much anything and He worked on a lot of Volkswagens. He Restored Cars from up North that had rusted Bodies and Good Engines. He is Dead now, but He used to Have a Great Big Mercy Monarch. I don't remember what Model it was, but it was a really Nice Car for The Times. Gas was really Cheap back then and I am sure that it had a Huge V-8 Engine in it.
I know the enthusiasts will disagree, and have good reason to do so, but vintage VWs, not unlike vintage Airstreams often drift into the realm of over overpriced nostalgia. Get that cargo trailer Dave. Jusay'n, You'll have far less buyer's regret.
Got an s10 giving to us and we like it. Extended cab with a cap. But the transmission went out but luckily I have a welder with us and was able to flat tow it to camp
What a fun place to hang out... Great video Dave, I enjoyed it. I love the classics. 😁👍
I'm not sure Dave, why you would want to buy a VW when you have that nice van at home waiting patiently for your return . Louise
My van serves a good purpose and I enjoy it, but it is not an object of my hobbie.
@@DavesRVLife Oh hobby, sorry I missed that part. Have fun with it.
Dave if you find one maybe with a bad engine you might get it cheap! If you did Id swap a Subaru engine and trans in it! Then it will MOVE! LOL! Good luck
lol..I'd rather go slower and keep that VW sound! :)
@@DavesRVLife lol ok!
Nice video Dave… Yeah the Volkswagen buses are very expensive the 23 window Volkswagen bus ring in $24-$50,000… Crazy I’ve had a lot of those in my time I have a 57 Volkswagen bus when I was married to my first wife and I actually lived in it so I’ve done this living vehicles 40 years ago and didn’t even know it… Be safe … Talk soon… Tim and Jill
very cool
If that’s what you’re really looking for it’ll come be patient! 😎
Dave.. what are you thinking?
Not that I'm against VW's, I'm working on my grandson's Baja Bug now; I raced them off road in the 70's..
But towing a bus? You already have a perfectly good, Chevy / GM van.. (it already has a "cap" 8-)
Put on a tow bar & trailering lighting mod, a few tools in it for your RV repair business, put in neutral & you're done.
Anyhow.. If you insist on a vintage VW, make sure you buy something with a '71 or preferably newer motor (dual port, better cooling & oil pump) and preferably an IRS transmission..
And nothing that has been lowered. You're forever driving into sites that require ground clearance..
Maybe a Baja Bug would work.. if you insist.. 8-)
My van is a 2000 Ford E250 and weighs about twice that of a bus. Point taken on the better motor and trans. I have no interest in something that has had suspension mods! :)
Hi Dave.
Hi Debra!
Awesome video Dave, thank you
Great video
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