Mid-Engine Killer VW Bus Motorcycle Hauler

[Lobo2me]

While sitting in my doctor’s office waiting to have my head examined, I was daydreaming about building a wild VW Bus. I envisioned a setup with a mid-ship 911 Carrera 3.2 engine, Porsche front and rear suspensions, and the ability to haul a motorcycle.

But once again, my creative ambitions outpaced my skill set. I enjoyed the challenge, but please don’t scrutinize too closely!

Donor kits included Revell’s 1:24 scale VW T1, Samba Bus, and Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe.

Body mods include cutting off the roof and parts of the sides, installing rear fenders from a ‘32 Ford up front, and rear fenders from Lindberg’s ’38 Custom Ford Van in back. I crafted side breather scoops and a diamond plate bed with stowable motorcycle ramps. The engine is fully detailed. A competition gas cap was located on the driver's side, the doors were hinged (replacing the kit’s fragile plastic pins with piano wire), storage bins flank the bed, the exhaust exits above the rear bumper, and it got a sunroof. 

Paints include Tamiya, Corral Blue TS-41, Pure White TS-26, and Pearl White TS-45 for the exterior. The stripes are Brilliant Orange TS-56 and 1/64^th black chart tape. The undercarriage is Semi-Gloss Black TS-29, with suspension components in Semi-Gloss Bright Gun Metal TS-100, Titanium Silver TS-88, Titanium Gold TS-87, and Gun Metal TS-38. Highlights are achieved with various Testors paints, Tamiya Panel Line Accent, Revell Chrome, Molotow Chrome pen, finished with two coats of Pearl Clear and three coats of TS-13 Clear. 

Full disclosure, I couldn't find an appropriate 1:24 scale motorcycle kit, so I resorted to a ‘store-bought' fully assembled Honda RC213V. But I did alter the color scheme to match. 

Thanks for looking, enjoy!

Edited 2 hours ago by Lobo2me
Fixed a couple pics and added motorcycle details

[Spex84]

Super cool idea! Lots of thoughtful little details in the engineering and detailing, and it really pops with that motorcycle on the back and the blue/orange color contrast. Nicely done!

[Lobo2me]

12 minutes ago, Spex84 said:

Super cool idea! Lots of thoughtful little details in the engineering and detailing, and it really pops with that motorcycle on the back and the blue/orange color contrast. Nicely done!

I appreciate your kind words and thoughtful review. Motor on!

[espo]

Realistic looking body design and paint. I agree with Chris' remarks on the engineering of the drive train. Like the safari windshield and the roll back sunroof. 

[meechum68]

I absolutely love this custom lil Bug Van!! Every bit of it is so cleanly done, and the bike as well. You knocked it out of the park!!

Love how you shoehorned the Boxer into it nice and clean!  Like it was meant to be there. 

[Redisetta]

Now that’s kool. Very creative 

[Lobo2me]

3 hours ago, meechum68 said:

I absolutely love this custom lil Bug Van!! Every bit of it is so cleanly done, and the bike as well. You knocked it out of the park!!

Love how you shoehorned the Boxer into it nice and clean!  Like it was meant to be there. 

Thank you, Michael. The pursuit of creating something unique and innovative for vehicles I'd love to drive keeps me going. Keep building!

[Lobo2me]

1 hour ago, Redisetta said:

Now that’s kool. Very creative 

I appreciate that, Ray.

[Zippi]

Pretty kewl looking build there Steve.

[Nosferatu]

Nice work! I love it! VW's are so versatile!

Dave

[Ulf]

Great idea, very nice implementation and above all fantastic colors (shade and combination), also nice photos.