Nah, the “maximum and cruising speed” of the 1962 bus was 59 mph, as written in the owner’s manual ! Of course, the roof rack may have invalidated that figure.
If they had the 1500cc engine, then the factory stated max speed was 65, If they had the 40 hp 1200, then it was 59 mph. These look like they were 1500s when new. The older 36 and 30 hp ones were of course slower. The very first buses topped at 49 mph.
I got a ride in a double cab 1500 once, and it rolled across I80 right at 65 on the level.
I’m going to rant a bit…I had a few VW Beetles and a Bus during my younger days. It was rare to have a roof rack then, mostly because they are a aerodynamic drag that you could ill afford with even the might 40hp motor. Today every restored VW has one which are supplied new by the after market. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does.
True. It was rare to see a rack on a bus, since it had so much room inside. And certainly not like the one on the red bus; there was never such a thing back then.
I did buy a factory rack for my ’64 Beetle, as I moved a lot and it allowed me to transport all my worldly possessions, including my bike.
It was common on Westfalia campers. I have a ‘67 SO 42 that was ordered with a pop top, camper windows, and the roof rack. It was picked up in Hannover, Germany by Americans that travelled Europe and shipped back to the States. My parents bought it in Dec. ‘67 in Washington State and It has been in the family ever since!
If you look at split windshield VW typ II’s today you’d think every one came with opening front windows, they didn’t ~ that was an unheard of option in the U.S.A. until fairly recently .
Same with roof racks and ladders .
Go look at old magazines or movies, they’ll show you how it really was .
Typical of most Beetles & Buses I’ve seen restored. People mostly never bought all of the roof racks, bud vases, etc, but try to find a restored one without those trinkets now.
I’ll take Volkswagen for $200, Alex. What is the fastest, most comfortable way to take an old VW bus across Colorado? 🙂
I’m jealous….looks like two project cars instead of just one!!!!
That’s a good percentage of someone’s retirement plan being transported right there.
Great capture 🙂
The two VW are worth more than the truck/trailer towing them 😉
Who says that a Microbus can’t go 70 mph?
LOL! That was going to be my comment. The only way these can go over 50mph!
Nah, the “maximum and cruising speed” of the 1962 bus was 59 mph, as written in the owner’s manual ! Of course, the roof rack may have invalidated that figure.
Interesting ~ I wonder if maybe their owners drove them West and are not wanting to drive home again ~ not California license tags .
I’ve driven old VW Typ II’s across America, if stock they’ll easily do 65, much faster isn’t wise due to handling issues at speed .
-Nate
My guess they attended a recent Buses by the Beach car show in Socal. Now going back home.
That’s a Mexican “Auto Antiguo” plate on the rearmost VW, for what it’s worth.
Thank you Sir !.
-Nate
If they had the 1500cc engine, then the factory stated max speed was 65, If they had the 40 hp 1200, then it was 59 mph. These look like they were 1500s when new. The older 36 and 30 hp ones were of course slower. The very first buses topped at 49 mph.
I got a ride in a double cab 1500 once, and it rolled across I80 right at 65 on the level.
I’m going to rant a bit…I had a few VW Beetles and a Bus during my younger days. It was rare to have a roof rack then, mostly because they are a aerodynamic drag that you could ill afford with even the might 40hp motor. Today every restored VW has one which are supplied new by the after market. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does.
True. It was rare to see a rack on a bus, since it had so much room inside. And certainly not like the one on the red bus; there was never such a thing back then.
I did buy a factory rack for my ’64 Beetle, as I moved a lot and it allowed me to transport all my worldly possessions, including my bike.
It was common on Westfalia campers. I have a ‘67 SO 42 that was ordered with a pop top, camper windows, and the roof rack. It was picked up in Hannover, Germany by Americans that travelled Europe and shipped back to the States. My parents bought it in Dec. ‘67 in Washington State and It has been in the family ever since!
Yeah ;
If you look at split windshield VW typ II’s today you’d think every one came with opening front windows, they didn’t ~ that was an unheard of option in the U.S.A. until fairly recently .
Same with roof racks and ladders .
Go look at old magazines or movies, they’ll show you how it really was .
-Nate
I wonder if they’ll have sprouted surf boards once they wind up for sale.
Typical of most Beetles & Buses I’ve seen restored. People mostly never bought all of the roof racks, bud vases, etc, but try to find a restored one without those trinkets now.
Groovy man. Peace out!
I had a ’59 with 1200cc. It could do 60 on level ground, and it even flashed a nice little green light in the speedometer to say it was happy!
(Yes, I know what it really meant, but I didn’t care back then.)
Rather than ‘Night Fever’, these images remind me of Canned Heat.
Love that! Perfect connection.
When I was a kid, I was convinced that Alan Wilson was the voice for Kermit the Frog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBhpiUFSYWI
All of those things sort of blended together when I was 10.
Sounds like an “intro tune” for a show, back in the day.