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'63 Volkswagen Riviera Camper, Rat Rod, Rat Bus on 2040-cars

Year:1963 Mileage:99999
Location:

United States

United States

Okay, I bought this one about a year ago with big plans for it, but I’ve since found and bought the Walk-Thru that I’ve wanted so I’m going to pass this one on. It’s had some pretty shoddy body work done to it and was generally a mechanical disaster when I got it. 
If you plan on restoring it, you’re going to want to replace the inner and outer rockers on both sides. The outers are pretty solid thanks to all the Bondo somebody packed into them, but they did a crap job shaping and sanding. There’s obvious Bondo at the left rear vent and wheel well, as well as at the “hand hold” on the rear hatch.  
The floors are surprisingly solid as you can see in the pics. Most of the undercarriage is in very good shape as well, save the rockers and one outrigger, also shown in the pics.
The brakes and wiring are all sorted now, as in it’s safe and legal. 
It’s got working Headlights, High Beams, Tail lights, Brake lights and Turn Signals.
I’ve done a good bit of work on the engine and it runs like a Bat out of Hell. I don’t know what it is, but I’d guess an 1835cc based on the power it has. It was reported to be a fresh rebuild by the guy I bought it from. I’d be inclined to believe him. It runs very strong and tight. It climbs hills like a Chevy and cruises down the highway at a pretty good clip. The speedo works to within a few mph. It says 62 and the gps says 65. It will cruise 70 easily, but with no interior and the awning windows flapping around in the wind the noise gets a bit obnoxious at that speed. I recently put a fresh distributor and a brand new Bosch Alternator and a new fan on it. It’s got a brand new higher end battery too. The front tires are in very good condition, probably 80%. The back tires are not as good at around 40%. The wipers work when they feel like it.
The ride is solid and awesome. The suspension seems in great shape. It hugs the road nicely and it turns like it’s on rails. It’s a blast to drive (I have done a few trips to the Redwoods and up and down the CA and OR coasts in it).
It’s got Stainless Steel Gimbaled Marine Drink Holders! …and a Parcel tray stereo mount that I have never seen in 30 years of owning bus’s. I don’t know if it was factory or aftermarket or custom made, but it’s a great fit and it’s really nice the dash has never been butchered. The rear window rail is there and in perfect condition. It also comes with a pre-cracked passenger side windshield. All the other glass you’re going to have to crack yourself. And yes, the roof rack stays with it.
I have over 100 pictures that cover just about every inch of the good, the bad, and the ugly. email me at cynicalsailor@yahoo.com for the link.
The way Bus prices are going I’m half tempted to keep it for later, but I could use the money to fix up the walk-thru. 
All in all, this is a great Rat-Rod just the way it is, or if you’re looking for a resto project, there's a whole lot of good Bus here and it’s the last year (early '63) of the small rear window and is a pretty rare model. It’s currently registered and has a clear Oregon title.
Thanks for looking and happy bidding!

Auto blog

How VW's hyper-efficient XL1 will influence the next Golf

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Predictions for the next Golf include a variable-compression engine, an electric flywheel and an electric turbo, along with taking greater advantage of coasting. Volkswagen could be getting help from Audi with the electric turbo and variable-compression engine and electric turbo, with Audi already having shown off the former and brand technical boss Ulrich Hackenberg confirming the VW Group is working on the latter. It's possible the flywheel system could also have the mark of The Four Rings: Autocar mentions a British system that Volvo is testing, but the R18 e-tron Quattro racer has been using one for years.
The need for such features is because the company won't be able to net enough future gains from just aerodynamic improvements and advanced materials. As price will be a factor (the regulations are expected to "add hundreds of euros to the cost of building a car"), adding much more aluminum or carbon fiber is an unlikely option. We're told the next generation won't be longer or wider than the current car, and being Europe's most popular model, VW doesn't want to make a big bet on futuristic aero, but the report says the MkVIII will "likely" have "the most aerodynamic treatment yet seen on a production vehicle," the area where lessons learned from the XL1 will truly be seen.

This Or That: 1987 VW Vanagon Syncro vs. 1987 Land Rover Defender [w/poll]

Thu, 13 Nov 2014

As I scoured auction sites and classified ads for the perfect vehicle to take into battle with Autoblog Associate Editor Brandon Turkus, I knew I needed to find something unique. You see, I'm currently 0-2 at winning a round of This or That, in which two of our editors agree on a category, choose a side, and argue it out over a (mostly) friendly chain of emails.
The first time we did this, my chosen Fiat 500 Abarth took about a third of the popular vote in our reader poll. The second time, my lovely 1980 Oldsmobile 442 did just a little bit better against a 1989 BMW 635 CSi. Despite holding the opinion that my automotive choices, though perhaps a little bit more... obscure than my fellow editors, are still better, an outright win would go a long way toward boosting my vehicular self worth a few notches upward.
With all of that out of the way, even if three isn't my lucky number after all, I go into battle against Brandon knowing full well that I've made the perfect choice: A 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro. My rough-and-tumble van/'ute has a formidable opponent in the form of a 1987 Land Rover Defender, which, truth be told, is exactly what I was expecting from Turkus, a self-proclaimed Rover aficionado.

2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition brings exclusivity to the granddaddy of hot hatches

Thu, 07 Feb 2013

The Volkswagen booth at this year's Chicago Auto Show was filled with various special edition models of the Beetle and GTI. In addition to the GTI Wolfsburg Edition, the Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition helps to wrap up the 2013 model year as VW readies the all-new MkVII Golf next year.
Only 3,000 of the GTI Driver's Edition models will be produced in four-door body style only, and the available color palette will be limited to just Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray and Deep Black. The package will come standard with the GTI's Sunroof and Navigation package, and it will add unique features such as the 18-inch "Laguna" wheels, a golf-ball shift knob, partial leather seats and red-stitching on the carpeted floor mats. Buyers of this package will also get a certificate of authenticity and some GTI swag such as a hat, keychain and parking sign.
Starting price for the 2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition is $29,695 with the six-speed manual and $30,795 if you choose the DSG - both prices exclude destination charges.