Driving a Volkswagen Split-window Kombi!

To mark 70 years since Volkswagen Transporter was launched, I took this Kombi for a drive around Sydney. It drove there from the UK decades ago! It was converted by Devon Conversions. Confusingly, this is a Volkswagen Type 2 T1.
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Don't forget to like the video if you like it, and share with your friends if you really like it! Thank you all.

[@macgvrs]

We had a 67' T2. I had a repair manual, and in the introduction part of it, the author noted that there was very little between you and the vehicle ahead of you. He suggested driving it as though you were an Aztec sacrifice strapped to the front of the vehicle. I must relate a funny event with that van. These vehicles have a long clutch cable with a seal at the engine end to keep water out. On ours, the seal had worn out. One cold winter morning my mother came in to tell my that the van wouldn't go. She had pushed the clutch in and put it in first but the clutch wouldn't release. I looked out in time to see the van taking off on its own. It meandered across the lawn and got stuck in the snow. Water had frozen inside the clutch cable. Heat from the engine melted the ice and gently released the clutch allowing it to drive away on its own. I guess it could be called an early self-driving vehicle. It was far less fun getting it off the lawn than is was watching it drive on to the lawn, all by itself.

[@snugbug5067]

😄😄

[@dorkomatic]

The manual would've been "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" (a manual of step by step procedures for the compleat idiot) - by John Muir. A cult publication for a cult vehicle!

[@simonredfern2584]

Always loved these. On lowering suspension, I totally agree, lowering is the quickest and sometimes the most expensive way of utterly ruining a vehicle. Top work mr hubnut

[@millomweb]

That's what I said about his recent Cortina video ! (About unlowering it and softer, normal springs.)

[@leonardosimm3536]

My parents had one of these in 1969 - 71. I believe it was ten, possibly eleven years old then - had the 1200 engine. They used to take us on holiday into North Wales with it; two adults, five kids, a dog and two tents. I was only five at the time and used to get a bit anxious from my vantage point on the back shelf/bed about whether we were going to get up the next hill. First gear, walking pace at times, and a long line of traffic behind us...I'd love one now, though.

[@tilerman]

Here's my story of owning a T2 Split screen. In 1992 i noticed a partly collapsed garage at the bottom of a huge overgrown garden in London. Popped in to have a look and inside was a 1962 T2. It had obviously been sitting for many years. I knocked on the door and got chatting to the owner, a very pleasant retired doctor. Turn out he brought the van new in 1962, drove it for 4 years, put it in the garage where it sat for 26 years until i saw it! The old man had completely forgotten about it. Anyways, i asked if he was willing to sell it to me, which he did, for the princley sum of £50! Van needed a new engine as it was completeley seized, brakes, tyres etc etc. The bodywork was solid, surface rust only. Got van resprayed, i made a new interior and back on the road. It was a real headturner as i kept it original. Drove van all over Eurpope and the UK for 10 years when i myself put it in a garage for about12 years. Van was still immaculate and perfect when i sold it in about 2006 for £17,000! Loved that van and have many fond memories of driving through the continent.

[@steverandall5814]

My parents bought a brand new '67 deluxe split window, LHD in San Francisco...and somehow I lived to tell about it. This was the last year for splitties in the US and this video was a trip down memory lane! With 53 mouse-power, two-tone paint, split front seats, and rear windows that only tipped out (backwards) four fingers worth, we got to see much of the US at 45 miles per hour (73 kph). We strained to hear the single speaker AM radio over the engine running near redline in second gear, with Mom's right foot mashing the accelerator pedal solidly to the floor, lest she lose momentum going up a grade and suffer the humiliation of being passed by a bicycle. With tucked-in rear wheels, and the side aerodynamics of a wooden sailing ship, these were really prone to being blown from lane to lane on the highway if someone sneezed in the car next to you. I remember them not being allowed on the Golden Gate Bridge if the wind reached a certain speed because they would get blown into oncoming traffic. But all their shortcomings aside...two million Hippies couldn't have been wrong.

[@tracysroberts]

I followed an immaculate Splittie up the Eastern freeway on the way to the Drift Kart racing during your visit in Melbourne. When I overtook it I saw it had a wedding ribbon up the front and a well dressed chauffeur. That's getting married in style!

[@Thiswasmeanttobeeasy]

They say 110 kmh in an early Kombi was like the Space Shuttle re entering earth's atmosphere.

[@kjs1973]

It does sound quieter inside than I'd have imagined, never really thought about the advantage of having all the engine and exhaust way back behind! Nice colour too i think.

[@jarthurs]

I used to work in Kensal Road, W10 and next door was a yard that bought, sold and repaired VW's for Kiwis and Aussies. They'd get off the plane at Heathrow, catch a tube to Ladbroke Grove and walk here pick up a VW for a few hundred quid and sell them back at the end of the holiday. A whole compound of garishly hand painted T1/T2 campervans, the guys would weld them up and get them back on the road for the next arrivals. At the time they could be bought for about £300-500, I hate to think what the contents of that compound would be worth now.

[@mikehawes4935]

Thats the place I was thinking about, in 1989 a bay bus we bought here in Walsall was £500 one owner decent condition 10 months MOT , god know how much iot would be now, we had two bays then two T25s one was written off the other I sold for massive restoration but still got 3500 having driven it for years daily

[@axiomist4488]

Totally beautiful. The whole time you were driving I kept hearing (in my head) the Allman Brothers singing "Ramblin' Man" : "Lord I was born a rambling man, trying to make a living and doin' the best I can . . ." =) =) =)

[@rhythmofblues]

So enjoyed this. I had a splitty as a young man which I bought from a surfer and life guard whilst at Uni. I discovered van life and The Highlands of Scotland and the memory has stayed with me clearly after all these years. Took me straight back to those long road trips, hauling band equipment and hanging out on the beach. Loved it! I think getting rid of the reduction gears and upgrading to a 1600 is a smart move. You can cruise at 70 then. I remember if was over a day to scotland from Kent and 1st gear up hills....if you were lucky!!

[@robertngreen6]

Possibly my favourite HubNut video ever! Ooh bringing back memories of when I had several at £200 a go including a crewcab pickup! My dearly missed ATS36B with Mk2 Jag seats and a cracking 1500 singleport engine...... It's lovely to see one almost stock as you say. Particularly impressive that it still maintains most of the tin ware on the engine and a standard exhaust. There was a gear lever extension that made all the difference to the driving position. The ride gets better once you load it up - it has the suspension to carry a ton remember. The little key also opens the fuel flap. The overhead air vents allow flies and wasps to fire out at you at speed! Oh thank you for sharing this, totally made my day! (And the bonus BX's too!)

[@kellybrickey4300]

in the early 60's when I was a kid, my dad a piano tuner, used to tune for a music store who used their VW splitty bus to deliver pianos! A spinet piano would slide right in the side door. LOL During college, I delivered for that store, in a very boring Ford F-350 with a box on the back.

[@porsche356a]

Lovely review of the 6th member of our family Ian, and was great meeting you twice in Sydney. You did a brilliant job of the video. The 'church key' also serves to open the petrol flap as well. Hopefully I can get over to the UK and see you at an autos... meet next year!. Cheers Steve

[@millomweb]

The baseboards of electric milk floats were locked down with a similar square taper key. Also used on buses and coaches for flaps and doors.

[@johncollymore1697]

+Tone. - agree! Lovely condition car (many thanks porsche365a) - and in a great condition. A great video.

[@railtrolley]

Add to the list, the Victorian Railways (Australia) red wooden corridor carriages: the W and E cars used the 'square key" for many of the doors/covers.

[@martinnorth2680]

Love the wipers being out of synchronisation to each other. Splendid

[@caw25sha]

They sound to me like the Tardis.

[@HubNut]

It's a delicious detail.

[@millomweb]

@@HubNut It's like a dance where the man leads the woman ;)

[@johnbrodehl9743]

50 + years of linkage ware.

[@michaeljohnson9421]

I like the way the little wooden box has louvres on it that exactly match the metal dash. Nice touch, that.

[@majormojo]

Don’t think I’ve ever heard a vw bus shifter called “precise” before.... haha. Nice video, thanks Ian!

[@enpeemac]

Being the owner of a (stock height) 1973, Bay window T2 Devon Caravette (also owned since '98), I fully approve of this video! Really love that you loved it as much as I love air cooled buses, I was expecting something a lot more negative. I thought it great that you focused on what these are and indeed were back in the day rather than 'the scene' that's grown around them. I'm no 'scenester' either and in my prime drove my bus many, many miles all over the Alps, Pyrenees, Picos de Europa and beyond each and every summer without issue. My only criticism of your test drive would be to suggest you were often shifting into top way too early. These engines hate to lug (knocks the mains out in the lightweight magnesium crankcase) and love to rev (keeps fan speed up and head temps down) much like I know you already know about air cooled Citroen motors. This and the 6 cylinder Marina videos have to be amongst my favourite test drives of yours.

[@marknelson5929]

... not to mention the massive heat soak in the contemporary vans as well with their front mounted engines (alongside the sheer noise). Loved the review.

[@calibsdaman009]

Lockdown greetings from New Zealand, thanks for another upload to keep me entertained from home, keep up the good work and stay safe!

[@johnfaulkner6776]

I used to crave one of these in bus form. My prep school had a ghastly bmc van / bus conversion, the "sickmobile" . We never won an away match as we were too fazed by either being sick or just smelling sick as the thing lurched up and down and even sideways! We saw these and despaired. Lovely things.

[@Equiluxe1]

My father got a VW van in 1960, As i remember it the engine was only 1200CC. He converted it to a caravan himself,I remember going round to the garage at weekends to help him,I was nine at the time.The reason it was at the garage was down to purchase tax, by converting it to a caravan he could avoid that. This is before Devon started conversions, I remember him showing the conversion to Dormobile who at the time only converted Bedford CA vans. Some yers later he got another with the 1500 engine what a difference that made.

[@borderlands6606]

In the 1970s outside Australia House in London, stood an ever changing line of VW campers and buses that had made the overland trip. From the distressed to the very clean, they were priced from 30 quid up. Unthinkable today.

[@fritzkuhne2055]

wow

[@borderlands6606]

@aircrash tupolov I remember the Magic Bus that went from London Victoria to Greece. It took 3 days and cost about £25.

[@robinjones6999]

and on Embankment

[@richdelgado3405]

"Keep calm. It's only an extra chromosome." Priceless.

[@tridaks]

I was disappointed in my old T2, until an old school VW specialist told me I needed to rev it more- I found his advice to be true!

[@millomweb]

I rode with my dad in a 7·5 tonne truck once - and he drove it like a truck of the 50s barely revving it into the bottom of the turbo range.

[@tridaks]

@ Yes, my 320 was so sweet high up the rev range too

[@gruntabro1]

Haha

[@gaddmeister]

Happy memories! I had 2 of these in the late 80's early 90's. Used to drive happily at 70 mph with the 44bhp.1500.

[@malasyu]

In 1975 I drove a MB W115 overland, London to Colombo, via Istanbul, Delhi Madras and to Colombo. Along the way I saw a number of VW combi being driven to various destinations , all over Europe and Middle East . The braver ones ventured further afield. OZ, Katmandu for the obvious plants to smoke, etc In 1960, and 70s these VW were sold and bought on the Strand and Earls Court in London. bought mainly by Aussies and NZ.

[@deancary6676]

Wonderful video, Ian. More memories. As a 16 year old learning to drive, I was lucky to have my first lessons in three rear engined vehicles (not at the same time!). These were owned by my Mom's boss at the time. The first was a 1960 VW Type 1, then a Skida Octavia Combi. Tge third was a 1200cc Kombi with minibus seating and featuring the small eear window. It was an experience. Very light steering, loud gearbox with what seemed a vast gate between second and third (I think my arms were a bit shorter then though). It was very slow and I never took it over 70 km/h. It was good on gravel, a little more planted than the Type 1. Thanks again! Keep safe.

[@Zadster]

What makes it especially cool is that it isn't trying too hard. Well restored certainly, but the owner hasn't gone over the top, which is always a cool-killer. Detail of delight: There are many on this, but for some reason those front door quarterlights seem especially lovely. Very functional, very useful. Whenever I hear these start, I am always reminded of the opening part of Kraftwerk's Autobahn (for obvious reasons). That colour works really well in Aus, but I suspect would just look muddy in the UK. Safari windows would have been a nice thing to have inn the antipodes, but that van's a bit of a cutie!

[@davidtosh7200]

1967 VW Kombi Bus has a right hand drive. The customer do decked out with factory pre 1940 teardrop dual beam headlights (its last year), first year for 12 volt electrical system, last year for split windscreen, final year for "washing machine" engine, dual braking system, black softer knobs for window cranks, adjustable knobs for the heater. Wish it was in Australia. A 1967 Australian VW Bus do uses the European style bumpers without the vertical bumper guards and no Over riders, like they did in the United States and Canada.

[@STEVELILLEY011117]

One of the most iconic vehicles ever made . Wonderful review too.

[@jrushen4235]

One of the most iconic and lovable vehicles ever made. Great video, thanks for uploading.

[@dazmac159]

Outstanding, madam n I brought a 1970 transporter in Melbourne back 1990, drove it to Perth, brilliant trip didn't miss a beat. ps, madam was bare foot n 6 months pregnant at th time😁🤙🏄‍♂️

[@adamclark7536]

My daughter hired a Splittie for my 50th birthday. The brakes were very scary to start with but i had a brilliant weekend driving it along the south coast. Probably the coolest i have ever been!

[@fritzkuhne2055]

one needs to be fully there to drive these old vehicles, no phone use possible or death is imminent xD

[@ivan747100]

The rear engine bonnet lid & the fuel cap cover both use the same key to open them - it's colloquially referred to by Splitty owners as the 'church key'.

[@timelwell7002]

My brother had a 'splitty' back in 1971/2, in LHD form, and we went to Devon in it. Later on, a trip was planned to Europe, but my brother got ill and ended up in hospital, so that never happened. I quite liked it, but cannot remember what happened to it. I remember driving it - not exactly the fastest of vehicles, but it got the job done. Happy days - or rather they were once my brother had had his appendix removed...If I remember correctly prior to owning the VW Camper, my brother and my mum each had a VW Karman Ghia, one in yellow and one in blue. I don't know what happened to them, either. The 2 Karman Ghia's that is, not my brother and mother...

[@stevek3636]

Back in the eighties I drove the van version of this. Fun times.

[@b.2221]

Ingeniously designed vehicle, and would serve many purposes in everyday life. This is top notch Sir 👍 Tam.

[@rods6405]

Ingeniously designed vehicle for removing you legs must have a bull bar

[@northdevonwildlifewithandy788]

Had a T2 back in the day. Freezing cold in the winter and pretty much worthless at the time. Swapped it for a reel to reel tape recorder in the end. Oh for the gift to see into the future. Lol

[@sammorgan1376]

WOW!!! What a beauty!!!!!!!

[@sarran1955]

Hello Ian, A splitty at last.. now you are close to home..I had splitties and bays, all over Europe with young family. Under lockdown I am fitting a pop top roof to my 1980 aircooled T25 T3.. Air- Cooled Bliss... Cordialement,

[@aussiebloke609]

In the early '80s (when I was a kid) there was a VW Combi Westfalia (camper) that was always parked at Bobbin Head in Kuringai Chase National Park. I returned there on a trip back to Oz about 8 years ago and it was still there - and still looking really well cared for. Gotta love the Aussie weather for at least not promoting the rust like other parts of the world! :-) PS: There was also a '59 FC Holden parked at the ranger station in said park, and it's still there also - complete with skinny tyres, hubcaps and original paint (right down to the fuel stain below the filler cap that I remembered seeing 35+ years ago.) Amazing how long some of those old cars last, without needing major restoration work.

[@porsche356a]

aussiebloke609 ironically this was filmed in north Wahroonga about 2 km from Bobbin head and it is just behind the bus in the intro! I haven’t seen a Westfalia there though,

[@aussiebloke609]

I thought I recognised a few roads - I lived in Wharoonga for a couple of years before moving to the US in '93 - but it's changed a lot since then (e.g. no expressway back then.) The Combi used to always be parked just near to the bridge, on that offshoot that heads to the marina. Was painted orange with a while pop-up roof and the spare tyre mounted to the front. Wish I'd thought to take a picture of it at the time.

[@paulbennell3313]

That is an absolute beauty!

[@Shane_Marsh]

A magnificently delicious video Ian with the usual excellent content. Thank you and stay safe fella.

[@keiths314]

Wonderful review. Thanks Hub Nut!

[@dogerdy]

FW Brings back lots of memories I drove a 1970's model from Adelaide in S,Aust. to Darwin in Nothern Terrortie and back a round trip of 3000 mls. Only one problem a Road Train took out the windscreen I had to drive 300mis to Alice Springs at 30mph to stop the roof panal lifting. Enjoy''d your videos about the landgrab I had 3 and my best cat was Marina. Keep on Nuttig

[@chrisstoddard1144]

As the former owner of a '71 T2 Kombi, I was surprised to hear you write off any advantage of a Subaru engine swap. The most obvious benefit is the ability to actually reach the speed limit on a motorway/interstate highway. If I recall correctly, my T2 with the dual port 1600 cc engine was limited to about 63 mph cruising speed. That doesn't really cut it in the world that many of us live in.

[@colinsavidge9121]

My father bought a Devon Caravette in 1960 when it cost as much as a Rover. It was the first i drove at 11 years old on a camp site. The T2 would have been built in Australia, hence the wiper pattern.

[@seancooke4127]

Lurvely. Basically a Porsche 911 with 1 tonne payload capacity. You really looked like this vehicle suited your style. You did say that it had a lovely driving position. I believe Ellie would love a Type 2 big sister.

[@photohum]

Outstanding video with correct details 🏆🏆

[@danielriley889]

Great video as usual, Mr Hubnut. Brought back fond memories of the Hornsby area and Pacific Highway , lived on the Central Coast for a bit and travelled the F3 many a time.

[@walterroszko6841]

love your work mr.hubnut!

[@FryNOR]

Old VW`s are wonderful cars, i learned to drive in my uncle`s T3 when i was 7-8 years old. I had to stand upright to reach the pedals and it was quite hard to use the clutch pedal and shift gears while trying to hold on to the steering wheel while my uncle was blasting Rolling Stones on the stereo, when i was 15 i bought my first car which was a Beetle. Since then i have owned several beetles and T3`s with the 1.6 and 1.6TD engines. One time i was looking to buy a Caravelle with the 2.1 engine, the engine block split in half during test drive due to frozen coolant but i still bought the car and that was probably not my smartest car purchase.

[@mohammedsayfulahmed8651]

Think it’s the best vehicle you’ve done Ian, keep up your great work buddy

[@filbruce1]

An interesting anecdote. the suburb you are driving through (Wahroonga) was devastated by a major Storm Cell about three weeks after you filmed this.Many of the large gum trees you drive past at around 21:00 were uprooted and destroyed, Many houses damaged and powerlines downed, taking about three weeks to restore. Fortunately the BX's are ok.

[@tonycanning8518]

My first car was a 64 Kombi .... Absolutely fantastic car ..

[@adriandevine5955]

My first was a 66 (I bought it before I'd passed my driving test as a friend was selling it) - for a long time it was strange to me to drive anything that steered in front of you rather than under your bum! I had it a few years, but circumstances forced me to sell it when they weren't worth a heck of a lot. I always had the intention of getting another (or even buying my old one back if possible), but, of course, not long after that the values went silly. I think I sold mine for £600 (a complete bus that ran, but with the bottom 6 inches rather rotten) - then I remember looking a year or two later and amongst the bargains was a bare shell that'd been dragged out of a scrapyard (it was bent in the middle where someone had dropped a car on it or something) and it was something like £6,000.

[@rayg9069]

That lovely clattery exhaust is a sound that's nearly extinct here in Australia now. A superbly practical car that tradies would use all week then load the family in for the holidays. Their one short coming here in Australia was, as usual heat and poor maintenance. It was quite common to see a beetle or Kombi quietly on fire at traffic lights in hot weather. Extreme heat, degradation of rubber fuel lines and peak hour traffic was the downfall of many.

[@astront917]

Love these,great video 👍👍👍

[@peterriggall8409]

What a trip you had Ian. Really enjoyed that.....just lovely.

[@simonabbott7323]

Cracking video, Ian! Thank you very much.

[@riccrothall4828]

I've just discovered your channel and I think I'm now an addict, an Aussie with a2002 AU 3 wagon that works so well I don't need to change it. Ric from Tassie.

[@johnd8892]

Lots of vids he recorded in Tasmania in his Australia and New Zealand related playlists. Tasmania proved a good source of classic cars available for him to drive. The P76 and Wolesley 24/80 come mind from Tasmania. Quite a few others.

[@BritishRail60062]

I want to own and travel around in one of these gems. They remind me of a rabbit on wheels and they look cute too.

[@jameshooton7335]

I've been wanting to own a T2 since I've been about 6 - when I went on Holiday to Devon I used to see them all parked up along the esplanade. I'm 20 now and still determined that I'm going to own one, some how! However, I never knew about the whole Type 2 T1, Type 2 T2 stuff! I always assumed that T was just another way of saying 'Type'. I've always just gone 'oh there's a T2 splitty' and there's a T2 Bay', but now I know to never call a split screen a 'T2' again. Brilliant video thank you!

[@theshowman8478]

Lovely, lovely, lovely. Thanks HubNut.

[@dodgeanderson]

Nice video. I have the pleasure of building and owning a 2ltr panel with totally upgraded suspension, disc brakes etc. Pulls like a train, sound proofed and built to drive anywhere. It’s lowered too… 😅 If only you guys could appreciate how it compares!

[@waynetetley584]

Footprint is amazingly no more than a family saloon. Good use of space and friendly face design. I think most aircooled engine work was easier to undo 4 bolts and take the engine out. My dad knew someone in canada in late 50s who drove his beetle up to the lakes, put the engine in his boat to go fishing, then put it back in his car on sun night and drove home!

[@jamesgovett3225]

I thoroughly enjoyed being driven around the burbs with you, sometimes it’s good just being a passenger! Anyway you did a good job explaining the where with all’s of the old kombie

[@Shane_Marsh]

Lots of uk VWs in oz when I was there 1994. They drive through Europe, Asia, down to Singapore and island hop on ferry Sumatra, Jakarta, Bali, etc. eventually to Darwin. Then someone else would buy it in oz and drive it back.

[@caw25sha]

There used to be a tradition of Australians & New Zealanders coming to Britain for the OE, buying a Kombi to take round Europe, then selling it on to the next batch of Antipodeans so there were probably a lot that had "done" Europe many times with many owners. Didn't know about the UK Australia thing though.

[@cornishhh]

I thought that the overland route pretty much died out in the mid 1970's. Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan have all had lengthy "No Go" periods since then.

[@mikehawes4935]

@@caw25sha there was that street in London where they were often put up for sale this as the mid 80's

[@Shane_Marsh]

I once bought a 2cv in dover, no t&t for £80 , got the ferry over and drove to New Delhi. If I remember we had to go round the Caspian sea as Russia was fighting Afghanistan. Anyway we met a few campers using that route to oz. I think others sailed from south Africa. We ran the 2cv to the base of the Himalayas but the coil gave up so then swapped it for a camel & a llama and walked across Mongolia with them. Happy times.

[@williamross2579]

Brilliant video Ian!

[@joekurtz8303]

Dig that RHD. Left passenger access, my pal had the 64 model camper. Of course In The US , its LHD. love those sliding windows in the door . Not terribly fast but got out it's own way and decent mileage. The comedian Fluffy has an extensive collection of these here in town and can view on KZbin

[@nicksss1843]

Lovely Kombi! We had one transport my wife to our wedding in 2018, and chose it for the double doors you see on this one. A bit different for wedding pics! I arrived in a Tesla (sorry) and she arrived in the split screen Kombi. I could hear her arriving from where I stood at the Altar. Never has the putt putt putt of a camper engine made me more nervous than that morning haha! Her nerves were ok, the petrol fumes saw to that on the journey over 😂

[@Bicyclehub]

What a great video! You certainly know your stuff and I totally agree about keeping the original ride height. My dad went from a Commer PB (which froze) to a VW splittie and as kids we went all over Scotland camping in it. In winter, the engine struggled to start as it was only 6 volt electrics, so my dad used to put a gas fire under the engine for half an hour.

[@daviddavis6291]

Great Video--thanks and keep up the good work.

[@danielpothier9990]

Hubnut at its finest! I agree its not a real vehicle if its never used. Like with people milage brings character. Well done,

[@tompchromedome]

great vid brought back a lot of memories for me as these suburbs around Hornsby were my old stomping ground in the 1970s. I got my Kombi up too and over 110 km going down the hill on the F3 towards the Brooklyn Bridge unfortunately this was not a good idea as the motor blew up a couple of days later. Yep number 3 cylinder. These units are fun to drive you sit above the front wheels and you are pointing or driving your body to where you want to go into drive ways etc. Where as in a sedan car of the time you positioned the front of the bonnet or hood to the direction required.

[@BarryAllenMagic]

If I was a single man, I could quite happily live full time; and travel in that for the rest of my days. Adorable!

[@Chaostheory1971]

Another vehicle gets the HubNut seal of approval! Been subscribed to Mustie1's channel for quite a while now and he certainly knows his stuff. Hope you're still doing OK under lockdown, Ian

[@totalt6600]

The sound of VW aircooled, is music to my Soul. Ty. 💛🎶✌

[@Tukwillie]

I had a '62 back in the day. My gear shifter had an extension piece angled to get the top of the shifter closer to the driver. It looked like a factory piece, but I never saw another like it. You mentioned the seating position. The driver's eyes are even with the tops of the windows, so sun is never much of a problem, though traffic lights could be challenging. Leaning out over the flat steering wheel was a pleasant necessity. Top speed in my U.S. version was just over 60 mph. Thanks so much for this video.

[@trevorrobinson8577]

Had two of these in the early seventies. As I remember they were 1200cc and the big problem was rust. Very good engine and fun to drive. Wish I had them now as the value has gone up beyond belief. After all this time I can still remember their reg numbers. AAL 101B and 483 UVO

[@danmybusiness1167]

My father-in-law had two of them (consecutively). One was a 1100cc, and the one that I knew (at the time I met my wife) was a 1500cc. Both of them were completely standard, and both were his only car at the time and his daily drivers. He sold the last one after he retired. He told me his cruising speed in the 1100 was typically 45mph, and in the 1500cc one it was 100km/h. I once borrowed the 1500cc one for a trip of ca 300 km and it reached close to 120km on a stretch, but this caused it to overheat a bit so I slowed down to 110 km/h. I also owned a bay window 2L, but this was not a very reliable car for someone with a heavy right foot, so I had to replace the engine twice in a matter of 45 000km. It can do long trips, but not at full throttle. I also had a matress in the back, and the engine was almost completely inaudible. I still miss them, and my one regret is that I did not buy my father-in-laws car when he sold it.

[@ginggur17]

Love these. Never driven one. One of my parents friends had one when I was approx 6yrs old.

[@rayworboys-hamlin8092]

Absolutely amazing vehicles.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Engine has some poke. They seem torquey down low. What an icon. I like all three generations for their own reasons. I like the T2 with automatic transmission. I saw U.S video of one being driven and it got going really well and really smooth. You can definitely hear this engine has a more modern sporty note to it like the last beetles and it takes off accordingly. I like the angular body of the T3 with it's smart innovative modern looks.

[@jys160]

From what I remember, power steering was not missed on these as having the engine in the rear made steering quite light. Great video Ian.

[@millomweb]

Quite possibly VW mastered the light steering. Our Jetta was front engined and as long as the front tyres were correctly inflated, steering was light and easy. When it wasn't, it was a clear indication to get the tyre pump out again.

[@maakatipa4613]

I had a 58 small back window back in 1980. With a 1600 conversion. And still had the reduction boxes. It was also the most expensive vehicle I had ever owned at $5,700. What that van would be worth now, would probably get me the car of my dreams five times over. It was also the most fun van I've ever driven.

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

I'm sure many people have an early VW story to tell,mine started in a 1962 VW beetle (my first car) and driving across an intersection i heard a noise like champagne bottles popping...shortly there-after i looked in the rear vision mirror and couldn't see the back window because of smoke ,the noise was the battery cell lids popping off from shorting out the battery under the rear seat. aarrgghhh..!..And who can forget that the windscreen washer reservoir which was housed in the center of the spare wheel under the bonnet,worked on the pressure from the spare tyre ,if you topped up the water and then checked your tyre pressure without returning the top to the reservoir you got friggin drowned ..LOL

Oh my, this is a lovely piece of engineering! Years ago, when I discovered they took the old Beetle layout and converted into 4WD, I promised myself to own the T3 Syncro one day. Please, whenever you happen to visit central Europe (yeah, they have to allow travels some day again), You're more than welcome to experience here the latest oldschool kin of the Beetle. I mean it. :-)

[@ahorsewithnoname643]

When I was a teen in the early '70s we had a neighbour that drove his diesel series Ii Landy from England to NZ. It was fitted with the Fairey overdrive. He went via Asia rather than Africa.

[@nigelprince987]

Excellent video Ian. I have always wanted to drive one of these. As NZ be closed for international travel for some time, having one of these and visiting places in the South Island looks like a good idea. The BMW Z3 may have to go though. Loved the postures from the scrap yards

[@hydorah]

Lowering a car lowers everything. Lowers comfort, lowers practicality, lowers handling, lowers class, lowers appeal and lowers value

[@grayfool]

There are clasic vehicles and then there are iconic vehicles. These are most definatley in the latter group. I'm with you on keping them close to standard. Top gear is very much an overdrive too, as you discovered. Loads of revs in third then almost down to tick-over in top. Love 'em.

[@robenglish416]

Absolutely fabulous! I would love a T1 or T2. They built T2's until 2 years or so in Brazil. With camping equipment! Being 18 and working for the waterboard in my home town I drove a very nacked T2 pick-up (this was 1985) and a totally hopeless gearbox! Sometimes I wasn't able to find second gear and had to stop and start all over.

[@Shane_Marsh]

Oh boy this is gonna be good.

[@olivermacke838]

So nice. Cute faced cars should come back. Would help with road aggression, I reckon.

[@johnp8150]

And fewer blacked out windows please.

[@eddiestevenson-kaatsch6306]

As children, our best friend's Mum had a blue one of those VW campers. We loved it as kids. Incidentally, her husband had a Saab estate car, with the little wings and the V4, in white.

[@pauldavies6037]

One of the worlds most loved vehicles rightly so ! and very refined to drive compared to what else was on sale at the time.Love those caravan style conversions what more do you want for a family holiday

[@charliemanson4808]

Lovely van, always loved them. My parents had an old type 2 camper and then purchased a brand new rear engined one around 88, the squared off bodied one with high camper roof a t3 or t4?. When he moved to America he had to sell it, I was miltary and serving in Belgium at the time so couldn't take it on....I so wish I'd been able to. Hope your keeping well Ian, at least you know how your going to get through all those extra videos from NZ and Aus 👍 If it keeps you busy and me entertained during these strange times I'll happily spend a few minutes letting any Ads play right through, just to ensure you get a little back for your work. Peace Charlie 🇬🇧

[@nazdagg2027]

thanks for keeping the videos coming. watching HubNut with breakfast is kind of a thing here, start the day with some eggs and entertainment. (if they ever get Binky done, how about a HubNut test drive? fun?)

[@bombakdik]

Wow those wipers seemed very enthusiastic! The windscreen arrangement gives me the feel of an airliner’s cockpit! Now that I have been watching quite all of your videos it strikes me a bit that it has been a very long time ago you didn’t say “ooooh” anymore. However, here you did again, fully approving the engine cover’s catch! Lovely.

[@chrisharkin3741]

maybe 6 volt wiper motor being fed 12 volts??

[@bombakdik]

Chris Harkin they would immediately be toast then.

[@Endfloat]

Ah you finally did a VW! As I said, there's a T25 here in Ireland for you to drive if you're over this way, as well as a beetle! I'm glad you like the splitty. I've always loved the driving position of these old VW vans. And I agree with you about the thing of slamming them and narrowing the front beam. The thing is though, they're as individual as their owner.