The Long, Weird Trip of the Volkswagen Bus | Up To Speed

Thank you to Gran Turismo 7 for sponsoring today's episode! Gran Turismo 7, Rated E for Everyone, is out now for Playstation 4 and Playstation 5. The game is the latest installment in a franchise that many people consider the absolute pinnacle of automotive video games, and - no surprise- it’s been getting rave reviews from the press and fans alike. Get your copy and start playing today: bit.ly/3qe9Lxz
For seven decades, the Volkswagen Bus-or the Kombi, the Transporter, the Caravel, the Hippie Van, the Vanago, or the Type 2, if you prefer-has been a global icon on the roads. But the staying power of this hardworking, underpowered cab-over that bursts at the seams with personality wasn’t a sure thing. After it became a phenomenon, a conspiracy between an American president and a powerful labor union (yes, the States used to have those) nearly stopped the Bus in its tracks, and it all came down to chickens. From its humble origins as a back-of-the-napkin design exercise, to its upcoming all-electric rebirth, this is everything you need to know to get up to speed on the Volkswagen Bus!
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Edited by Griffin Wenzler. Check out ILikeToCuss.com for his comedy.
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[@KombiLife]

I can personally recommend the Kombi - I only had to remove the engine 11 times during my first road trip (true stroy) 😂

[@Cig4ras]

WHAT xdd since im kinda young (20s) , can you explain WHY and HOW , can you even do that , while on a road trip ? xd sounds like a memorable trip tho xd

[@reggiexp69]

i guess with a screw driver and a 10 you can take every thing out? (or are it wierd german sizes like mercedes and bmw like to use)

[@Cig4ras]

@@reggiexp69 oh xd guess they aren't as complicated as new (new'er?) cars , since I just cannot imagine , taking an engine out even once while on a road trip , with new cars that is xd

[@reggiexp69]

@@Cig4ras hahahh for real, in france my friend always say you can take a citroen 2cv apart with just a 10mm good old cars with carbs

[@Cig4ras]

@@reggiexp69 lol , can imagine , but in my country , citroen 2cv are probably almost non-existant or at least can't recall seeing one xd

[@EpicEvilMonster12]

Donut media has single handedly made me a car guy. I've always had an interest in cool cars but I've never had someone who could really educate me on them. This channel is the absolute best.

[@colebrunswick3015]

Same, always wanted to get into cars but it was intimidating until I found donut

[@th3pimp8392]

Broooo same!!

[@dmikewilcox]

Yup

[@kevinpellerin6715]

I ended up getting a Nissan 300zx

[@biladaalada4341]

Here in Brazil when they ended up the production due to airbag becoming mandatory, they made a "retirement ad" for the bus. "GOING SOON. Every car deserves a release announcement, but only an icon like the Kombi also deserves an retirement announcement." It started like this and in the end they invited people to tell their stories with the VW Kombi on their site, ngl that ad made me feel

[@elinzmeyer3550]

The 5 years (1999-2004) I spent in Germany with my overhauled TYP II are some of my best memories. Bought a basket case, threw a bunch of money and time at it and was rewarded. Finland, Poland, Ireland, Slovenia... took this little camper everywhere, broke down on nearly every trip, and still...best memories ever! Sometimes the trip is the journey, doooood!

[@DatzTragicNewPatek]

You guys make car related content digestible and approachable for everyone. Even people who arnt “gear heads”. I show these videos to my gf and she’s entertained even though she cares very little about cars. Great videos guys. Have been a fan for years!

[@j.c.4139]

With Yota's tacos, it's always digestible my friend. Give it the beans!!

[@parkerbethke]

Get a new girlfriend if she cares very little about cars

[@DatzTragicNewPatek]

@@parkerbethke bruh moment

[@samholdsworth420]

Volkswagens are notsee vehicles

[@nassermansour5706]

I always love the way they make their videos German Fact: In my opinion the T4 and T5 are like the most seen Van here in NRW (nord-Rhine Westphalia)

[@GuilMotta]

As a Brazilian, hearing James saying "lotação" brought joy to my day. So perfect. And yes, our Kombi version definitely crushes every other version.

[@Lokaci_wolf]

nossa versão é a melhor mesmo

[@driveslow48]

Only died here due to that fancy nutella ABS bs...

[@marcioeduardo4187]

@@driveslow48 "fancy ABS bs" hahaha

[@igorR061]

Tivemos até híbrida... entre o T1 e T2, além de diesel, sem contar a água.

[@arthur9511]

@@igorR061 meu sonho uma Kombi diesel

[@user-by5jg6ro6f]

We had two T2s in the family, one for camping, with full Westfalia kit and a second, closed working van for my grandpa's motorcycle servicing shop. We loved them both, the one was actually had a name; Buffalo Bill ✌🏼

[@maurobellotti]

Great one, guys. I still drive my 1995 Kombi Clipper here in Brazil (1.600 cc boxer with two carburators). We had diesel, trucks and many other models here... with gas tank always positioned right above the engine, turning many Kombis into bonfire vans. Cheers!

[@gabrielv.4358]

Yes

[@Ernestinhomugiwara]

My mom drove one as a School Bus! Here in Brasil we called VW Kombi, It's part of our society It continued production to late 2010's, 1.5 liter water cooled, but airbags killed the bus here

[@adamthompson4072]

It still shocks me how long they were built and sold for. Like the last O.G. Beetle rolled off the assembly line in 2013

[@Ernestinhomugiwara]

@@adamthompson4072 yessss, beetle stopped production here in the 1980's, but it was replaced by another popular vw aircooled (vw gol) My first car was a beetle haha the best cheap car for our horrible road network

[@damilolaakanni]

@@adamthompson4072 I believe the last Beetle (not the "new" Beetle) was produced on 30th July, 2003 in Mexico.

[@binhonz]

@Antonio FG I think it's only called the vw bus in the united states to be fair. I'm from Brazil but migrated to New Zealand some years back and here they call it a Kombi too. Have also met people from Asia and Europe who also use this name and not vw bus so yeah. I love the donut guys but sometimes it feels like they forget their videos reach a much broader audience than only their own country's.

[@adamthompson4072]

@@damilolaakanni well you know what? You're right

[@gymusen]

The “Last Edition” VW Bus, or as we call it in Brazil, VW Kombi, has one of the most heartwarming and sad advertisements ever, since it was one, if not, the advertisement for the end of production of one of the most beloved vehicles ever, I cried the first time I saw it, and still do every time I watch it.

[@estefanello]

The add was awesome!

[@MarloSoBalJr]

8 years ago BUT glad VW had a good slap to the face to "sorta" reintroduce The Bus again

[@mahmoudbarakat3751]

u have a link for that commercial ?

[@adityakashyap5281]

@@mahmoudbarakat3751 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4vYeGWjmsqXhNU

[@gabrielv.4358]

YES!

[@michaelwalsh3474]

James rocking "The Life Aquatic" look like a boss. Also, Ford was fined $1.2Billion dollars for dodging the chicken tax on the Transit. 🤯

[@sizo32gaming]

In South Africa, the T3 was called the Cara Cara. There was even a song made about it roughly 10 years ago. It really got popular and people were even fitting air suspension on them. So many customization were made even home made four door flat beds. There was just so much love for it

[@gabrielv.4358]

That's cool!

[@jamesbachand8521]

“It used to be just called ‘living’,” 🤣 I don’t know if I watch for the car info or just the humor anymore.

[@kaglekoa]

Both. Mostly the humor

[@cmcclarney]

Your editors deserve a raise! These guys are killing the game!👏👏👏

[@garinramadhan6572]

My dad used to own a Brazillian made T2 Kombi, it was a nice experience owning one, with removal of the middle row you can easily fit a motorcycle or a bike or basically anything

[@ottocardonarosado]

I'm so glad to see James much more livelier! Stay healthy man! You have people who care for you!!!

[@pizzaofataco]

in the little town my father is from in Mexico, my grandfather used to take the local transportation that would go up a mountain to the fields and end up in the nearest “big” city and they called it the “La Combi”. Only now did I realize it was spelled “Kombi” thanks, donut

[@471CDA]

Yep! They were all over the place. They would pack em so tight with people that some would be standing in them.

[@BrunoLate98]

I keep calling them Combis… despite the fact most are Nissan

[@isaacserrano4869]

In mexico city they were the main type of public transportation for decades even now theres t6s but everyone calls them combis

[@oldfordcarsandtrucks]

As a kid, I remember trading our "old" VW camper van in on a brand new, off the showroom floor, 1973 pop-top camper van. Soooo cool !

[@muko2002]

I remember when we were in Mexico my dad had a Kombi and would take passengers from one town to another . Pretty good memories. Sucky part was work on it since the engine was right in the middle of the front seats and it was a pain to take it out to work on it .

[@lowfro02]

My dad had a Westy when I was a little kid. That thing was so cool! When the engine blew, he let it sit for like 10 years. The image of it being dragged out of the driveway by a tow truck is burned into my brain til this day... I miss that thing.

[@AAtheDUDe]

always sad to let a loved car go

[@lowfro02]

@@AAtheDUDe Don't get me started on the 70s Celica that was parked behind it.......

[@Someone-um6hi]

@@AAtheDUDe yeahh I still want my 99' subaru forester back

[@youraveragenoob7556]

My parents got a 1969 vw bus when they got married and i learned how to drive and spent a lot of my young years driving it around it’s on its 5th engine and it’s still in their driveway today

[@brianworden7022]

I just picked up a 69 Beetle as my first car. One day, I might get a bus if I have the money to do so.

[@WillxYes]

Awwww Yeaaahh... The Kombi... We LOVE Kombis here in Brasil. We only had the T1 and T2, and, as you said, it stopped production just 9years ago. When my family moved to a new city, back in 2004, my dad traded our Ford Verona for a 1999 Kombi. That thing could barely go up hills. We lived in a small 10 houses condominium, with a small private street. Dad used to park the Kombi in front of our house. WHen I made friends with 2 girls next door, that was sister, we used to spend some hours inside that Kombi, just talking about whatever. I was 14 at the time. We really liked just being inside that metal box, just having fun. I told my wife that I'll have a Kombi when I can afford one, but she didnt liked this idea. She thinks its a dangerous van. But I surelly will have.

[@FLUXXEUS]

They're actually used as transportation in Mexico to this day (in certain areas) and are known as "Combis" rightfully so 😬

[@thecommentingcommentor7657]

As someone living close to Wolfsburg it's always a pleasure to hear James pronouncing German cities

[@elvis1745]

Was kinda disappointed they spelled it "Wolksburg" in the video

[@ericrombouts7698]

Frontwheeldrive to expensive to buy and maintain

[@kugul1683]

I also usd to live in that area!

[@admix493]

ich wohne in Wolfsburg 😂😂😂

[@targatom]

Ive just rebuilt a T3 Westfalia syncro (all-wheel-drive with 2 locking diffs) and having lots of offroading fun, its incredibly capable even if it only has 98hp

[@Truminashadepressure]

You are a man of taste, that thing is probably great off road being so light too!

[@josephfarler4802]

I can’t be the only one who thinks James could be a modern day Chris Farley, “we’re gonna turn this bus around” reminded me so much of Farley in Billy Madison. Truly comedic geniuses.

[@Del129]

This is one of the best Up to Speeds yet, James had me in stitches haha!

[@TheMarslMcFly]

As a German I love James saying all these German words. 😂

[@dustinhelbing5425]

Ist wirklich so

[@marxsono4236]

"Wolksburg" statt "Wolfsburg" finde ich besonders gut xD

[@gone.but.forgotten]

Und “Germany” in Nederland oder Belgien

[@j3nkns780]

TROPFENWAGEN!!!

[@TheRealArtimusKnight]

Much love from Canada! 🇨🇦

[@pedrofelix6181]

My dad had 17 of these in his lifetime here in Brazil. He passed away in 2020, and my brother and I will keep the last one he had until the end. It is the last model manufactured here, with a 1.4 liter flexfuel engine (Ethanol/Gas). Thank you Donut Media, this video made my day! Brazil! 🟢🟡

[@elvis1745]

Damn, that's a heartwarming story! I hope you guys manage to mantain it so that one day your children can enjoy driving it!

[@benclampman]

Very cool.

[@riversider2506]

WOW 😮 That's a lot of awesome memories, shared with the Kombi 🤞... My Most Sincere Condolences for y'alls devastating loss 🙏

[@RemnantSRT440]

Honestly the new Buzz would of been super awesome with rounded headlights. Hopefully the next gen they would do it

[@customjohnny]

I thought the same thing!! Not a huge fan of the headlights on, they don’t quite complement the rest of the design well- retro or not

[@TheEmeraldSword04]

Modern techniques used in headlight made into a disk shape probably could look sick. Unless they only use the new methods for rectangular lights and just Ctrl+C Ctrl+V headlight designs from Harley or BMW bikes, but that could still look nice.

[@bafmey]

Bought a first gen when I was 18yo. It was a piece of steel with no wheels, engine, transmisión or windows. I put an original engine in and about a week after (when I got to 40mph) decided to swap it out for a 95hp fuel injected AP16 engine, which made it feel like a rocket. My girlfriend and I hand built the interior for a few years to be one of the nicest in Chile. Fast forward 10 years and my girlfriend and I are getting married on September and getting away on the bus. This machines truly bring joy and love to people. Not a hippie but truly share the love for the bus. Thanks for making an up to speed about it 👍🏻.

[@BrunoLate98]

As a mexican that keeps on calling public transportation vans as “Combi” after all this years, even though most are Toyota and Nissan. I grate you for telling us where the name Combi comes from.

[@CringeTheGinge]

I’ve had my 1984 Vanagon Westfalia for almost 2 years now and I’ve never looked back. It’s the slowest thing I’ve ever driven but I love it like it was my first child, such a sweet ride.

[@JSwatchesthings]

I love these old VW microbuses and Vanagons from back in the day. The hippie movement was powered by air-cooled VWs and it makes me happy that they own it. "The most iconic van" though is either the Mystery Machine (Dodge A100) or the A-Team's GMC Vandura.

[@dr.floridaman4805]

TMNT van

[@reggiexp69]

i mean the A team van was lit i always wanted one till i grew up and saw how much fuel it used and how slow it was (americaaa power)

[@hemriks7628]

James saying "Braunschweig" Made my day as a person that was born there

[@luisfranco6099]

You’re the new classic top gear crew +1. Nolan is James May, Jeremiah is Richard Hammond and James is of course Jeremy Clarkson. Zach is the Stig, no doubt. How awesome would it be if Donut could make a top gear type of show where they review the coolest cars, test them on their own track and do ratchet road-trips, one can only dream.

[@dobremihai8183]

The only other voices I can’t stop listening besides James, Nolan, Zack and Jeremiah are May, Clarckson, Hammond, Harris

[@BTunaTTV_YT]

And chrisfix also

[@dobremihai8183]

@@BTunaTTV_YT oh yeah I forgot about him for a sec

[@msabawazeir]

Do an episode about the EV1 GM first electric car was made in 1990s. People need to know about it!! Best content as always 👌

[@leehest1564]

My dad had one, my whole family was sad when they crushed them all.

[@quillmaurer6563]

That would be a great Up To Speed. Or, if they can find a survivor (I believe some had drivetrains removed but were given to museums, and a few of those were restored to operating condition with scraped-together parts), a Bumper 2 Bumper. Sort of a forgotten tidbit of automotive history, one so far ahead of its time, would be the sort of thing they like to cover.

[@msabawazeir]

@@quillmaurer6563 I saw a video on youtube couple years ago, someone had found an EV2 parked in either a company's parking garage or airport parking garage. And yes the ones GM left were stripped out of the drivetrain, and were given to Museums and schools.

[@quillmaurer6563]

@@msabawazeir You mean an EV1? I'm not aware that they ever made an EV2, but perhaps had things gone differently would have eventually. From what I've heard there have been a few of the ones given to schools and museums that people have made functional, probably with a mix of genuine parts they managed to scrape together and some parts from other EVs. These days if someone had an EV1 body/interior they could probably put a new drivetrain in it fairly easily using parts of modern EVs, and get a much better result than it had been originally. Much like doing an EV conversion of a rolling chassis that happened to have originally been electric.

[@msabawazeir]

@@quillmaurer6563 yes I know they first made EV1s around 1996. Then they updated them around the end of 1998 and corrected range issues and fitted them with more efficient batteries. Perhaps they were still named EV1, but for sure there were 2 different versions of the EV1.

[@cenccenc946]

I was literally just given a 1990 Brazilian made kombi camper for free that was abandoned in a container. Not being a VW enthusiasts, I was searching youtube to learn about them. I am actually more a Toyota offroad enthusiasts (I also got a 2002 Hilux from the same container), but makes me appreciate it even more that there is such a strong fan base dedicated to them. so looking forward to getting to know the Kombi.

[@mattreid7487]

I took my driving test in a 1981 vanagon, so many family memories attached to that van!

[@KallyelBarbosa]

In Brazil it's called "Kombi", and the Beetle, "Fusca". Shout-out to any Brazilians reading this!

[@caio613]

Salve

[@RubMySchmeat]

In Mexico they call the beetle “bochos”

[@Saibert1]

@@RubMySchmeat we see that in FH5. Even in our dub (PTBR) they still call "bocho" instead of "fusca:

[@gabrielv.4358]

Salve

[@KallyelBarbosa]

@@Saibert1 ohh, didn't know bout that, one flaw on the dub

[@myd4980]

It is stunning to me that no one talks about the factory camper they sell in Europe TODAY. There is the VW California and also a Sprinter sized Grand California!

[@Drskopf]

Who cares? They never made it to the Americas anyway!! We did our custom camper version of the Kombi, with whatever we had available, actually that is still a thing today, bc thousand of latinos and gringos love to travel from back and forth from Usuhaia Argentina to Alaska in vans like this through Pan-Americana highway

[@myd4980]

@@Drskopf I know, but it is shocking to me that they do a lot of research before each episode and they don't see the California in Volkswagen's website next to all the other T6.1 models. I wish they see this comment and learn about it's existence.

[@notchrisrivera7717]

1971 VW Riviera owner here, wish there was more info on the Riviera conversions. Always liked how my roof lifted completely horizontally instead of the angled roof like a Westfalia

[@Fuscao_Preto]

We still call it the Kombi in Brazil, we love it. ❤️

[@prod.mozmo3]

WOOHOO THE MICROBUS UP TO SPEED HAS COME TO LIFE!!

[@jakezubrod7906]

When you wanna live in a van down by the river, the VW bus is the way to go.

[@anvilsvs]

I was stationed in Germany 66-69. Once had a 57 Bus. 1100cc, 36HP. Mine was the fastest of those I ever saw, would reach 47 mph. But the brakes weren't up to that extreme speed and the handling was worse that the brakes. I've been told that you can roll one of those at 12mph in a flat parking lot and I believe it. They were designed for city delivery (50KPH/30mph speed limit) in Germany and were sort of adequate for that. Police in Kassel where I was stationed told me that engines lasted 2-3 months for them. They'd start them cold and instantly redline them in 20 degree and colder temps. But they didn't care because the VW replacement parts plant was in Kassel and VW replaced their engines for no charge. Wife had a 65 model which went through three engines in 40K. The next gen model from 68 handled better and had more power, but was if anything, even less reliable. Sister in law had a Westfalia which went through three engines in 80K, typical for that model. Basically not too bad for city delivery in Germany, pretty incompetent for anything else. I just roll on the floor laughing every time I see one of those going for some serious money at auction. I've always been a minivan person. Always thought I wanted a VW until I had one. I've been running Caravans and Chryslers for 35 years now and they're really good. Too bad that Chrysler is longer in business. Peugeot is now in charge and they treated me so badly on life time warranty for my 09 that I will never buy or recommend a Chrysler product again until Peugeot is gone. Kept my 09 for 5 MONTHS for transmission repair when the local dealer had the reman transmission in stock and could have installed it in two days. But they wouldn't authorize that, insisted on dealer rebuild. Car sat on various dealer lots while they fiddled around finding a dealer tech they would authorize to rebuild it. They probably "saved" maybe a thousand dollars on that repair and lost a lifetime customer who currently owns 5 minivans and 5 RM diesels.Never again.

[@YeeSoest]

My parents had a T2 and T3 in my childhood, a T4 in my teenager days...those things are just brilliant and quickly become a part of your family, of your house and your every vacation

[@lancejuliandudero1928]

Respect the Classics, Man.

[@LuizMGRamos]

I travelled to Paraguay from Campo Grande (state of Mato Grosso do Sul) on a Kombi (the name here in Brazil since it was introduced) with 3 rows of seats full of people plus me, a cousin and her friend on the rear panel right above the engine. No seatbelts for us. Such an adventure.

[@Charris4358]

Last year I rebought the 73 Kombi I drove in college way back in 1998. Getting it back on the road after a slumber. Can't wait to drive it soon. Such a strange and slightly unnerving experience sitting over the front tires. You really feel like you are sitting in the traffic!

[@MrBja-ts9xr]

I love how unbelivable American the wiev on the Bus is in the Video :D Im from Germany and here all the generations get the same love and attention from hardcore Bus nerds... Especially the T4 & T5s are currently the go to cars if you want to build yourself a camper. And nearly every craftsmen or family drives a bus. I belive it really is one of the most common vehicles here. But just in termes of size, its so much smaller than any american pickup truck, so why would you use it in the states as such an everyday vehicle...

[@facundootero7973]

In Argentina, we called the VW Bus 'Pan Lactal'because it looked like a loaf of bread, however it came with a defect from factory that made it become somewhat like the German version of the Ford Pinto, the tube which carried the fuel to the engine was made out of rubber and was close to the bumper so if anyone crashed into your rear then there would be a fireball. Of course, people took notice of it and the owners decided to change their tubes material as well as the position to avoid this.

[@spaceramen2814]

i want one of these so bad, literally the perfect car for my friend group

[@misterbuklau4053]

Too bad theyre all over 20k now

[@aphex14]

@@misterbuklau4053 Thanks to the Barret Jackson Bus, that brought in 200K...Purposely driven by a certain group in the VW community.

[@mexicanspec]

Contact me. The Mexican buses are still available and not that crazy on price.

[@misterbuklau4053]

@@mexicanspec Yeah but dont you have to import them

[@mexicanspec]

@@misterbuklau4053 That is not a problem. Most of them fall under the 25 year exemption and the process is easy and not expensive.

[@fabianbello3268]

In Mexico we still call the type 2 and it's derivatives as the "combi", even other vehicles used as minibus today are called combis, despite most minibuses today are Toyotas and Nissans

[@joyfuflower]

The ID Buzz also marks the return of rear-motor VW busses!

[@w41duvernay]

WHY do I get the feeling Nolan And the crew are actually battling out at work who is the best driver?

[@Yashuop]

Your consistency and quality of content never disappoints!

[@devonesq.7533]

a bot responding to a bot, youtube is such an amazing platform

[@hugocorreia8039]

Hello bot

[@rytek4274]

Read this comment as 💩 covers the screen... yep quality content right there lol

[@yungboicontigo9278]

@@devonesq.7533 lmaooo

[@MyNamesMonkie]

Hey thanks You said it good

[@BRENTxBEAR]

the new electric Bus actually looks sick! and its one electric i wouldnt mind owning.. too bad dealerships will add like $10k-$20k in "market adjustments" for it.

[@sageboneless3572]

growing up, i’ve always had either a vw bus or beetle or both in the driveway bc my dad always buys them and restores them. my favorite one was the one that we always camped in, it was sky blue and i loved sleeping in the pop up tent when it was slightly raining. he ended up selling up, but i do want to get my own bus at some point

[@liamleech4748]

Honestly the 2nd gen and 3rd gen with the pop up top is the one I see the most and is the one everyone wants causes you got that extra space up top😂 in Canada there are pretty common but you go to buy a half decent one and they are like 17k so it makes starting up a build impossible. A lot of old people here just redo them

[@CringeTheGinge]

I got lucky with mine, bought it for 10k just outside of Calgary and all it needed was a new coolant tank

[@JONBEEOTCH]

@@CringeTheGinge I've had my vanagon westfalia for 12 years, got it in Vancouver for 3k... and there were plenty in that price range 😬

[@prod.mozmo3]

James has inspired me to learn German it truly is a beautiful language

[@sandrinowitschM]

It's less impressive if you don't angrily shout everything.

[@SuperwurstLP]

For me as a German it sounds so much more aggressive and ugly when Americans try to speak German. German is a hard sounding language yes, but especially Americans are exaggerating the sound of it way to much.

[@sandrinowitschM]

@@SuperwurstLP I think it's because they have to force some of the harder sounds to get them halfway right and then inadvertently overdo it. Also it's a meme at least as old as Hitler.

[@prod.mozmo3]

@@SuperwurstLP yes I try to say it as normally as possible and completely off note my favorite word so far is Treppenwitz you guy’s language makes so much more sense than ours

[@NickGregory]

I absolutely love my T3, despite it having all the aerodynamics and looks of a brick! After upgrading to a 1.9 Golf TDI engine it’s been the perfect road trip vehicle!

[@roland9367]

Yeah the T3 is nice but it really needs better engines. Then it is a usable roadtrip van!

[@quillmaurer6563]

This is the most extensive coverage you've done of the often-mentioned Chicken Tax, but I think it really needs it's own video, feels like a perfect Wheelhouse episode. Go into more depth on the history of it, the under-the-table dealings, and the impacts it had, including what vehicles we don't see in the US market due to it. However to my understanding the VW Bus passenger or camper versions wouldn't have been impacted by it. It covered trucks and cargo vehicles, so the pickup and panel van versions would have been gone (these are now exceptionally rare), but passenger vehicles - even vans - were exempt. For that reason some vehicles were imported with seats temporarily installed, only to be removed and destroyed after import and the vehicles sold as cargo vans, this was done on a large scale by some companies, I believe including Ford (this too would be an interesting bit for an episode on the Chicken Tax).

[@helpmereach45ksubswithoutvideo]

These videos makes our days better

[@swapmeetlus4096]

Only time I’ve ever heard them being called “Kombi” was when I lived in Mexico. And bugs “bocho” we’re peoples god damn prized possession.

[@X88DRAGON]

im a Mexican and can confirm, some families of gearheads "like mine" take pride in owning at least one kombi or bug in their lifetime, sometimes even during all of their lifetime

[@mexicanspec]

Spelled Vocho, of course.

[@swapmeetlus4096]

@@mexicanspec My bad, been away from the motherland for 17 years now :/

[@ewdew1386]

My dad owned a t3, t4, t5 and now a t6 right after each other He speaks about them like you would talk about an old friend, its beautiful

[@TituzzzD]

5:14 fun fact, i worked at the museum where the Rumpler Tropfenwagen is displayed at: the German Museum of Technology in Berlin. It's an interesting car. The designer realized that drops (in German Tropfen) have a great drag coefficient and designed the car like a drop. But vertically instead of horizontally. 🙈

[@StSparky]

Not going to lie - as I’m old enough to be the presenters’ dad - I caused a 70s VW camper van to catch on fire on our way to a New Years concert featuring Zappa & the Dead. There were reasons but good memories …

[@EstebanDVO]

If you hate the Westfalia, we can never even be in the same room

[@davidmason5796]

My family had one my dad was a VAG head, it was a westfalia I think a T2 from the look of the list you showed. It had a pop up fibreglass roof with a bunk bed and there was like a cot attachment that went over the front seats.

[@p24p14]

I have a '73 Bus and it is an absolute joy to drive - wicked comfy

[@evilbeetlekustomscreations4965]

Thanks for teaching me something I thought I knew everything about✌

[@sangwonlee7705]

BRING BACK VERSUS BUT WITH TWO HOSTS ARGUING FOR EACH SIDE!!

[@purabus5450]

oh like top gear!!!!

[@CamAteUrKFC]

Love the fact that GT recognized your fan base and hired you guys to do a commercial. Shows GT cares, best race game period.

[@sez2429]

Rock on. Love the air cooled beat of my bus on a summer drive. Thanks for the informative video.

[@Cap_42]

As a bus owner myself, the whole van life movement kind of put a weird twist on ownership. Not saying it’s a bad thing, but everywhere I go people are asking me if I live in it or if I “do the vanlife thing”. I just think it’s kind of odd but I will never stop loving my air cooled investment!

[@alban9465]

now we certainly need an up to speed on the VW Passat! I hope you guys see it and consider it since i and i think many others would love to see it.

[@c10zane]

I had a very vivid dream about a 23 window today, never really gave them much thought but, I think I'm in love with these now

[@qwertzy5209]

I reckon the real things that started #vanlife at least down under was the Holden panel van and just the Aussie panel van in general like the sandman, falcon sundowner, Chrysler drifter, escort little rippa and Holden gemni gypsy panel van

[@hemidango8977]

JAMES!! For the next season of hi low PLEASE use 5.7 hemi charger/challengers and make them drag cars! Tons of upgrades available, tons of suspension options, and you can get them cheap!!

[@rickymorales88]

You guys were sponsored by gran turismo! Amazing…. Congratulations.

[@T_ndhlovunator]

I cannot express how much i enjoyed this, i fell in love with a T3 Microbus bus as my first car car ever.

[@ericschultz1073]

I will always love gt 4. My all time favorite gt. The intro will forever be remembered.

[@TacoJelly8]

A donut video a day keeps me sane

[@miikkamaikkari]

More videos of Jobes s14 pls

[@hectorgonzalez3512]

Here in Mexico we call them "combis" and were used mostly for public transportation in small cities and in Mexico city back in the 80s, They are so iconic that the new Nissan Urvans are also called "combis"

[@justinmiles2850]

Here before Donut changes the thumbnail 3 times.

[@Sebis527]

I’ve kind of already decided I want an ID BUZZ on nice wheels. 😅

[@Dave435l]

I was thinking the same think until I saw the starting price of over 50k

[@Sebis527]

@@Dave435l starting price it gonna be between 40-45k. Where you getting over 50 from? That being said, the 300 mile range EV price floor is around 40-50k. Plus 50k isn’t as much as it used to be 🤣

[@doodskie999]

These vans became so collectable in my country that some models are sold between 10k to 40k usd

[@bensullivan420]

i work 8-5 as a mechanic and we have two t2’s on our lot right now, pretty cool vehicles. thank you donut very bussy video

[@anjanladka]

Up to speed : ferrari (please):)

[@mrsirfordyt6137]

I was just watching a wheel house video. The how to out run the co- I mean… nothing…

[@bugjuicer]

Used to drive some restored T1's and T2's as event/wedding cars, restored and absolutely lux'd out. They were heaps of fun to drive, no power whatsoever, but backfired on the lift-off, and when it rained, the water would go up the windshield and come in the roof vent box, without fail. I got soaked on the rainy days, but sill heaps of fun

[@ExUSSailor]

Air-Cooled VWs are all just fantastic vehicles! I had a '71 camper with a 2.0L, dual carb motor, and, a '79 with an auto trans, and, Bosch fuel injection.

[@milesmansfield]

I would love to see an up to speed on 40RA, the lotus Carlton that outran the Bri’ish bobbys and is now missing BUT reappeared, not the car the plate and it was found on a hyundai Kona Although while I was typing this I put the plate into the plate checking website to check the name of the Hyundai and the plate seems to once again be registered to a green 1992 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton Turbo…

[@PoeticInsanity]

the carlton is so cool

[@kgb3803]

Day 106 of asking for up to speed on folkrace

[@maxij7132]

My grand-pa has still his VW T3 camping bus, he loves this bus

[@saint-cetacean]

My neighbor fixes up and retrofits T3s as a side hustle-- he works (owns??? unclear) a VW-specialist shop nearby. Super cool dude. He mostly focuses on making ambulance or SnR-style retrofits, but also does straight up Westies as well.

[@luchadorito]

An American talking about something german. Oh boy, I hope there wont be any screaming, bad accents, Fraktur and crude national stereotypes…