Finally a VW Topic!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Probably the main thing would be the 'portal' axle with reduction hub. I think it is a distinct part from the reduction boxes in the Type II bus.

I'm not sure about it, but it would sound smarter to re-use those very same reduction boxes in the Kombi instead of developing newer components. Germans take this cost-cutting measure so seriously to the point that a W124 Mercedes-Benz relies on the same steering tie-rod ends used in many older air-cooled Volkswagens with the torsion beam front suspension

I'm wondering if the wheels are worth more than the rest of the car.

It doesn't sound so likely to happen in Brazil, since even an older car like that one would still retain a considerable value compared to a similar in Europe or the U.S.A. that would've been most likely to go for scrap.

[freebeard]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_axle


https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2344037

Kublewagen from Wikipedia [missing parts] at the top, a bus axle painted for a Kubelwagen replica below. Looks like a big maybe.

OTOH The Trekker/Thing had double-jointed axles:
Facts About the Volkswagen Thing Car - THE THING SHOP

• Things have Thing-only ball joints.
• The passenger-side tie rod is Thing specific.
• The Thing front beam is different from the Beetle because it has a reinforced shock tower and plates welded on the rear for supports that attach to the chassis.
• Rear brake drums are Thing specific
• Master cylinder and wheel cylinders are not Thing specific. Front brake backing plate is Thing specific.
• Thing torsion arms (a.k.a. front trailing arms) are Thing specific.
• 1973 and 1974 Mexican-built for the U.S Things came stock with 14" Thing-specific wheels, but 15" were available as an option. 14" Bus wheels will NOT work. The original stock tire size is 185SR14...
• The largest tire that will work with stock metal fenders is a 205/75 R15.
• Thing IRS transaxles are basically the same as the Beetle. The main difference is side flanges, or "cups" being different. The ring and pinion are specific to the Thing. The gearing ratio is close to that of a 1966 VW Bus (Type II).

An early Kubelwagen prototype, much lower than the final version:

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/vw-kubelwagen-and-schwimmwagen-germanys-ww2-jeeps/

Here's the Type 87:

ibid

[ChopStix]

I wonder if that type 87 picture was faked? If you look at the roof, it appears to have been poorly photo shopped to hide a sun roof. Maybe?

Tractors have those portal axles. They are pretty common in the farming world.

Anyway here's a custom that I really like. Except I would have done a better job on the rear window/trunk area, and I would have not done the roof wing, which is weird as h*ll. But the rest of it is pretty cool.

[Fingie]

some modding to the front and slapped a American-sounding name, and people woul've bought it in the 50's and 60's as a second family car

[freebeard]

I wonder if that type 87 picture was faked?

Not to mention the starry sky in the daytime! Actually, in that era photographs had to be hand-retouched to be reproducable on the printing presses of the time.

Fingie — People in the 50s and 60s did buy them as a second family car. Or was that the joke?

[ChopStix]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Not to mention the starry sky in the daytime! Actually, in that era photographs had to be hand-retouched to be reproducable on the printing presses of the time.

No that is a rock face in the background as you can see shadows on it.

Fingie — People in the 50s and 60s did buy them as a second family car. Or was that the joke?

I think he meant the fins. But actually his joke might have been a truth, as American's were all about the fins. So maybe they would have bought more V-dub's had they had the fins. I know I can't not gawk at a car with fins at car shows!

I wonder which one looks better!

[gone-ot]

The bottom pix looks sorta like an overgrown Isetta!

[ChopStix]

I messed up. I should have put up a patriotic pic!

[Fingie]

yeah, the fins were the joke about weedubs

[freebeard]

They were possibly inspired by Shakey Jake's Worst of Show winner at the Orange County Bug-In:


Cal-Look.com - Nostalgia Corner by El Dub

1980s Stars and Stripes.