Corvair Powered: 1972 Volkswagen Short Bus

Custom builds are typically designed to stand out in a crowd, and this 1972 Volkswagen Short Bus ticks that box. It appears its creator performed the work to a high standard, and the Corvair motor transplant should provide a significant performance gain. It is a turnkey proposition needing nothing, although there is scope for personalization if the new owner wishes to make their mark on this classic. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting the VW listed here on Craigslist in Shorewood, Wisconsin. The seller set their price for this quirky beast at $27,900 OBO.

Volkswagen introduced the Second Generation of its T2 Bus in 1967, with the final vehicles rolling out of North American showrooms in 1979. Larger and heavier than its predecessor, one of the most noticeable changes was the introduction of the one-piece windshield. This Bus rolled off the line in 1972, but much has changed since that day. Somebody has taken a big slice out of the vehicle’s middle, eliminating the entire area previously occupied by the side door. It is unclear when this occurred, but the seamless finish suggests that the builder performed the work to a high standard. They didn’t stop there, applying a striking combination of Turquoise and White paint, helping the already distinctive Volkswagen to stand out. As with the panels, the paint presents extremely well, and since the seller has kept the vehicle safely parked in a climate-controlled garage, it should be rust-free. The tinted glass is in good condition, and the reproduction BRM wheels add to the visual appeal.

The amount of steel cut from this Bus during the build would have dramatically reduced the curb weight. Therefore, had the builder left it mechanically stock, outright performance would have improved markedly. However, its creator didn’t restrict the custom touches to the body, because they discarded the VW flat-four in favor of a 145ci flat-six from a Chevrolet Corvair. Teamed with a two-speed Powerglide transmission, they quote a power output of 84hp. The Powerglide might take the edge off the motor slightly, but it should still feel pretty energetic. The seller recently fitted a new custom exhaust, a remanufactured starter, and a new battery. They performed a complete service, cleaned the carburetors, and treated the vehicle to a tune-up. They say that it runs and drives perfectly, and can be considered a turnkey proposition.

We haven’t finished with the custom touches, because this VW’s interior brings more to the table. The seller fitted the seats with new tweed upholstery, adding ABS door and side trims for a clean look. They repainted the dash in the same White as found on the exterior, bringing us to one of the few potential weaknesses. The finish around the gauge cluster is inconsistent and looks slightly rough around the edges. Fixing it shouldn’t be difficult, but it is a curious fault considering the high standard of finish elsewhere. They finished the roof in bedliner, but that and the cargo area could be where the buyer makes their mark. It presents quite nicely in its current form, but a custom headliner and covering some of the exposed steel, such as the area behind the seats, with appropriate material would give it a more “complete” look, and would reduce interior noise as a happy consequence. However, doing so would be a matter of personal choice.

The longer I scrutinize the seller’s listing images, the more the word “quirky” springs to mind. This 1972 Volkswagen Short Bus is designed to draw crowds, and it would also make an excellent promotional vehicle for any business. The seller’s price isn’t cheap, but when we consider the engineering involved in the conversion, creating a replica for that figure would be challenging. It has only been on the market for a day, but how quickly do you think it will find a new home?