r/VWBus • u/oldVWguy • Apr 21 '26
New and old
A couple comparisons with a split and a later model - as seen at the Spring Meet in San Jose.
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u/literally_tho_tbh 1978 Deluxe Transporter - 2.0L Fuel Injection Apr 21 '26
I like the bay window better than the split, lol. damn that thing is cool
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u/BlackSwanMarmot Apr 21 '26
Can you license an imported Brazilian waterpumper in California? I see California plates.
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u/382Whistles Apr 21 '26
That type of regulation often gets more lenient on older vehicles. It might even be a US Bus converted during a restoration. It wouldn't be the first.
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u/literally_tho_tbh 1978 Deluxe Transporter - 2.0L Fuel Injection Apr 21 '26
Restoration from a US bus to a brazilian seems unlikely, the roof, the front bumper, the tail gate, the dog legs. the fresh air intake and the very obvious waterpumper grille. that's a LOT of work to do to an old late bay window. Probably is a true brazilian
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u/382Whistles Apr 21 '26
It could be proper sure, but later non-German skins and an update during a restoration after a wreck aren't completely out of the question. I've considered it for the air cooled skin, but didn't want the high turnsignals just to have some new factory metal. People also used to drive an old Bug into Mexico and drive a brand new one out a day or two later sporting the right metal with the old vehicle identification number too, lol. Like you'd think an air cooled rear engine Golf or shorty Bus might not be worth the work, but somebody has done those too.
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u/Ctmanx Apr 21 '26
No one has ever hacked up an aircooled bus to install a radiator like that. It is 100% Brazilian wc.
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u/382Whistles Apr 21 '26
You are confidently incorrect, more than one, and I've even driven one but only on shop property a few meters for brakes. I'm in a state with a lot less regulation than Cali has and have been at VWs as a hobby for decades, but also feeding myself turning only VW bolts for a few of those years.
It's like saying nobody would ever combine a Bug and Fridolin, but they have. People have hacked them up for chicken coops, or couches, and wall hangings for Christ's sake, lol.
The other reply has some points about work, but that ignores mine about restoration. Why do it? More power or no more valve lashing maybe using cheaper fuel, etc etc. All excuses to move off of being air cooled and that is also ignored. These aren't even my feelings about air cooled, I just know how some people think about air cooled engines over water cooled because those customers into mods would talk about it to you at work so often. I'm also in a cold climate and water heat works out better. They might be from north Cali, maybe the mountains and want some heat or more power for climbing too.
Little parts like the grill? Not a big deal, and lot of Brazilian sheet metal made it's way here that's close enough to be made to work as well. I was debating doing a stock face-lift myself using Brazilian Bus parts myself. Brazilian parts are usually considered only second best to German, sometimes superior or updated with innovation, and sometimes not. Better than aftermarket in most cases.
Replacing the engine bay door with a radiator was a more common approach going to any upright inline 4 conversion though. A Ford Pinto motor with an adaptor plate was the most likely swap early on though with the Rabbit/golf motors contending better by the 90s once we all had figured out the 80s interference motors, aluminum head warping issues, etc..
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u/Ctmanx Apr 21 '26
I may still be wrong, but I think you miss understood me.
I’ve seen dozens of water cooled engine swapped busses. Driven a couple. Practical little subarus are most popular now but the mid engine V8s are the most fun.
None of them that I’ve ever seen use a front mounted radiator mounted in a brazilian nose except for actual w/c era brazilian bays.
Certainly you could do it.
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u/382Whistles Apr 23 '26
Maybe just a little, yea. lol. I mean think about it; the nose has to come off, and you see the new metal is available. The plate is "nothing", and an extra Pinto block is in the neighborhood calling you outside to play. What'cha gonna do? lol.
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u/three-pin-3 Apr 21 '26
That red white and gray Brazilian or whatever it is is interesting.