Goodbye, old friend.
Jason Torchinsky at Jalopnik offers a wonderful goodbye to the faithful Volkswagen Microbus. This year marks the end of production, which continued in Brazil. The cab-over design that makes the Bus (and Vanagon) such a pleasure to drive resists meeting current safety standards.
So much of my driving experience has been rear engine, VW boxer designs. The Bus, the Beetle, the Vanagon, Porsche’s 356 Speedster and 911. They are truly beautifully designed and a pleasure to drive, each within its limitations (or in the case of a modern 911, lack thereof.)
I’ve harbored the fantasy of buying a new Brazilian bus for years. I’m sorry to see it go.
Old-School VW Microbus Will Finally End Production This Year via Jalopnik