NEW 2011 VW BULLI vs. OLD HIPPIEVAN, PLUS NEW CONCEPTS, DIECASTS TO LOOK AT

David Jefferis looks at the VW Bus

Mat Irvine’s VW Microbus article stirred up some comments, especially when we invited comparisons with the new Bulli version, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, which ends on 13 March.

Other ideas out there

Seems as if VW’s Bulli is a bit plain-Jane for VeeDub fans, and too similar to people-movers like the Ford Galaxy et al. Also, the 2001 concept was - and remains - sooo much cooler. So I thought it might be interesting to see what else is out there, and ran across a couple of concepts. First off, the Photochop from ‘D nice’ at VW Vortex smooths off the nose and blacks out the glass to bring back some character - compare them above and see what you think. I know which I like! Then there’s also the work of Canadian designer Alexandre Verdier, whose ideas are very nice indeed, especially his ‘woodie’ version, shown after the 'read more' jump.

Fast bus with solar assist

Fired with enthusiasm - I'm a one-time ‘Bay Window’ owner - I got out my pen and marker to sketch out a thought for a performance-orientated replacement. Well, they’re only a couple of quick sketches, though right now, I could do with basking in the sun with my auto-extending sunshade in operation! Oh and that's the iPad I'm reading, unclipped from its normal position as a touch-screen instrument panel on the dash.

Diecast Microbus options

As Mat had reviewed the Revell kit, I thought I’d see what’s what in the world of diecasts, and snouted around the SMN Cellar of Surprises, to come up with these three examples. The pale green VW is from the Cars toon movie; it’s about 1:64 scale, and is quite cute, especially as the eyes open and shut depending on your angle of view. If you’re into theme collecting, then this would make a fine addition to the Cars car park.

Custom job from Maisto

The other two VWs are to 1:25 scale. The wine-and-black one is made by Maisto, and represents a lowered custom version, fitted with trick wheels, chromed engine, 15 (yes, 15) speakers, and even an LCD TV showing a Microbus video. I replaced the roof panel with transparent acrylic, otherwise the Maisto is stock, as bought. It’s perhaps more toy than model, but fun stuff nevertheless and a great buy for anyone who is into vans and campers.

Classical bus

The other Bus is from Chinese company Welly, and it’s titled a ‘Classical Bus’, representing a 1962 split-screen version. It’s a very basic representation, with no opening doors or engine detail - the only working item is the liftable rear window. Even so, the Welly - like the Maisto - has a floor pan and bodyshell joined by screws rather than rivets, so the way is open for a fairly straightforward detailing job.

On-the-spot Bulli take from Geneva

My photographer friend Tim Andrew has just come back from taking pix at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, where VW demo’d the Bulli’s folding bed, and apparently it works really well, and Tim was duly impressed. 

So there’s hope for it yet - maybe a wild paint job, outrageous wheels, and tinted windows will sprinkle enough magic dust to make the Bulli brilliant! 

Visit VW Vortex here.

Tim Andrew's Yellow Wheels site is here.

See the Revell VW bus kit here.

Other Microbus models here.

The pictures show, top to bottom:

1  Bulli and Bulli, courtesy ‘D nice’.

2  Alexandre Verdier’s Woodie camper - nice one, Alex.

3  DJ performance Bus concept sketch.

4  DJ at ease under his self-erecting sunshade system - aah!

5  1:64 scale VW from the Cars movie.

6-8  Maisto and Wellie diecasts in 1:25 scale.

REVELL VW MICROBUS AND A NEW VERSION AT THE 2011 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Mat Irvine looks at the 1:24 scale Revell VW Microbus kit

Way back in 1957, Revell Inc was based in Venice, California, close to the sea and surf of the Pacific Ocean. The company produced a kit of what was becoming one of the vehicles in which to carry your surfboard. But this wasn’t a product of one of the major American car companies - instead, it came from the other side of the Atlantic, for it was a kit of the German VW Microbus, also known as the Samba or Combi. 

Revell and Hasegawa link up

The kit used a multi-piece body, in that you got separate side, front and rear panels, roof and four doors, plus hatches at the back. Over the years the kit was modified (the rear hatch was enlarged) and reissued in a number of guises. But the kit was slightly showing its age and when Hasegawa also decided to make a VW Bus, (with van and pickup versions as well), Revell (which had a tie-in with the Japanese company for some time) reboxed the kit and issued it as its own. This time the body was the more usual one-piece, though features such as opening doors and separate engine were not a feature of the Hasegawa version.

New version of the Microbus

Now Revell has gone full circle with a third version of the VW Microbus, with Revell-Germany producing a brand new kit. This uses the original multi-piece body approach, but with many more details than were first supplied. However, it is one of the very few multi-piece body vehicle kits that is virtually impossible to assemble ‘as one’, then paint; it all has to be done as individual panels then bought together with the final assembly.

Left or right-hand drive?

Optional parts, mainly bumpers and lights, are supplied for Euro and US specifications, and number plates for a variety of countries including the UK, though the vehicle itself is supplied only as a left-hand drive vehicle. Swapping the steering wheel over for a UK-specific vehicle is less of a problem that the fact that the rear double-doors swap sides as well, so are more of a modification - one for the really dedicated!

One oddity though. Although this kit is brand-new tooling, some parts can be seen as copied old to new and are virtually identical. But the original kit was listed at 1:25 scale, the new one is to 1:24...

Volkswagen at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Meantime, at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, VW has shown off its latest version of the ‘Hippiemobile’. It’s called the Bulli, and is a sleeked-over modern take on the basic concept. What do you think of VW’s latest - more or less character? It’s in concept form at the moment - do you think it ought to go into production?

See the VW bus kit here.

VW T3 camper van here.

Other Microbus models here.

The pictures show, top to bottom:

1  Box for the new VW Samba bus.

2  Box for one of the previous issues, this is actually a Revell GB product.

3  Comparing the parts from old (left) and new. The older kit was still fairly comprehensive, but the latest kit has more parts.

4  Side of the new kit’s box, showing the two intended colours - red and white, or blue and white - though the final scheme is really up to you.

5  The completed kit finished in the red and white scheme.

6  As a comparison, the Hasegawa VW Bus in its pickup version.

Review kit supplied by Revell.