VW Adventures: 1971 VW camper bus

Who doesn't love VW buses!! I had always wanted a bus, ever since I can remember. I am not sure why but I loved them. I bought my bus in April 2010. She is a 1971 VW camper bus. Her name is Lilly. I thought that sounded like a happy name and for the most part she is a happy bus. She has a pop top so you can stand up inside her and store all of your gear up there while you are camping. She has a peace sign necklace hanging from the rear view mirror. I made funky ugly curtains for her, yellow flowers. She is outfitted with a sink, water tank and refrigerator. She also possesses several tables and nooks. There is a little closet and a very comfortable fold out bed inside. Bucket seats, covered in Hawaiian seat covers, a bumping stereo and shag carpeting. Oh yeah! I have everything that I need to camp at the drop of a hat, propane burner, tarps, flashlights, the works.

Of course, as with all VW's, it is mandatory to carry various and sundry spare parts should something break or otherwise malfunction. Oil and tools are also onboard. VW's are notorious for using oil.

Bumper stickers, yes that is also a requirement for buses. Her paint job is hideous. I painted some spots on her. She is red so she looks like a ladybug. Oh and then there are her eyelashes arranged around her front head lights. I have a compartment just for snacks so in case I should go careening over an embankment and don't die of my injuries I can survive for a month. Her heater does not work so well. It goes at the speed of breath so it barely keeps the windshield clear.

I talk to her in the morning when I drive her to work. She has an energy about her. She goes about the speed of smell so she is teaching me great patience and caring. Don't push her too hard or she makes funny noises, kind of like me. I do believe that I will learn to slow down and enjoy life a bit more while driving her. I will take her on my photography, sketching and other road trips. I pull over in the slow lane or slow moving turnouts so as not to become a recipient of road rage, a definite possibility. She accelerates from 0-60 in 30 minutes or so. I got the stereo so that when she makes those funny used car noises I can turn up it up so as not to hear what's going wrong.

That is Lilly. She is the vehicle of my adventures. We have many more journeys ahead…………….

About the Author

These are the adventures of Lilly, my VW bus, my traveling dog Tootie and me.

The Volkswagen Beetle

What does The Beatles, hippies, and Adolf Hitler all have in common? They all have something to do with the Volkswagen Beetle.

If you're one of the people who have lived through the psychedelic and groovy era which is the 60's, you've probably seen a Volkswagen Beetle. It can be pretty hard not to see one, it is the car which has the most units sold (20 million Beetles were manufactured, and some are still running today).

One of the proudest moments of the Volkswagen Beetle was when one was featured on the cover of coincidentally, the Beatles album cover for "Abbey Road". The Beetle on the cover instantly became a huge hit among the fans of The Fab Four. The car's license plate was stolen multiple times and went through different hands. The license plate became as popular, if not more popular than the car itself.

That original Beetle in fact, became almost like an icon that represented the era of the hippies. It is such a popular car that when it came up for auction in 1986, it was sold for an eye-popping amount.

Now while the Beetle with its air-cooled Boxster engine may not be have a lot of horsepower to spare, it more than makes up for it with its charming looks and versatility. The Volkswagen Beetle, or "Bug" as it is more affectionately called has a front bumper that seems to resemble a smiling face. And this feature is what made the Bug the hippies' car of choice. This friendly-looking car is used by the hippies not just to get from place to place; they also paint their Bugs with vibrant colours, in an effort to bring their message of love and peace to the masses.

But the Bug's history isn't all love and happiness. Most people don't even know that the Volkswagen Beetle's design was actually thought of by none other than Adolf Hitler himself. Hitler wanted a car that could be manufactured relatively cheap so that the masses could afford to buy one. This is where the company got its name; Volkswagen literally translates into "the People's Car".

But despite being the lovechild of the German Fuhrer, it still became one of the most recognizable car models, ever.

Do you have a love affair with old school cars? Then visit my classic car site today for all your muscle car information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Jason

The Volkswagen Touran – the 7 seater compact MPV

Volkswagen has been producing the Touran since 2003; originally it was available in 5 seat or 7 seat configuration. The new Touran unveiled earlier on in the year will only be available as a 7 seater. It is based on the Golf and similarities can be seen particularly on the front end.

The Touran is slightly larger than the Golf Plus; the Touran has a longer rear overhang accommodating the extra 2 seats. The new Touran has been available in the UK since September 2010; it has been given a cosmetic overhaul to match the looks of the latest Golf, Touareg and Polo.

As well as new bumpers, grille, lights, tailgate and alloy wheels, the face lifted Touran also has new interior trim, dials and a fresh steering wheel. The Touran boasts great versatility and practicality, the third row of seats fold down into the floor to give 695 litres of luggage space. Fold down the centre row of seats as well and there's a massive 1913 litres of space.

New engine choices have also been added to the model, there is now a new entry level 104bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine, along with the existing 138bhp or 168bhp petrol engine. There is also a range of diesel engines to choose from a 1.6-litre with 89bhp or 104bhp, or a 2.0-litre with 138bhp or 168bhp.

VW have added some new clean technology to bolster the Touran's green credentials, the 1.2-litre petrol and 104bhp 1.6-litre diesel will be available with BlueMotion Technology, the 1.6-litre diesel capable of an impressive average of 61.4mpg. With VW's reliable engines it is vital to ensure all routine servicing is carried out at a VW approved dealership such as the Volkswagen Touran servicing London.

Volkswagen has been producing the Touran since 2003; originally it was available in 5 seat or 7 seat configuration. The new Touran unveiled earlier on in the year will only be available as a 7 seater. It is based on the Golf and similarities can be seen particularly on the front end.

The Touran is slightly larger than the Golf Plus; the Touran has a longer rear overhang accommodating the extra 2 seats. The new Touran has been available in the UK since September 2010; it has been given a cosmetic overhaul to match the looks of the latest Golf, Touareg and Polo.

As well as new bumpers, grille, lights, tailgate and alloy wheels, the face lifted Touran also has new interior trim, dials and a fresh steering wheel. The Touran boasts great versatility and practicality, the third row of seats fold down into the floor to give 695 litres of luggage space. Fold down the centre row of seats as well and there's a massive 1913 litres of space.

New engine choices have also been added to the model, there is now a new entry level 104bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine, along with the existing 138bhp or 168bhp petrol engine. There is also a range of diesel engines to choose from a 1.6-litre with 89bhp or 104bhp, or a 2.0-litre with 138bhp or 168bhp.

VW have added some new clean technology to bolster the Touran's green credentials, the 1.2-litre petrol and 104bhp 1.6-litre diesel will be available with BlueMotion Technology, the 1.6-litre diesel capable of an impressive average of 61.4mpg. With VW's reliable engines it is vital to ensure all routine servicing is carried out at a VW approved dealership such as the Volkswagen Touran servicing London.

About the Author

VW have added some new clean technology to bolster the Touran's green credentials, the 1.2-litre petrol and 104bhp 1.6-litre diesel will be available with BlueMotion Technology, the 1.6-litre diesel capable of an impressive average of 61.4mpg. With VW's reliable engines it is vital to ensure all routine servicing is carried out at a VW approved dealership such as the Volkswagen Touran servicing London.