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People don’t usually think of old VW buses as overlanding machines. Of course, you can modify just about anything to go off-road, but this 1966 split-window model is, for the most part, completely stock. That doesn’t stop the owner from exploring hard-to-reach destinations, and when he gets there he even has a wood stove to warm himself up during cold desert nights.
We’ve been treated to a comprehensive guide to VeeDub’s classic Drive The Globe Youtube channel. It’s a bit rough on the outside, although owner Peter Vollers likes it for what it is. It still wears the original Velvet Green color, which has turned a little darker over the decades. The rust spots are actually treated the same color and blended to match the patina, and Vollers also installed a safari window in the front at the same time.
The air-cooled engine at the rear produces about 40 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. This is where the overlanding aspect comes into play, as Vollers explains that the bus uses a portal axle at the rear with very good articulation. Combined with low-speed first gear and a set of 27-inch off-road tires, the old Volkswagen is pretty damned in off-road situations, and we mean off-road. The video below shows an old bus driving through the cobbled paths of Moab.
The interior is also largely original, right down to the bench seats that fold into a bed. The wood stove is an addition, mounted behind the passenger seat with the chimney running straight through the roof. The hob has a flat top for cooking, and according to Vollers, it generates more than enough heat to keep the van warm on cold nights. An additional butane heater installed between the front seats replaces the stock heater to keep things warm while on the road. Other items such as the speedometer, horn and radio are the same as in 1966.
Classic VW buses like this split-window have increased in value dramatically over the last few years. Vollers says his van could be worth between $50,000 and $60,000, but we suspect his adventures behind the wheel are nothing short of priceless.
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