Looking for a VW Bus?  Good Choice, but Make Sure You Know What You're in for First.

Next to the Beetle, the VW Bus has the biggest following. Those lucky enough to have one generally cherish it for it's unique design.

The Volkswagen Bus was originally conceived as an alternative to station wagons in the late 1940s. It eventually became a well known icon among the Hippies of the 1960s and sold rather well, although it had the same small engine that was hardly adequate even in the Beetle. The original Bus (also known as the Transporter or Kombi) was eventually replaced by the Vanagon (and later the Eurovan) in the US model range, but it enjoyed long production life in other places until recently.

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The Bus was available in several guises, including a two or four door pickup, a panel van, and a camper (Westphalia) in addition to the normal version. This fact makes the VW Bus a usable vehicle even today, with one for any walk of life. That is, if you don't mind being outrun by concrete trucks and having only a couple thin pieces of sheet metal between your legs and an oncoming semi.

What should you look for in a bus? This is a big one, and depends on several factors: How much cash do you have to spend? How much work do you want to put into it? What is your level of mechanical skills? In most cases, you are probably better off buying a nicer bus, rather than trying to restore a total beater. For a first bus, I recommend getting the straightest, driest (rust-free) bus that you can. You have a rather steep learning curve ahead of you, and a good solid bus will help reduce the slope.