K2 / Proflex Riders Group

General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Spokes on August 02, 2010, 09:36:11 am

Title: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: Spokes on August 02, 2010, 09:36:11 am
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/11359/normal_K2_.jpg)

Spotted the VW splitscreen in the photo being used as a bike stand  ;) and wondered what its story was? Is obviously lives in Toronto and possibly belongs to Advantex...
As Proflex's and old VW's are my thing tell me more.... :)

Chris
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: DugB on August 02, 2010, 12:56:00 pm
Not mine, but I, too, am an old VW enthusiast as well as a Proflex nut. Currently working on resurrecting my 1973 Fastback after being T-boned in it 2 years ago. Just replaced all the ball joints, tie rod ends and steel brake lines/hoses a few days ago, and am now working on sourcing some replacement steel for the rear drainage flap area. I've redone (2) '74 Supers, a '60 European Beetle and a '69 Squareback in my time and hoping for many more projects :-)

- Doug :-)
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: Spokes on August 04, 2010, 10:14:54 am
Ahh and I thought vintage motor cycles were your other thang. Nice one Doug.
My list of VW's owned so far are: '72 1302s beetle, '67 1500 beetle, '66 Splitscreen, '72 bay, '74 bay crew cab, '64 splitscreen, '67 splitscreen, '64 Karmann ghia, '67 Hustler buggy, '64 GP swb buggy, '65 splitscreen, '74 bay, '66 beetle, '73 vw Porsche 914, '78 bay, '64 splitcreen single cab.
Hmm sounds a lot when you write them down. I still have the '66 splitscreen which I've owned for 17 years and will never sell, plus various other projects.
Chris

Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: DugB on August 04, 2010, 11:12:55 am
Well...Yes, motorcycles too :-)

Wow, that's quite a list! Splitscreens are awesome...would love to have one of those, but alas, I need to get better with the welder and finally pony up for an Argon tank (I've been making due with the flux-core wire, which usually requires me to grind off more metal than I keep). Pictures!

- Doug :-)
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: spikebender on August 07, 2010, 11:41:49 pm
Cool, I always tell my buddy " If everybody drove VWs you would'ent have that proublem" So simple, yet durable. I've Owned four myself. First a 74 sqback, 66 bug, and two 69s. Dont own one right now, been keeping my eye on a clean 69 bus round the corner from house. he's askin a little too much. I'm hopin he'll get tired of me bugging him (lol)
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: fyrstormer on August 11, 2010, 12:55:53 pm
I tell you what, that "if everyone drove VWs" rule only applies to the old ones, 80's and older. Starting in the 90's, VW embarked on a bold mission to over-engineer everything they could and assemble the parts in such a way that you have to do really stupid shit to perform simple repairs. Changing the timing belt on my 99 Passat? Gotta take the bumper off, including the radiator. Replacing suspension arms? Gotta loosen the subframe the engine attaches to and drop it down a couple inches. Need to top-off the A/C refrigerant? Well, you can't just check the pressure and add whatever's necessary, because the compressor has variable compression, so instead you have to drain all the refrigerant into a holding tank and weigh it before topping it off and putting it back in. Hell, even topping-off the coolant requires bleeding air out of the coolant system using a technique that requires tilting the car in order to work properly. They don't care about the little guy anymore, they only care about keeping mechanics employed.
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: w2zero on August 11, 2010, 01:19:05 pm
Not just VW on the crazy over engineered dept.  Late model Cadillac and even Jeep Grand Cherokees are $1200 to $1500 for labor to change out a heater core.  Just remove everything behind the firewall and ahead of the front seat.
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: Spokes on August 11, 2010, 01:56:21 pm
I tell you what, that "if everyone drove VWs" rule only applies to the old ones, 80's and older. Starting in the 90's, VW embarked on a bold mission to over-engineer everything they could and assemble the parts in such a way that you have to do really stupid shit to perform simple repairs. Changing the timing belt on my 99 Passat? Gotta take the bumper off, including the radiator. Replacing suspension arms? Gotta loosen the subframe the engine attaches to and drop it down a couple inches. Need to top-off the A/C refrigerant? Well, you can't just check the pressure and add whatever's necessary, because the compressor has variable compression, so instead you have to drain all the refrigerant into a holding tank and weigh it before topping it off and putting it back in. Hell, even topping-off the coolant requires bleeding air out of the coolant system using a technique that requires tilting the car in order to work properly. They don't care about the little guy anymore, they only care about keeping mechanics employed.

How times change. I timed myself to see how long it would take to change the clutch thrust bearing a few years ago on a splitscreen van........28 minutes. That was engine out, bearing changed, engine back in and started up. I did have a hand to steady the enging on the jack though.
But you do have to be very dedicated or a glutten for punishment to drive one as a daily vehicle in UK.

Chris
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: Spokes on August 11, 2010, 03:19:50 pm
Most of my photos are old school so I dont have them on computer but -
This was the single cab
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/normal_lucy1.jpg)

Chris
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: spikebender on August 11, 2010, 10:52:39 pm
Come on guys, You know I meant only the classics. If the engine is'ent in the rear, under the bonnet. The emblem might say VW, but it's just not the same.
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: Willie_B on August 12, 2010, 03:27:24 am
My other toy is a classic mini. Being used as a pacecar in this pic.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/wbrosselle/pacecar4_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: Spokes on August 12, 2010, 08:01:24 am
Come on guys, You know I meant only the classics. If the engine is'ent in the rear, under the bonnet. The emblem might say VW, but it's just not the same.

I know what you meant  ;). Although with my current car project being a VW Porsche 914 ive forgiven them for putting the engine in the middle. Its still air cooled and rusts like mad so it more than qualifies!

Chris
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: purple gerbil on August 12, 2010, 11:40:51 am
Had my eye on a beetle with the wizard body ;D Had just got some cash together to go & make an offer & it dissappeared :o gutted :'(

Now the bloody thing has reappeared 2 years later & now i aint got no bloody cash :'(
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: WD Pro on August 12, 2010, 02:27:23 pm
I tell you what, that "if everyone drove VWs" rule only applies to the old ones, 80's and older. Starting in the 90's, VW embarked on a bold mission to over-engineer everything they could and assemble the parts in such a way that you have to do really stupid shit to perform simple repairs. Changing the timing belt on my 99 Passat? Gotta take the bumper off, including the radiator. Replacing suspension arms? Gotta loosen the subframe the engine attaches to and drop it down a couple inches. Need to top-off the A/C refrigerant? Well, you can't just check the pressure and add whatever's necessary, because the compressor has variable compression, so instead you have to drain all the refrigerant into a holding tank and weigh it before topping it off and putting it back in. Hell, even topping-off the coolant requires bleeding air out of the coolant system using a technique that requires tilting the car in order to work properly. They don't care about the little guy anymore, they only care about keeping mechanics employed.

You forgot about changing the battery ...
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: Spokes on August 12, 2010, 02:39:37 pm
Currently working on resurrecting my 1973 Fastback after being T-boned in it 2 years ago.

- Doug :-)

Pictures  :)

Chris
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: fyrstormer on August 16, 2010, 08:42:36 am
I tell you what, that "if everyone drove VWs" rule only applies to the old ones, 80's and older. Starting in the 90's, VW embarked on a bold mission to over-engineer everything they could and assemble the parts in such a way that you have to do really stupid shit to perform simple repairs. Changing the timing belt on my 99 Passat? Gotta take the bumper off, including the radiator. Replacing suspension arms? Gotta loosen the subframe the engine attaches to and drop it down a couple inches. Need to top-off the A/C refrigerant? Well, you can't just check the pressure and add whatever's necessary, because the compressor has variable compression, so instead you have to drain all the refrigerant into a holding tank and weigh it before topping it off and putting it back in. Hell, even topping-off the coolant requires bleeding air out of the coolant system using a technique that requires tilting the car in order to work properly. They don't care about the little guy anymore, they only care about keeping mechanics employed.

You forgot about changing the battery ...
Nah, the battery's easy. I can change that myself in two minutes; I know, because I've done it three times in five years. No, there are no ground faults. Fortunately I've not been one of those people who've had the battery explode upon starting the car. Oh yes, the starter puts so much drain on the battery that the battery thinks it's a short-circuit, and old batteries have a tendency to blow acid all over the engine bay. mmm, electrolytes...does a body good.
Title: Re: Who owns the VW Combi behind the 4500?
Post by: ChilliConCarnage on August 24, 2010, 01:42:05 pm
I miss my 62 double door panel TII.  I had it slammed to the ground with a full camper interior, 6 Amps, 4 subs, two TVs, a custom high-output alternator, dual batteries, and a DP 1835cc engine.  I also had an original roof rack and tent.

I sold it to a guy a ouple of years ago who turned around and sold it to a marketing agency that was representing a beer company.  They painted a mural on it and sent it across the US in a marketing campaign, along with a bunch of other Type IIs.

I miss it!