Hopefully this will pan out, but all goes to plan then you should see me cruising in this baby.Its an old Commer ambulance from around 1962, has fuck all kms on the clock and is as straight as they come. Im thinking slammed, with Volkswagen aircooled power, on wide fives. Will return it to its former glory as an ambulance, as it still has all the ambo gear such as sirens and stretchers etc. Anyway, its something to keep me busy.
[ Edited on 28-3-2007 by Hertz ]
[ Edited on 15-4-2007 by Hertz ]
warb ·
noice one
Turbo54 ·
Are these the ones that dont have wheel arches on the front?
Look cool with a set of billet wheels tucked up under there,
T54
Hertz ·
Turbo54 wrote:Are these the ones that dont have wheel arches on the front?
Look cool with a set of billet wheels tucked up under there,
T54
Thats the one.
Im hoping to get it low enough that you have to get down on the ground to see what rims are on it, but thinking of running BRMs or Radars. Not sure yet, gotta buy it yet, haha.
squizy ·
How cool is that.
Turbo54 ·
I was thinking like this!
[ Edited on 28-3-2007 by Turbo54 ]
Type3Sicko ·
kleenex and rubber gloves! that's sweet 🙂 you could offer all sorts of 'first aid' in that most premium ambo' not to mention converting catholic high school girls in trouble...but that's another thread altogether...top score!
*did* ·
awesome!
picked up my new ride monday night! looking forward to cruising
PrettyBlueBug ·
It'll be great Josh! :thumb
PHAT BUG ·
Look out boyz, coomers are the new splitty!!!
Heres mine.........
BenettonVW ·
So was that your other one Rhett?
byronbus ·
haha, unreal...
Hertz ·
Have to figure out a few things, such as whether to have the volks engine in the front mated up to the commer trans, or if I should go the whole hog and have a proper rear engine configuration. Then have to decide on type 1 or 3 engine. My thoughts are type 3 for clearance to the floor, but will work that out later. Then have to work out how to convert to wide five on the front if I run rear engine. I did think about simple adapters, but I want to retain that narrowed beam look on the front as much as possible. As for tyres, probably 145/65s or 165/45s on the front, as as much rubber as I can fit under the rear. Decisions decisions!
Unity-28 ·
Freaks....You and Rhett.......But I can see deluxe trim on it....!
Nectar
boristherat ·
Bloody Hell!
That will be some machine. A man with innovation, well done dude!
Can't wait to follow this project!
dubbill ·
you obviously have no idea that these thing weigh a shite load like 3 splits i picked up a schmick red commer from murwilimbah bout 10yrs ago for nothin as you do dropped a stroker 308 under the front seats mated to a manualised trimatic and 9in rear dropped on its guts it really was a sweet ride(for a commer) but it used a tonne of gas was heavy to steer hard to get bits for never had that "feel" of a volksy cos it was not and never would be a volkswagen but each to their own just BEWARE
PHAT BUG ·
Thats the whole reason we've got them, because their different!
If I want the "feel" of a kombi i'll drive mine,
Rhett.
[ Edited on 28-3-07 by PHAT BUG ]
Hertz ·
dubbill wrote:you obviously have no idea that these thing weigh a shite load like 3 splits i picked up a schmick red commer from murwilimbah bout 10yrs ago for nothin as you do dropped a stroker 308 under the front seats mated to a manualised trimatic and 9in rear dropped on its guts it really was a sweet ride(for a commer) but it used a tonne of gas was heavy to steer hard to get bits for never had that "feel" of a volksy cos it was not and never would be a volkswagen but each to their own just BEWARE
Are you telling me that they weigh as much as 3 splitties? Any car with a stroker 308 is going to use a shit load of fuel ya moron.
Im just trying to do something that hasnt been done, that will turn heads on a low budget, like my old car. If I wanted a splitty, then id buy one. Steering should lighten up a bit once the motor is in the rear id say, and if it doesn't then I'll take a teaspoon of cement and harden the fuck up!
[ Edited on 28-3-2007 by Hertz ]
[ Edited on 28-3-2007 by Hertz ]
[ Edited on 28-3-2007 by Hertz ]
PrettyBlueBug ·
Go for it I say. It will definitely be something different but very sweet. And hard steering atleast FEELS like you're steering... not like these new pieces of crap. My stepdad has no end of trouble trying to steer my Bug and he's got muscles from being a builder and a bloke, yet I find my Bug very easy to turn. Go figure! 😂
I can't wait to see the fruits of your labours with this one anyway Josh. If The Hertz was anything to go by, bring it on and soon! 👍😵💫👍
matara ·
Nee Nor Nee Nor Nee Nor
I wonder how long it takes to get a Commer Selecta going!
Looks like its got a monster rear view mirror, and how the hell do those wipers actually clean the window??
Good on you for adding a bit of diversity.
Cheers
Steve
[ Edited on 28-3-2007 by matara ]
kombikim ·
steering would of course be heavy with a 308 & Auto, over the front wheels, I am sure people out there know how much heavier the steering in a kombi gets with 3 people sitting in the front.
these vehicles originally had the 1600 motor from The Hillman Minx, & later ones the 1725, the carrying capacity (in cubic) was absolutely massive. and ease of loading was terrific because of the huge doors, the track was narrow to enable good turning circle & ease of parking, they were only really designed to cruise up to around 80kmh/90kmh, just like the splittie, so with the narrow track & wide body cornering at speed, just like the splittie, is a bit dodgy. Their main problem, like kombis was the potential to overheat in countries outside Europe if worked hard.
it was normal (& cheap) in the early 70s to throw a holden red motor in.
dak002 ·
Hey there dudes,
if you're moseying on down my way, yo sure be to stop by here
safe to leave them in my driveway,
those new fangled machines don't scare me none,
good luck pardners,
and don't worry 'bout them naysayers, all will be ok when they see it's all good..
Hertz ·
Well alrighty then cowboy!
Stanley ·
Man that's cool....factory lowered.
Mind you i wouldn't want to take a corner real quick....giddyup
byronbus ·
Looking forward to some progress...anymore pics, love it...
PHAT BUG ·
dak002 wrote:Hey there dudes,
if you're moseying on down my way, yo sure be to stop by here
safe to leave them in my driveway,
those new fangled machines don't scare me none,
good luck pardners,
and don't worry 'bout them naysayers, all will be ok when they see it's all good..
Is them banjo's I hear??
h ·
hey cool lookin project.. look fwd to following this one.. nice one
Hertz ·
lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalal I CANT HERE YOU!
DR PEPPER ·
You guyz are on drugz.
dvs_vw ·
sounds like every other car forum in here now!!!
Good luck dude, go with something out of the box....look forward to it!
squizy ·
Don't worry Josh. They said the Wright brothers wouldn't get that thing off the ground too.
Turbo54 ·
this is funny shit!
pete wood ·
Hertz. the best way is to prove him wrong. I had a mate say to me, that car will never get finished. It'll sit in ya back yard till ya missus get's sick of it and then you'll sell it.....
It's been finished and regoed for THREE years now.
Do it and rub the naysayers noses in it.
BTW, I'd put it on a beetle or type 3 pan if I were you. And if it weighs half as much as dumbell (sorry if I spelt that wrong) says, drill lots of holes in every panel that can't be seen from the outside. 😉
bugboymatt ·
Yay mean like dis !!! 🙂
Hertz ·
Thats the shit im talking about. Thanks for the pic. You cant tell me thats not cool! What do you think Rhett?
squizy ·
Thread cleaned up and returned.
Feeeeel the love....
MickH ·
Hey cool ride !!! There's a guy up here in Townsville who collects/does these things up!! Always looks funny driving past his house and seeing them in the yard and underneath the house !! (highset house,not buried Commers...) Should look good when you've had your way with it....😀
bugboymatt ·
It is cool....... 😀
dak002 ·
PHAT BUG wrote:
dak002 wrote:Hey there dudes,
if you're moseying on down my way, yo sure be to stop by here
safe to leave them in my driveway,
those new fangled machines don't scare me none,
good luck pardners,
and don't worry 'bout them naysayers, all will be ok when they see it's all good..
Is them banjo's I hear??
my you sure look purdy dancin there big fella
PHAT BUG ·
Why do I fel like the big black guy from pulp fiction??
PHAT BUG ·
bugboymatt wrote:Yay mean like dis !!! 🙂
Oh crap, I just fainted!!
Thats exactly what I'm talking about!
Josh, obviously you and I arn't the only nutcase's around!
Any more info on this beast? looks like its in OZ, be very keen to check it out!
bugboymatt ·
I believe it resides in syd somewhere !!! I think the guys down at www.livinglow.com.au might be able to shed some light on it 😀
Twokombies ·
The idea of grafting it onto a beetle pan sounds innovative. I was thinking though that with all the engines about you might fir a 2.6 Mitsubooshy in ;maybe even turbo?
The front end should be easy to get down as I think they have leaf front springs. Some new Ubolts and a couple of lowering blocks and down she goes.
Up the back I would be surprised if it wasn't the same set up.
Good luck anyway, looks like a great project
Desert Bug ·
Not so simple I'm afraid, coil front and leaf rear, only problemis the diff is under slung, so blocks will only raise it.
Twokombies ·
Maybe the diff could be mounted on top of the springs, coils can be cut and pump up shocks fitted.
I thought plan # 1 was a bit too easy.
The motor has an endless amount of options, the old holden red motor would not be too hard to fit either.
Hertz ·
My thoughts are, to lift the diff up on top of the leaves, with adjustable length shackles, and air bags. On the front Im thinking of fabricating adjustable height strut tops, shortened struts and bags. Just an idea! Then type 1 motor mated up to hillman gearbox, just have to work out clearance side to side.
Unity-28 ·
Josh, Have you got it yet.....Are you in Melb easter weekend? Probably gonna be at Marks putting my beam in....Maybe we can all come over and see what needs to be done, to get it closer to earth.
Nectar.
matttyler ·
These things are unreal. Must admit thought Rhett was mad until I had a look at his. They have huge potential and lets face it no where near the rust issues that splittys have !! They also have the narrowed beam look standard !!??
Good luck with the projects fellas. I cant wait to see some results. Its great to see something different.
Cheers
Matt
wacked1 ·
i must say i love this thread, i have a keen interest in all things ambulance, i would love to do a simular thing if only i could find a derelict ambulance, i think i have found a dodge fargo ambulance just have to get the dollars to pick it up.
i'm an ambo and there is a guy who advertises in our ambo news letter who might be able to give you any info you need on these vehicles.
can you post pictures of the equipment you have or a pic of the rear or send me some pic to
. v8kombi@yahoo.com.au
cheers Ron
Grey 57 ·
Way way back when I was a teenager in NZ, a guy had a Morris J4 van with a mid mounted 289 Ford V8 engine and 4 speed box. It was called the Bread Van and even had some old signwriting on it and was complete with Peanut sheel mags and wide Micky Thompson tyres. As a 18yo I th ought is was the Ducks Nuts.
This is a Morris J4 In standard guise.
Look forward to seeing this one Josh. Go for it mate.
[ Edited on 1-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]
[ Edited on 1-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]
Grey 57 ·
What about this one. !!!
VWFREAK ·
I' like it! Very cool in a different way. Gotta slam it though.
squizy ·
Grey 57 wrote:Way way back when I was a teenager in NZ, a guy had a Morris J4 van with a mid mounted 289 Ford V8 engine and 4 speed box. It was called the Bread Van and even had some old signwriting on it and was complete with Peanut sheel mags and wide Micky Thompson tyres. As a 18yo I th ought is was the Ducks Nuts.
This is a Morris J4 In standard guise.
Look forward to seeing this one Josh. Go for it mate.
[ Edited on 1-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]
[ Edited on 1-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]
I knew I had this pic in my archives. Slightly off track Josh, but similar theme.
Grey 57 wrote:Way way back when I was a teenager in NZ, a guy had a Morris J4 van with a mid mounted 289 Ford V8 engine and 4 speed box. It was called the Bread Van and even had some old signwriting on it and was complete with Peanut sheel mags and wide Micky Thompson tyres. As a 18yo I th ought is was the Ducks Nuts.
This is a Morris J4 In standard guise.
Look forward to seeing this one Josh. Go for it mate.
[ Edited on 1-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]
[ Edited on 1-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]
I knew I had this pic in my archives. Slightly off track Josh, but similar theme.
OMG I WANT ONE!!!!!
DR PEPPER ·
When you get home josh ring me...
Volksaddict ·
Mad!!...more pics of the Ambo please ..rhett
paulr ·
I reckon your on a winner mate - I've had my eyes out for one of these for years that was in good nick.
humpty ·
matara wrote:Nee Nor Nee Nor Nee Nor
"Nee Nor"
Huh!.... Would make a good plate for it I reckon..... And your a nutter Josh.... I have always liked these things so Im diggin' this puppy bigtime!.... I wonder how tough it would be to slice up a baywindow bus and stick that under there?.... But then again.... Didn't the Brazilian VW Factory build a front engined, aircooled car back in the early 70's?
[ Edited on 7-4-2007 by humpty ]
Hertz ·
Spanish utes were front engine front wheel drive for a period. There was a pic of one in either Volks World or Ultra VW a little while ago.
baybuscamperkid ·
bugboymatt wrote:Yay mean like dis !!! 🙂
awesome shot, all it needs is the bumpers removed 😎 thought about gettign one of these babies a while back, but the cornering scares the heck out of me!
baybuscamperkid ·
type 3 engine sounds like a cool idea, or even 2l kombi, or if you wanted to continue down the rare path, how about a supercharged corvair flat 6? 150hp could be fun 😀
humpty ·
Is this 'cornering' concern a myth?... It would seem to be of little consequence given that fact just about everyone I have ever seen doesn't look like its ever fallen over.... The centre of gravity seems to be very low and well within the track and wheelbase, so I'd suggest the handling would be on par if not better than most contemporary vans of the time....
PHAT BUG ·
Cornering wont be a problem, once their slammed!!!
I reckon type 3, 2180 and twin 48s.
62deluxe ·
Wicked van buddy. I read the whole thread which is rare for me!
Good on you for starting the next big thing!
Now all the poms will be buying up our Commies too LOL.
62deluxe ·
I wouldn't mind a bongo van.......
62deluxe ·
Yeah baby!
Just put a VW gearbox and a 12A rotary in the back, sweeeeeet....
Hertz ·
Hey Jeremy, how ya been mate. Bongos are cool but they're hard to find in good nick these days. I reckon a rotor in the back would probably wheel stand off every set of lights. Those Bongos dont weigh that much.
62deluxe ·
Hey bud. All good here. There is a really good one just down the road from me actually. That's what makes me think of them lol.
How about a 13B turbo WOO HOO!
PHAT BUG ·
Just found out the photo of the blue panel is a photo chop, pretty pissed. did a good job tho.
DR PEPPER ·
I thought so.
kroozzn63 ·
yeah go the bongo
humpty ·
PHAT BUG wrote:Just found out the photo of the blue panel is a photo chop, pretty pissed. did a good job tho.
Yeah but Josh is about to change all that!!!
Hertz ·
humpty wrote:
PHAT BUG wrote:Just found out the photo of the blue panel is a photo chop, pretty pissed. did a good job tho.
Yeah but Josh is about to change all that!!!
So is Rhett. I can feel a whole new scene starting here.
CAFFINEPUSHERMAN ·
great thread when do you get it josh
Hertz ·
Paid for today Chris, will get Linden to pick her up for me in a couple of weeks. Very excitment Mohamed Jihad!
baybuscamperkid ·
Hertz wrote:
humpty wrote:
PHAT BUG wrote:Just found out the photo of the blue panel is a photo chop, pretty pissed. did a good job tho.
Yeah but Josh is about to change all that!!!
So is Rhett. I can feel a whole new scene starting here.
How did she go Rhett? Hey while we are talking bout it, I was looking at some pics of Commer front suspension, and it looks like it wouldnt be all that hard to make a set of lowered king pin carriers.
[ Edited on 13-4-2007 by Hertz ]
empi ·
Dump this! Tempo mattadore style Commer!!!
Hertz ·
Only 8 ton too heavy!
PHAT BUG ·
Yeah went good Josh, just got to find time to strip the carby down, its got a blocked accelerator jet.
Yeah i know but i have some good crazy ideas!?!?!?
DR PEPPER ·
:duh
oval TOFU ·
I wanna see it in the flesh Josh! Mohammad Jihad Dirka dirka!
empi ·
dirka, dirka, dirka!!!
Turbo54 ·
hows the crazy paint on the car in the background!
T54
BenettonVW ·
Very Nash Delivery like aren't they?
koolkarmakombi ·
this one around the corner
PHAT BUG ·
I LIKE IT!!!!
madcamper ·
Definately different. I remember as a kid seeing them every-where.
Show us the progress😀
handycam ·
i found a good commer 2 day when i went 2 get some splitys thay are cool looking things
captainvw ·
thats sweet hertz goodluck with the build see alot more splittys than commer ambo's to hell with hard steering do it!so much potential
keep us posted with update pics👍
PHAT BUG ·
The god damn bastards are breeding.........
And check out this freak of nature, had a look at it today. trying to talk my dad into buying it.............
DR PEPPER ·
I found one for sale,Will get some pics for ya Rhette.Im not interested PURIST..so your welcome very cheap and the shit.
wacked1 ·
i want one can you let me know if Rhette passes
PHAT BUG ·
I'm thinking of letting mine go, its the panel with no side windows, let me know.
Cheers, Rhett
Hertz ·
Cheers Rhett, thanks for your help on the weekend mate, mucho grasias!