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What the ?!?! ...only in Japan
type3lover - April 19th, 2006 at 07:06 PM

Hey everyone,
I just had to share these pics that were taken on a recent visit to Japan. Scary stuff...Does anyone know more about what they actually are?
Cheers!
Toby


[ Edited on 19-4-2006 by type3lover ]

mackaymanx - April 19th, 2006 at 07:32 PM

More here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VW_Type_2 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:VW_Bus_lookalike_2.JPG 

[ Edited on 19-4-2006 by mackaymanx ]

crazyfiggi - April 19th, 2006 at 07:55 PM

i want one.
alex.

mackaymanx - April 19th, 2006 at 08:05 PM

Still more

http://66.34.72.138/cgi-bin/gallery-search.cgi?string=jd

Volkswagenboy - April 19th, 2006 at 08:05 PM

Me too, I'd drive it... sometimes.
-Staggers.

MikeM - April 20th, 2006 at 09:50 AM

http://www.geocities.jp/kgdgk927/mbfn.html 

shaihulud - April 20th, 2006 at 11:04 AM

So now the obvious questions. Who makes them? Why had VW not stopped them from having the VW insignia on them? Surely that is a registered design.

mackaymanx - April 20th, 2006 at 12:37 PM

it's all done aftermarkets, from what I saw in the articles one of them is a subaru

VWFREAK - April 20th, 2006 at 01:24 PM

Crazy.

kombi kountry - April 20th, 2006 at 05:46 PM

From what i've seen they're quite common over there and from memory they're based on the subaru, suzuki, and daihatsu minivans (kei class cars), and yes...the vw thing is all aftermarket so no copyright infringements i guess. The daihatsu van was sold in oz for a while.

baybuscamperkid - April 20th, 2006 at 10:45 PM

heard a funny hing about those, see if you can spot the grill on the front? guess what happens to a watercooled car with no ventillation on a hot day? :P

type3lover - April 22nd, 2006 at 07:22 PM

Yeah I couldn't believe my eyes!
I guess if the mod is "aftermarket" then VW would not be able to stop them, however it seems a little dodgy nevertheless.
I'd also be interested to know what they've done with the radiator!
Anyhow, there are a handful of nice old Dubs in Japan but they come with the price tag.

Volkswagenboy - April 22nd, 2006 at 07:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by baybuscamperkid
heard a funny hing about those, see if you can spot the grill on the front? guess what happens to a watercooled car with no ventillation on a hot day? :P

They've solved that problem...

http://www.geocities.jp/kgdgk927/Dscf0041.jpg

-Staggers.

Calcool - July 17th, 2008 at 07:08 PM

Hi Guys,

Yes thats right they are even called a Samba when sold new by Subaru who make the vans, but they do not sell them with the kit on.

The kit can be sourced thru Flat Four but only in Japan.

The vans come in a range of engine and tranny types, but you can get them with a 3 cylinder rear mounted 660cc supercharged motor. Factory standard!

Very cool and I see them all the time when I am in Japan and threaten to take one to the Subaru Factory when I am there for work.

They are a funny bunch the Japanese, they love their old cars and keep them under lock and key, but it is not unusual for 800 perfect VW's to turn up to a show there.

Cheers,

David

vwjon - July 17th, 2008 at 08:19 PM

ok how much is 78 yen, anyone care to translate the writing on the vans? cheers jon

guru - July 17th, 2008 at 09:57 PM

Must have to be really skinny to drive one of them.
Look how close they are parked:crazy:

Calcool - July 18th, 2008 at 07:41 AM

The window signs are missing about 4 zero's.

A rough calculation is to divide by 100 from yen, making them about $7800 $AUD.

There is a guy in the UK importing them and selling them for 5000 pounds a pop.

Cheers,

David