VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Shaun Van Ramen · Post by **Shaun Van Ramen** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:01 pm

I am sure many of you have seen them on the road. On the No. Shore today I saw this one. There is also a white/pinkish (salmony) one as well on the N.S.
I even saw one in Japan recently (although the VW logo was hand made)

Does anyone know if it a Subaru or Suzuki? Tres Cool!

Manitoba deli · Post by **Manitoba deli** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:07 pm

Quite sure it is a Subaru, can't remember the model off hand.

Jason

westendah · Post by **westendah** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:18 pm

This is a VW bus-look kit on a Subaru Sambar (KV3).
Here's one in Japan:

http://subarucars.kamikaze-drive.com/SAMBAR005.htm

after oil · Post by **after oil** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:22 pm

subaru sambar, honda acty, and suzuki carry have all had those kits put on them. i imported one for a lady in powell river. parts are hard to source, the subaru has a constant velocity transmission which cant be repaired or replaced

thedjjack · Post by **thedjjack** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:30 pm

after oil wrote:subaru sambar, honda acty, and suzuki carry have all had those kits put on them. i imported one for a lady in powell river. parts are hard to source, the subaru has a constant velocity transmission which cant be repaired or replaced

You could replace it with a Suzuki GSXR motorcycle engine...now that would be a fun ride!! Welder standing by

westendah · Post by **westendah** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:31 pm

Thanks for the full info, after oil. I shopped for one before looking at Delicas because they looked so cool - until I read about that transmission, the CVT came on little Subaru 2 & 4 door AWD compact hatchbacks which were sold in Canada back in the day, when I worked as a car washer at a Don Docksteader dealer, the mechanics warned me about the cost of repairing the transmission, never mind the fact that they have no overdrive so once you get on the highway there will be no passing what so ever. Funny to drive though, kinda like riding a scooter with one big gear! Yes I would go for the Busa engined version for sure ;)

Shaun Van Ramen · Post by **Shaun Van Ramen** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:34 pm

thedjjack wrote:You could replace it with a Suzuki GSXR motorcycle engine...now that would be a fun ride!! Welder standing by

I was thinking a supercharged GL1800 - but much more weight than a 'busa'.

westendah · Post by **westendah** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:48 pm

Turbo Busa?

glenn · Post by **glenn** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:53 pm

try the subaru domingo - it is exactly the same mini bus with larger engine and available with manual transmission. It apparently can even travel at highway speeds for extended time. same engine as the justy, and you can find them with the same vw kits. Like this (if your into barbie)

Rising Sun Auto Import · Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:58 pm

glenn wrote:try the subaru domingo - it is exactly the same mini bus with larger engine and available with manual transmission. It apparently can even travel at highway speeds for extended time. same engine as the justy, and you can find them with the same vw kits. Like this (if your into barbie)

Cool!

psilosin · Post by **psilosin** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:55 pm

The Subaru Sambar van and truck is available with a manual transmission and is also available with a supercharger for the 660cc engine. Apparently it goes like a bat out of hell with no problem at highway speeds even with a big heavy driver. I would have to see it to believe it though...

Chewy · Post by **Chewy** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:03 pm

The superchargers tend to go on them though, and that can be a pain. The one in the picture at the top is a Suzuki Every/Carry Van. You can get all of em in standard, the autos, like the l300, have a bigger final drive so highway driving is "ok".

I have one that I'm currently restoring and turning into a "custom/bosozoku style" ordeal. In short, they're fun and cheap toys, especially if you live on the north shore and commute into metro vancouver, since steering lock is about 75 deg, parking is hilariously simple given that it's quite narrow and short in length.

thedjjack · Post by **thedjjack** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:28 pm

got a link to a build thread??

Chewy · Post by **Chewy** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:50 pm

I don't yet, but I figure it's about time now that the weather is warming I can get back to work on it.

I'm at work at the moment and they block photobucket, I'll post a few progress pics when I get home.

how it arrived

pulled the front off.. little surface rust

cleaned and prepped, then hit with rubberized rocker coating (not quite done yet in this pic)

de windowed all around

threw the front back on for a test fit of the wheels to see how they'd look

currently she's stripped inside, the outside was waiting for warmer weather, now that it's here (kinda) I'll be scuffing and smoothing. Have a bit of fiberglass work to do
then it's getting some paint, a lovely wood steering wheel, and corduroy seat covers.

WayneB · Post by **WayneB** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:20 am

Hi Wayne here Im in Perth Western Australia, have a 1989 Suzuki Super Carry Van and was wondering if anyone can tell me where to get
a VW front body kit from and approx how much they are? Thanks look forward to any info you may have

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VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

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