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VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:01 pm
by Shaun Van Ramen
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!

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:07 pm
by Manitoba deli
Quite sure it is a Subaru, can't remember the model off hand.

Jason

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:18 pm
by westendah
This is a VW bus-look kit on a Subaru Sambar (KV3).
Here's one in Japan:

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

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:22 pm
by after oil
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

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:30 pm
by thedjjack
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 :-D

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:31 pm
by westendah
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 ;)

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:34 pm
by Shaun Van Ramen
thedjjack wrote:You could replace it with a Suzuki GSXR motorcycle engine...now that would be a fun ride!! Welder standing by :-D
I was thinking a supercharged GL1800 - but much more weight than a 'busa'.

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:48 pm
by westendah
Turbo Busa?

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:53 pm
by glenn
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)

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:58 pm
by Rising Sun Auto Import
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! :-D

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:55 pm
by psilosin
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...

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:03 pm
by Chewy
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.

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:28 pm
by thedjjack
got a link to a build thread??

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:50 pm
by Chewy
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. 8-)

how it arrived
Image

pulled the front off.. little surface rust
Image

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

de windowed all around
Image

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

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.

Re: VW, Suzuki or a Subaru Bus

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:20 am
by WayneB
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