Hello

I discovered this forum through an article in Kombi Life Magazine. It sounds like a great place to hang out, learn and share.

I live in Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A. Flagstaff is at 7,000 feet elevation, since the air is thin up here and I drive air-cooled cars, I go by "ThinAir".

I don't actually own a bus. "Darlene", a 1975 with transplanted camper stuff, is my son's daily driver. I'm the mechanic who keeps it on the road. My daily driver is a 1973 VW-Porsche 914. My other son drives a 1965 Beetle and a 1970 VW-Porsche 914. As you can see, air-cooled VW disease is rampant in our family (I'm proud to be responsible for that!)

In a previous life, Darlene followed the Grateful Dead around the country. Along the way the hippies had corrupted the wiring and had installed a Type 1 engine. We purchased her after Jerry died and the hippies decided there was no reason to own it anymore. I've straightened out the wiring and transplanted the engine/transmission from a 1979 camper that was too rusty to save.

Of course, Darlene still has issues. It sits too low in the back, or too high in the front, or both. The ball joints need to be replaced as well as the CV boots. And then there is the surface rust on the body that seems to be growing like mold.

So I'm here mostly to search and learn so that I can find affordable ways to keep this classic on the road and reliable. Hopefully my Type IV experience with 914s will also allow me to contribute once in awhile. (And if you are wondering about 914s, visit www.914world.com)

Ernie DeVries
Flagstaff, AZ U.S.A.
1973 VW-Porsche 914, 2000 Eurovan Camper, 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI
1975 VW Bus - "Darlene"

 

Welcome indeed. Nice to have a bit more international input.

Some pictures would be good, but don't gloat about the weather

 

Welcome along mate .I like your username

 

Somehow I knew I should have included pictures! Would you please point me to a HowTo on including pictures? I found a reference to such a thing, but my search didn't turn up the actual HowTo. I haven't been able to figure out yet on my own how to include a picture from my computer.

 

welcome to TLB ThinAir ;D

pull up a chair and enjoy your stay ;D

 

Let's see if I have this photo thing figured out.

 

welcome matey, yep piccy work, loving the sticker look

 

This photo thing works really well once you figure it out!

 

your version on too rusty to save and the u.k folks version differ............the green monster is a minter......

 

Welcome to the site ThinAir, Enjoy

 

Hello and welcome. great pictures O0

 

Welcome M8 & well done on the rugby. 8)