You can get type4s for £1k and no big deal to swap, it's a better engine than a type1. Subarus are mostly half the age of bus engines, in another 20 years they will be breaking down in similar numbers with different problems but for now you will get better reliability and performance, if you can do it all yourself like Matt it can be done at similar cost. Some people want an iconic classic looking bus with modern performance, others like the full classic experience. You won't find many owners of other classic marques who buy them knowing so little about old cars or have no mechanical or restoration ability.
Each to their own I think. It's your van,it has to suit you. My first van back in the late 70s was an upright tp and I remember it knocked spots off the commers and bedfords other people had. I loved the tinny purr of that aircooled it signified reliability it in my mind. I guess they have been abused, had poor maintainers or just worn out now. It's a pity really that we bay owners have to source alternative engines to get the best out of our rides, but at least our buses are still on the road and, variety is the spice of life!
Not convinced by that to be honest. People buy old cars because they like old cars. I don't think they all know about them, and n'or should they have to!
Registration. Theres a chance that old vehicles will lose their age related plates if they've been significantly modified.
According to what's been said so far I'll retain my age related plate. I've got original chassis / body, axles and suspension. That gets me enough points. I'm still not convinced it'll happen.
There 's time yet ....To be honest when these VW engines were first on the road they would be serviced a lot and would be trouble free , no less than any other vehicle on the road in the 70's . They require constant attention as did all of them of that time . Some guys have had some bad luck with some engine builders on here....which is bound to have an effect on what they think of the VW engine . If you can't do the regular work required on these old buses then it becomes an expensive joy ....if you have the time and knowledge to fix everything on them ...then you will probably be trouble free with them . I can fully understand why people want to put scooby's in there busses and i find them very impressive and at times quite envious ....but when (Push Comes To Shove ) ...no pun intended ....I like my bus to be a full Aryan breed because that is what i found attractive about them . I also have classic Foden truck ...Now if i told my mates i was thinking of putting a Japanese Hino truck engine in it ...Well They would tie my ankles to a tree and my hands to the back crossmember and drive of in low first gear