Friday, August 31, 2012

5 years with Big Blue

Today marks the 5th year anniversary of us seeing Big Blue for the first time. And it marks 5 years blogging here on this website. We have almost 1200 posts. It has been fun and at times, a drag, But the best thing is "meeting" all the folks who interact here and on the Facebook page. Thanks for the support and thanks for diggin' it. Here's a photo of what we first saw.



And here is a link to the first blog post we did.

And the email chain that got us in this mess:

On 8/29/07, Brett wrote:
Needs alot of work...
but I might be in love!
 
On Aug 30, 2007, at 9:09 AM, Elizabeth wrote:oooohhh, I am in love too!! Find out more details. That price is stellar, as is the year, the camper, the color. Let's see how much $$$ it would take to fix it up and most of all, where that rust is and how much there is. We could go see it tomorrow if you want on our way out of town...perhaps you can leave a little earlier.

On 8/30/07, Brett wrote:
He emailed me back. It runs fine, but needs new tires as it has been sitting awhile, so he thinks it would need to be brought via flatbed to a tire shop. I'll email him and see if we can look at it...

 
On Aug 30, 2007, at 9:19 AM, Elizabeth wrote:
think he can give you some pics of the rust?
I really like it!
 
On 8/30/07, Brett wrote:
I really like it too. I emailed him to come see it. I'll let you know...


So it goes. And so the story continues.... See you on the road.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Big Blue's VW Junk Drawer - Your weekly dose

Let's start with some pics shared with us this week. 

First up is Machelle R's photo from some bus camping at Tillicum Beach. Is this the cleanest campsite ever?


Then Brett - yes, same name as me, shared a picture of his '68 bus - yes, same year as mine. I saw a picture of Brett online and he looks damn like me. I'm a little scared. He may be coming to Finnon Fest this year. Worlds might collide.


And a last one from Nix over at The Air Cooled Pig who posted this to Big Blue's Facebook page:


Go Pistons!

Moving on...

Mr Orange der Story-Bus is headed back to Germany in this thing:


We are sad to see the bus and its drivers go. While we knew it was coming, having them as part of the VW scene here in NorCal was awesome. They will be missed and we hope they make it back for a VW Camper Family Reunion.


Speaking of VW Camper Family. It now has 1115 members worldwide. Amazing. It's totally free and a leader-less attempt to bring the VW camping nation together. Thank you for supporting it and everyone playing nice on it.


Last but not least. The Elementhis blog woke up and has started posting again. Aside from missing the opportunity to post a vanagon painted like the Island Hopper, it seems to be alive and well and promising more. Below are 2 photos from Syncrofest Elementhis shared in a recent post. You can barely make out the Island Hoppers logo on the side. owning a Vanagon painted like this has long been a dream of mine...


Putting the "fest" in Syncrofest:



Even more vintage images from the World Wide Web...










Wednesday, August 29, 2012

1957 VW Autoist











Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Vintage Tuesday: Street Camper


Monday, August 27, 2012

1969 Hot Rodding Magazine - Bug In








Friday, August 24, 2012

VW Bus and Pick-Up: Special Models

I always fail at book reports on this blog. So let me make it simple - VW bus fans will love this freak show of one-off buses, trucks and other vehicles that fall somewhere in between. VW Bus and Pick-Up: Special Models covers all buses, and shows you models you couldn't have made up if you tried. Great for the nice, wooden inside bookcases rather than the greasy shelves in the shop. Read it. 







Thursday, August 23, 2012

Quite possibly the coolest bus I have ever seen...


2 weeks ago I headed south to Antioch for Nor Cal Bus Fest 8. There were tons of great old VW buses there, but none came close to the one I saw them unloading as I walked in.


This 1951 panel bus is assumed to be the oldest surviving bus that was originally imported into America. It was imported to Hoffmann Motors on March 22, 1951! That is early!


Fantastic graphics. Amazingly simple, early design. Way cool.




Look at that interior (or, lack of interior!)











All in all, an amazing VW bus. I was glad to have gotten the chance to stick my head in it and check it out.

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