This video explains why ICON does what we do; revisit classic transportation in a modern context. This 1967 VDub is ready for adventure! www.icon4x4.com
I had a '77 VW van as my 'daily driver' for 27 years. The fun we had together was genuinely waaaaay 'beyond' explanation. Nobody could understand why I kept it for so long. But, after the second engine burned out, I couldn't put any more dough into it and let it go. That said, it's impossible to explain the real magic of that bus; other people knew it too and they couldn't put it into words either. I still really, really miss my t-r-u-l-y wonderful VW van.
Each of these derelicts are masterpieces. I hope you do these detailed videos for all of them, so people like me can keep dreaming. Two thumbs up Jonathan, I love what you do.
It looks like a classic for my. Wife , or my family to safely go into town from the country on a doctor visit or to a Bruno Mars concert or a U H game or even lunch at the hideout in Waikiki ! Mahalo bro! For explaining that bus so well and a tent on the roof to boot!
older than one my dad by 9 yrs but still awesome ,still reminds me of my dad's old buses he had ,red passenger model and the awesome 76 camper van ,which reminds me of both . l still think we had one of koolest vehicles anyone could own in the late 70s AND this old VW bus confirms it :)
if this van's rockin........ Thanks for another great show!!! when I get rid of my 68 bronco I will send you something to laugh about!!! I would have you do it but it has been a life time dream for me to do it and I get new thoughts on each and everyone of your videos. Thanks you are a great inspiration!!!
Usually when I watch a Derelict video I'm kinda quick to pick it apart .....but dammit this VW is perfect, combo of old and new is right on and does nothing but make me smile ....which is the point !
On one of my old busses I had a bumper sticker that said "0-60 in 30 minutes " I'd love to feel what it's like to drive at highway speeds in one. "Patina patina patina " if you put that on an ICON Derelict t-shirt, I'd wear it.
Now that is a fantastic derelict/sleeper. Perfect engine mod. Patina makes it. My folks had a '71 poptop when we lived in Colorado. Not the area to run one, never enough power. Then you froze in the winter and roasted in the summer.
The artistry in your builds continues to amaze me. I've watched a sampling of your videos, and I like the derelicts the best. They are respect for the past and going to the future with modern engineering and more than a little care and love.
Wow! This bus (and all other VW buses, panel vans, Westphalia's) takes me back to a much sweeter time I'm life. Wonderful job on the restoration and that roof tent...incredible. I could travel around the world in this bus and be ecstatically happy, content with the world. Thank you for sharing Mr. Ward.
Great Van my dad had this VW I was 4 and we drove from Idaho to Kentucky during his Air force Enlistment days I remember playing on the floor and sleeping on the floor Great Memories thanks !
That thing hits a sweet spot because it's so NOT about the engine or the performance. It's all about the interior and the functionality. This will be a big thing in the future, when people won't care so much about going fast because they realize that cars are fast enough already. It'll all be about feel and vibe and use. Pro-Purpose. If that term sticks, I want royalties.
Thanks for another amazing vehicle. I had a '72 that I drove from Kelowna BC to Cabo San Lucas and back and your build brings back good memories. That VW is going to be wayyyyyy more reliable and therefore more fun than mine was. I always admire your builds and look forward to seeing more.
Thank you, you've made up my mind! I've always loved VW Buses, and it's been a small dream of mine to find and restore one. I love how you've subtly modernized it while retaining nearly every aspect of the original state! Such a fantastic job! My goal is find one after I graduate (and hopefully have a job), then restore it and incorporate some of what you have done!
+Jonathan Ward OK... maybe not. I probably won't live that long. Back to looking for a Dino Coupe when my wife is done with chemo. I got a bad ticker and my time is short. Bon Chance.
+Jonathan Ward i think the words you might be looking for are anti status / aspirational. i have an 88 chrysler fifth avenue in mint condition. a car which in the 80s and 90s, journalists and many people poked fun at and thought were cheesy. its funny though, everywhere i go. i get thumbs up, young women commenting nice car, older women commenting, seniors stopping me and starting conversations, young kids / adults in awe over its design ... attention that would make bmw driver green with envy
"Handmade in Los Angeles California, USA" - another reason I love L.A. Thanks, Jonathan, for posting this Type 2 build. I drove one for years, most of my 20's and 30's, but I got too tall and eventually had to move on to a Land Cruiser; drove that one in my 40's and 50's. Got an FJ-55 now.
God bless you! Your work is just great! Really respect what you do to keep the spirit alive but with the reliability & comfort for these owners to enjoy them any and all time!
I completely understand and love the concept. For some reason though, the more I look at this bus, the more I think that were it mine, I'd have at least a new coat of paint on the outside. Weather protection. I had a new '66 Bus with a rear window only. Drove it for 2 years and sold it. Wish I hadn't now.
I just bought a 1973 Jeep Wagoner and if I only had the money i would ship it to you and let you transform it. I love your work and and the subtle attention to detail, it's what makes a good car builder a great car builder. On a different scale you inspire me to build what I want to build my family cruiser into. I love so many ideas out of this project and many others you have built.
I’ve gotta say, in this video, which is 6 years old at the time I’m making this comment, is the only time I have seen a stitch line that has any noticeable wave effect in the stitch path. It is a even outright visible being at the base of an interior component at the back of the vehicle. The talent and craftsmanship of whomever Icon has doing their sewing work is absolutely extraordinary. Many folks don’t realize how handy and satisfying it is to have the sewing talents. I myself have a pretty high skill level in the stitching talents. But the level of perfection I’ve noticed in the Icon build is beyond just talented. It is pretty close to absolute artistic perfection. Just SO impressive. 👍🏻😎👍🏻
Been following for a while, really respect the vision and attention to detail in all your builds. The elevation of the build to a high artistic and modern level designed for everyday use with out being pretentious.
I have watched about 15 of your videos. The only one I had seen before last week was Jay lenno, bla bla bla episode about your Desoto. There is so much more to your design language than what comes across in that first video. Thanks for nerding out on all of your projects
This is the new definition of "sleeper" - a recycled vehicle that can take on a whole new life with the...patina...that harkens back to it's original life. Well done!! And I do have to second the International Scout idea, having grown up with one in the family. Thank you, Mr. Ward, for being an artist and an automotive enthusiast.
Nicely done, you left out the engine compartment alteration of raising the deck height and cutting in a Vanagon top hatch to accommodate the increased height of motor conversion. As I young child, I grew up sleeping back there on long trips, have owned several plits since.
I have been following for a long time their jobs and this particular VW T1, impressed me here in Brazil, his works would much success, care for the patina (perfect) and also with advanced mechanics are impressive, especially with this VW model, I am an admirer of your machines, congratulations !!!
Another greart video. I had a split window bus which i created from 2 different buses. So am familiar with all the switches, panels, electrical, etc. You did a marvelous job. I would be proud to own one such as what you created. Thanks for posting this.
I just love you and your awesome team! You guys and ladies are incredible! Your work is just wow! Thanks for sharing another great video! Eddie J. Lake Grove Long Island NY.
I was happy to see a video about a 1967 Bus because i had one. I loved the smell, I loved the noise, I loved sweating my ass off with no A/C!! Everything about it reminded me of why I love the old VW's anti luxury! I had a bungee cord wrapped around the heater screw to hold my bus in 4th gear as it would pop out of 4th. I drove it like that for years and no issues! I bet a 100 million dollars that won't work on that bus if the transmission starts not working! My favorite part about that bus is that it looks like it can all be put right by a new owner when the current soul crusher gets bored with it or decides they want a modernized FJ.
I drove a 1966 VW bus from GA to Seattle down the Pacific coast to Ensinada Mexico and back to GA with 4 people and all our crap. The bus has all the original drive train even the front wheel cylinders we're OG. Still 6volt. We had to replace the gas tank from a lead we noticed in the mountains of Colorado and the throttle cable broke in LA. No other problems. The bus was 30 years old at the time. Just saying they are way tougher than people say. Slow yes and durable. 4 years later with new motor and transmission the bus took me from GA to Portland OR were I stayed and delivered pizzas for 6 months before returning back to GA. I had to replace a king pin on the front end. The bus has been sitting now since 2006 and will be on the road again this summer with new motor and transmission. Enjoy your bus
The bus has about 350k miles and had 4 motors 2 transmissions. That I know of. It has 80k miles on it when I got it. Yes I have had 2 fires but both were my fault. I put out the fist. Fire department put out the second on our double cab. Thankfully they saved it.
BTW the bus was also a daily driver from 1992 until 2001 and made many many road trips. Also The original generator gave up in 2002 and was rebuilt. Best vehicle ever made
This is my dream car, I'm 20 and I know my friends would love this. I will be giving you a call one day Jonathan, mark my words. You do great work btw. Nothing is half assed.
OMG I love I -had a mint 67 combi in the 90's and I used the hell out of it-lots of camping trips possibly the best time of my life.Sold it for 3500.00 :/
I owned a 63 Split Window. It came with a big hole in the roof with a residential, bubble-style skylight that leaked like sieve. I gobbed 7 tubes of silicone around the plexi roof lite and the next day I could NOT get inside the van due to the horrible fumes. Had to leave the doors open all around for week with a fan inside before I could drive it. Later traded it for a 63 GMC pickup with no top on it. Much better.
