Wild West Wagen

From the outside this custom Dove Blue Panel Van looks just like – a custom Dove Blue Panel Van! Open the cargo doors however and you step straight into a wild west saloon!

- David Eccles

The van was originally bought by Dave Garnsworthy of Vanworx back in 1998, after it recently had been imported from California as an already fully restored custom bus. In keeping with the US Cal Look /street rod bus tradition, as well as a fresh new coat of Dove Blue paint, it had been fitted with a 4” narrowed beam, flipped drop spindles and a straight axle conversion at the rear. A new 1776cc engine had also been fitted, featuring twin IDF 40s, Engle 110 cam, 4 – 1 headers, deep sump, remote oil cooler and Pacet electric fuel pump. Completing the look was a set of banded 14” steels complete with enamelled Wolfsburg crest centre badges. Whilst such mods are common nowadays, back in 1997 stock was still the norm – even Rikki James was driving a stock(ish) Samba at that time! Other custom touches included air scoops on the rear vents and a white steering wheel complete with Wolfsburg crest horn push

You’d be forgiven for thinking this 1959 model was of an earlier vintage however, as the engine lid with centre mounted integral brake light was only fitted on US spec buses from March 55 > April 57. A true buffer however will have spotted the lower position of the tail-lights and inform lesser mortals this is definitely a 1959 bus as the tail-light repositioning took place on December 29th 1958 and furthermore that they are 100mm lower and 12mm nearer the sides! To the rest of us it’s just some subtle and cool body styling and customising that adds to the overall appeal of the bus. The buffer may well go on to point out the windowed tailgate with half-moon finger recess was only used from 61 – 63, but more of that later!