The Wheelie Bus and the Doesn't Wheelie Bus...

[Flat_Out]

So, if it's radio controlled and Volkswagen related I have to have one in my collection! Some people collect strictly Tamiya kits, or SRBs, or monster trucks, etc... but me, I'm the VW R/C guy. When the Wheelie Bus came out, I thought it was terribly ugly but still had to have one for my collection. The kit was an easy build and has a nicely detailed body. The Bus body (despite being a bit cartoony in proportion) is way better detailed than any other Bus body you can get now. So, with that in mind, I thought I would build a little street cruiser Bus based on that body. As many people have figured out by now, it's a bit too oddly sized to fit on any production chassis. So... you can see where I'm going with this. When I want something that doesn't exist, I make it.

Here's where I'm at.

Mr. Smashy V2.0 in the background with box..

And the parts to build the chassis:

Only the rear axle and a few bits of hardware are missing from the pic. I designed and cut the 3 main chassis parts just to fit this body and work with other spare bits I had laying around. The top plate (brushed aluminum) might need to be re cut, I'll have to see if I can get it bent correctly. You'll see how it all fits together soon.

I had to order some hardware that will be here on Monday. The rear axle will be the same as in my black and red split bug- straight axle threaded and pinned to accept wheel hexes. This way I can use the hexed Porsche wheels with a pan car style rear. Squeezing everything in the rear is tough, but I made it work. I mocked it up with a 540 but might just install a lil 380 for cruising around.

The hardware will be here Monday. Until then I'll get the body painted with the green and white pictured, and assemble the chassis as far as I can. Using some of the paint masks I cut on the plotter too! I don't have time to cut all those mask by hand, so I did it the easy way.

And... did Tamiya bite my style?? haha. my bus from 2005! A "Herbie" bus body stuck on a TLT chassis. Old old pic... It was Mr. Smashy V1.0

I'll update soon with the chassis assembly progress.

[lupogtiboy]

OOOHH!!! A fellow VW collector! I tend to buy anything VW R/C related too, static, die cast, ect.... VW rocks my world since my 96 6N Polo I used to own, and mostly now due to my 2003 Lupo GTi, but I also work for VW to get my fix too!

On the pic of Mr Smashy V1.0, is that a Maisto 1:10 Samba Bus underneath?

Link to mine in my showroom! http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=114771&sid=24472

I'll be watching this thread! YAY!!!!

[charlie787b]

I love where this is going,chassis parts look awsome is the diff and motor pod from RM-01?

[Flat_Out]

Thanks guys. Yes, I have a bit of a VW problem. What do you do for VW? I've got an 08 Golf GTI, and a 57 ragtop Bug. We don't get Lupo's here in the states!

The Bus at the bottom of that pic is actually one of the 1:6th scale buses from the same Herbie series as the smaller body.

And the motor pod is actually from some old Trinity car. Just some parts I had laying around.

[leg0man]

Nice start, that should make for a fun little cruiser

[markbt73]

Looking good! I love builds where someone just up and makes what they need if it doesn't exist. I wish I had better tools and skills to do more of that. Looking forward to more updates.

[Flat_Out]

minor update- the body is masked for paint. I'll do that this afternoon, and then start the wonderful process of cutting out the decals.

and chassis assembly is started. I decided to change the top plate a little bit. I didn't like the bend I was going to have to put in it between the back of the servo hole and where the front battery hold down post is. Now it will be two piece. I'll have to cut a new front part on Monday or Tuesday, but that's ok, I need to cut some parts for other projects too.

I should have this wrapped up by Wednesday, unless something crazy comes up at work and I don't have time to finish the assembly.

[lupogtiboy]

Looking fantastic!

I work as a parts advisor, our dealership does both VW and Audi, so best of both worlds!

[JAnderson]

Just and FYI the VW van will fit this Tamiya chassis

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=56708

[Flat_Out]

Just and FYI the VW van will fit this Tamiya chassis

http://www.tamiyausa...roduct-id=56708

Track width and wheelbase are way off. I've got that chassis here.

[speedy_w_beans]

If Tamiya would make a VW bus shell to fit the M06, I'd buy one.

-Paul

[Flat_Out]

It's still not quite done yet, but getting there. I've had a ton of work to do this week and haven't had time to work on it. I also decided to make a couple more parts for it, and change a couple things. I cut a couple new plates for the rear pod, but want to mod them a little and cut one more set. Then I need to finish the short steering linkage, and add electronics.

The body is almost done as well. The decals need to be finished up, and I need to finish adding the lip to the inside of the body that allows it to snap onto the chassis (instead of traditional body mounting posts).

[speedy_w_beans]

Nice job on the custom chassis!

-Paul

[Skottoman]

Best painting of this body I've seen so far, and you're not even done yet!

[billg4]

this is looking really sweet. I stop back almost every day to see the progress on this beauty.

[charlie787b]

That is realy cool looks just right.

Is it greeny grey paint or just reflection from your plants?

[Flat_Out]

That is realy cool looks just right.

Is it greeny grey paint or just reflection from your plants?

It's Pactra's RC297 "Kryptonite Gold" paint. it's a greeny pearl with a backing color. I put on an extra coat of the pearl to make it lighter. It gives it a pretty neat look. It's a lot greener in person though, looks different in the pics for whatever reason.

[leg0man]

Will the electronics be low enough on the chassis that you'll be able to add an interior over it? With that many clear windows, it'd be a great thing to have..

[Origineelreclamebord]

I love that low custom chassis you've got there, it seems to have a very neat finish! Where are you going to drive it? Indoors (on carpet)? It seems like it would be a pretty nervous right outdoors with bumps, small debry etc?

[Maximus Desimus]

This is by far the most amazing looking RC car ive seen.

Another VW nut here, i own only 3 VW 1:1 cars now haha

Planning on getting a wheelie bus and converting my holiday buggy to a beetle body

Hats off to you sir!

[Skottoman]

Would love to see this one done! So close, but yet so far!

Since my last comment, I did build up a Maisto RC VW Samba van onto a Tamiya M04 chassis. So there are more options for the VW bus scene... Just only 1/2 Tamiya. It actually runs quite well, and the M04 fits almost perfectly. Plus, it being a hard body, you can do almost anything to it! - http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=68373

Cheers,

Skottoman

[shenlonco]

Very cool!

What color is that you used it looks neat!

[Wild Willy Speed Shop]

Sweet, Love the stance.

[Maximus Desimus]

Any updates on this? Would love to see a video!

[Flat_Out]

I'm doing some construction in the garage, and my display/project shelves are all wrapped in plastic sheet right now. I'll post an update on it (and other projects) as soon as the garage is finished!