MOC: VW Samba van

[Ralph_S]

I've had a Lego model of a VW Samba van for at least six years. The oldest phot I have of one dates from May 2005, which is when I bought my first digital camera. I may have built it prior to that. Back then, many parts that we have nowadays (cheese slopes, for instance) weren't available or weren't available in green. By now my model was beginning to look a bit antiquated compared to some of my more recent ones and for the last two years lingered in a box of models that I am likely to take apart. However, I couldn't quite bring myself to get rid of it, and decided to give it a make-over instead. I've also seen LEGO's camper van at the Great Western LEGO Show last weekend, which may have played a role.

It may look more or less the same as the old model, but it was extensively rebuilt. I decided to replace the non-LEGO windows on the old one with brick-built windows. I also decided to add the 'chrome' strip that forms the demarcation line between the two colours of the paint-job. I made the front wheel-wells nicer, lowered the ride height and made the small upper windows larger using cheese slopes.

VW Samba van (2) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

More changes were made to the back, adding bricks with a rounded top to the corners of the car body and using green grille tiles to represent the vents for the van's air-cooled engine instead of profile bricks.

I also decided to show the model with the sun roof in the opened position.

VW Samba van (3) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

As usual on my larger scale models the doors can be opened.

VW Samba van (4) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

Finally, here is a combined picture of the model as it used to look and the new version.

VW Samba van make-over by Mad physicist, on Flickr

Revisiting one of old models was fun. I think the old one wasn't too shabby, but with newer parts and perhaps a litte more skill, I think I managed to make a big improvement. I hope you agree.

Cheers,

Ralph

Edited October 10, 2011 by Ralph_S

[DLuders]

I saw a real VW (similar to the one shown below) at a local car show a few months ago, and I can attest that your model is very close to the real thing!

[dhc6twinotter]

Looks great! I love those 23 window buses. They are worth an arm and a leg now. Some friends of mine have a mint 21 window bus. I'd like to own one someday.

[Ralph_S]

Thanks guys. I too think that these are very cool in real life. They may have started out as work-horses, but have become something of a cult classic. I just couldn't take it apart.

Cheers,

Ralph