VW project: As '68 microbus takes shape, devil's in the details

The expansive, green, solar and lithium-ion battery powered Volkswagen is just six short months from completion and the ideas going forward are plentiful in Leif’s mind.

“We’re going to have two batteries now, which will give it a range of 150-200 miles,” Leif said about the 1968 microbus. The jump in capability enables the family-friendly vehicle to trek to the coast.

Encompassing the latest in electric motors, solar panels on the expansive roof, and a natural gas-fired generator to increase the van’s range, the bus in on its way back from being stripped down to bare metal. Eventually, it will be repaired to like-new condition, showcasing the latest of modern technology and style.

Taillights—from a school bus, no less—were just installed by Robert, who has been working tirelessly on the project for several months now.  Also installed was the VW logo, which doubles as a latch to open the back of the bus.

Sitting inside the back on Mercedes seats, you can gaze out the roof of the vehicle when the solar panel is lifted from its driving position.

There’s still much work to be done, to be sure, but the plan is taking shape: bamboo wood flooring; leather interior with chrome to make the inside pop; a table on top of the battery panel for card playing, reading or anything else a camper could want. Then, as often happens in the ever-creative mind of Leif, a lightning bolt of an idea: add two more seats to the back of the bus, but maintain all the space and comfort. Two folding seats will sit back-to-back with the paneling behind the driver and passenger seats.

As Leif mentions, however, it’s also the small details that set this project apart: custom, hand-altered metal will be formed to meet the wood flooring; a windshield wiper will be mounted atop the front glass rather than traditional below the window; the odometer and speedometer will be monitored electronically in the front dash board. If that’s not enough, a quartet of 1974 Porsche rims will give the relic bus a sleek look.

If you think Leif is done there, think again: the environmentally-friendly bus will have a rack atop the roof that can hold surf boards or wake boards, perfect for the outdoors trip to short sands off Highway 101.

For those who prefer cold weather activities, the idea is to include a mesh platform in the back of the bus that can hold all your snowy, wet gear.

Whatever the occasion, this custom-made ’68 beauty will have you covered.