Interesting album from the same user

Picture credit:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/79593880@N02/8564216720

Picture credit:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephentrinder/14941147493

From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/photiste/14533723932

Picture credit

Video walk through

Image credit and some discussion:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2015/01/08/not-your-average-hot-rod-the-barbeque-stove-bolt-special-heads-to-auction

Info: http://magazine.ferrari.com/blog/2014/08/italian-heart-american-blood

Article from the album: http://www.theautochannel.com/publications/magazines/sci/aug-sept-98/pg78.frame

Lots of info on Tom and on the Thomassima IIII (unfinished since his passing): http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/ferrari-discussion/10651-tom-meade-thomassima-supercar_update.html

Period article: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a6441/ferrari-thomassima

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Video at the Museo Ferrari in Maranello, Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU8Zwa7556k

60 Minutes interview with Tom Meade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jazEBNIV7K8

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Image credit:

http://www.topgear.com/au/news/2014/07/rare-breed/rare-breed-image-1

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/other-italian/16451-thomassima-ii-tom-meade-3.html

Description:

"For sale is the world’s only 1965 Volkswagen stretch microbus . . . with 33-windows and a ragtop sunroof. This bus was built by a VW-only restoration shop in Southern California for use as a limousine on the island of Maui, Hawaii. It can hold up to 12 passengers. This one-of-a-kind masterpiece took two years to complete, and was finished less than three months ago. It has approximately 1600 miles on the odometer. It runs and drives perfectly…tracks down the road straight as an arrow. And, best of all, this listing includes ownership of the fully-licensed limousine company that owns the bus, including State of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission licensing, company website, company logo, company telephone numbers, and embroidered Tommy Bahama drivers uniforms. The company (Endless Summer Limousine) is a turn-key operation that is garnering a ton of interest in its first two months of operation, and already has bookings well into 2015. In case you did not know, Maui is the number one destination wedding spot in the world, with over 7,000 weddings every year. With its unique niche in the marketplace, this company has limitless potential. Although it is a very difficult decision, sudden personal family issues are necessitating my relocation to the mainland and the sale of the company.

As stated, this stretch microbus was professionally built by a VW-only restoration shop in Southern California. No expense was spared during its two-year rotisserie restoration. Every single nut, bolt, and part is new...I mean absolutely everything. And, the parts are not swap meet Chinese junk. Only the highest quality parts that money could buy were used to build this vehicle (Wolfsburg West, Wolfgang International, Aircooled Accessories, etc.).

This bus is 100% rust-free, and the paint and body are incredible. The PPG paint was sprayed in original colors from a 1957 Chevy...tropical turquoise and India ivory. The entire bus, including the interior, frame, undercarriage, wheel wells, inside and bottom of doors, etc. was coated with POR15, a rust preventative. I had anticipated it would spend its life in Maui, so every precaution was taken to prevent rust from ever forming on this beauty. Wherever you live, rest assured this vehicle will remain in pristine condition despite the weather (or salt on the roads).

The bus was also covered throughout the interior with Fatmat sound deadening material…no excessive road noise to bother the passengers (or the driver). The Fatmat also makes the high-end stereo system sound impeccable (Alpine head unit, Alpine amp, 6 JBL speakers).

The bus is powered by a VW 2074cc engine that is a bullet-proof torque monster, with dual port, single carburetor, and custom modified venture. As part of the PUC licensing, the bus had to be weighed…it came in at just under 3900 lbs. The custom engine moves this bus very effectively, even with a load of 12 passengers. The bus was driven from San Diego to the port of Long Beach at 65mph and it had some pedal left (top speed here in Maui is only 55mph).

Here is a non-inclusive list of high-end parts:

Front Safari windows – stainless steel (from Wolfgang International) Rear Safari window – stainless steel (from Wolfgang International)

14 Side Pop-Out windows with Large Spoon Latches – chrome (from California Import Parts) Chrome front door window frames (chrome-plated at California Plating in San Diego, CA) Polished deluxe trim on beltline and bumpers with black rubber inserts (from Aircooled Accessories in the UK) Front disc brakes (conversion from VW bay window bus so parts are readily available) Gene Berg performance shifter with reverse lock-out (added feature as a theft-deterrent) LED headlights (from Truck-Lite) LED custom tail lights (fabricated to fit inside OEM housings)

LED third-brake lights/directional signals mounted in rear window Vintage Speed exhaust system Blaze-Cut automatic fire suppression system Viper alarm with custom sensors and remote notification Ultima Red Top battery (to run the bus) and Ultima Yellow Top battery (to run the electronics) RGBW LED light strips running the entire length of the interior of the bus on both sides (can be changed to ANY color)

Custom wood flooring and wood interior

American-style bumpers (powdercoated RAL9016 traffic white) 15" VW original crows foot rims (powdercoated RAL9016 traffic white) Good-Year Custom Super Cushion 2-3/4" whitewalls (205/75R15) German-quality VW stainless steel hubcaps Custom 17" wood steering wheel

Restored speedometer Custom 2-tone brown interior with white piping and hidden pleats Chrome door pull handles Chrome interior grab handle Chrome drink holder in front cab

Stainless steel drink holders in passenger area All new rubber and glass throughout entire vehicle

LCD screen with reverse back-up camera in license plate

Back up siren (120db)

Reverse back-up lights from 1960’s VW beetle mounted to rear bumper

Custom gauges (oil temp, cylinder head temp, and oil pressure) Gerson metal (green metal) used for all rust repairs

The list literally goes on and on and on...in all honesty, the only thing missing is a VW bus clock in the front cab…I have not found one in good enough condition to warrant installing it in this masterpiece.

Every single part on this vehicle is brand new, from engine lid hinges to wiring harness to complete brake system to mirrors and everything in between. The engine, transmission, and gear reduction boxes were all completely disassembled and rebuilt using only new parts. If you are a serious buyer, please contact me and I can send you a link to over 600 pictures of the build. I also welcome any inspection and test drive.

Considering the costs of donor VW busses, the high-end parts installed on this masterpiece, and the two years of custom shop time during the restoration process, it would cost over $250,000 to recreate this vehicle. Of course, that price does not include the time and money invested in getting the limousine licensing from the State of Hawaii, as well as other company assets.

The listing price for the company and the vehicle is $220,000. I will also consider selling just the vehicle separate from the company if you are not interested in owning a fully-licensed limousine company in Maui.

To gauge your expenses, if you are interested in having the vehicle shipped, it will cost approximately $1,100 to ship it from Maui to the port of Long Beach, California via Matson Ocean Services.

Interesting album from the same user

Picture credit

Info and picture credit (tons more):

http://www.bosscatlegacy.com/bosscat2/bosscat2.htm

Info:

http://bangshift.com/general-news/videos/insanity-on-ice-unlimited-snowmobiles-of-the-golden-age-of-snowmobile-speed-runs

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=BOKkMyevrUo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=ALAwSvxy9tg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=Suq5NzDjclU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=CR-WCtkwyxg

Some info:

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2016/08/30/part-lagonda-part-mini-part-riva-aquarama-the-towns-hustler-6-in-wood

https://www.aronline.co.uk/the-converters/william-towns/hustler

https://cdn.autocar.co.uk/car-news/anything-goes-throwback-thursday/developing-hustler-kit-car-throwback-thursday-1984

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hustler_(car)

Image credit: http://www.jhwclassics.com/hustler

Built in Brazil using Volkswagen mechanicals, the X-15 and related G-15 use a Plasteel (steel reinforced fiberglass) chassis. They are 2 wheel drive, were offered in many variants and seem indestructible!

Info: http://www.banovsky.com/archive/gurgel-x15

Portuguese magazine article: http://imgur.com/a/DdCGU

History of Gurgel: http://www.autosavant.com/2009/12/29/genius-or-joker-joao-gurgel-and-the-lost-cars-of-brazil

http://jalopnik.com/gurgel-may-be-the-weirdest-car-company-ever-1441920859

Great info, lousy site (google translate)

More variants (sorry about the mobile link): https://m.facebook.com/GurgelX15/mediaset?album=pb.153587594719517.-2207520000.1433835299 ___

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayKdJGVG_QE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUIoo3izAzU

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Image credit:

http://www.gurgelclube.com.br/novosite/index.php/manutencao/originalidade-manual-de-retrovisores-externos

http://www.portaldepiracicaba.com.br/gurgel.htm

http://www.4x4brasil.com.br/forum/jeep-willys/23164-jeep-turbo-na-lama-6.html

https://m.facebook.com/GurgelX15/mediaset?album=pb.153587594719517.-2207520000.1433835299

Fitted with: "a 3.1 V-6 Camaro engine, power steering and disc brakes all around, Jeep front end, Explorer rear end, 700R4 auto trans, winch, high jack, engine driven air compressor, air tools, on board 120 amp welder, 21 gallon gas tank." Spotted in California around 2005.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSPL5qxcq90

Forward control Jeeps: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Forward_Control

Image credit: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/02/23/the-fc-150-van-now-in-color

Info:

https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/collection/cars/item/citroen-2cv-bicephale-cogolin-replica-1952?highlight=WyJjb2dvbGluIl0=

http://daveburnhamcitroen.com/specials.html

French: http://www.netpompiers.fr/index.php?id=89&dossier=0

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Video:

The original:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9fP95P2jHo

Lane Motor Museum's "Cogolin" explained and demonstrated:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS7J982Rf60

Again behind the Lane:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3x08jgzy9g

The French replica in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwNHIe7tUXw

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Picture credit and more pics:

http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/collection/cars/item/citroen-cogolin-1952

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcslbf/8232770125

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcslbf/8232770257

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcslbf/8232769813

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerhicks/6613388543

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerhicks/8586234459

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulkelly/3231153354

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulkelly/3231153354

https://www.flickr.com/photos/raddad/5339261551

https://www.flickr.com/photos/derekgottlieb/2459929005

http://www.pbase.com/dcoleman59/autos_and_parts

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/MadmanOfThePeople/media/100_1977.jpg.html

http://thewandererschuckandkate.blogspot.com/2014/06/unique-and-different-cars-very-different.html

http://paulrobbins.net/lane

http://users.skynet.be/vincent.beyaert/V2004/HIS-Cogolin.htm

http://www.netpompiers.fr/index.php?id=89&dossier=0

Built on principles tried in the 1970's, the Steinwinter is as odd looking today as it must have been then. The idea was to decrease the size and aerodynamic drag of the typical truck. This skatelike vehicle proved unpopular with drivers and suffered from handling problems, testing was stopped after 3000km.

Introduced at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show as the Supercargo 2040, it uses a Mercedes chassis, a 400hp Daimler-Benz engine, independent air suspension, limited slip diferential, anti-lock brakes, and climate control.

The story goes that it was turned into a TV car for the 1988 series "The Highwaymen". However it seems considerably smaller than the TV car. Another rumor says that it survives intact somewhere. Internet Movie Car Database entry: http://imcdb.org/vehicle_206906-Steinwinter-Commercial-Motor-Vehicle.html

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Info:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/09/23/as-for-jettos-truck