Archive for the ‘Base Vehicles’ Category

Porsche + VW: The Ultimate Van Conversion?

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

VW vans and minibuses have always been one of the most popular base vehicles for campervan conversions - offering great styling and car-like practicality.

The only problem is that they have always been a bit on the slow side… especially the older (pre T4) models. However, there may be a solution out there - at least for a lucky few.

Back in the 1980s, Porsche needed a support vehicle for their barn-storming Group B 959 Paris-Dakar Rally racer. The VW Transporter of the time had all the space and practicality necessary - but had no chance of keeping up!

Porsche decided that it could shoehorn its legendary 3.2 litre, flat-six boxer engine into a VW engine bay to provide the ultimate rally support vehicle - and did just that. The resulting vehicle was named the B32 and a total of eleven are thought to have been made.

You can see more details on Autoblog here or you can buy your own Porsche B32 here.

That’s right - there is currently a B32 for sale in Switzerland for the bargain price of CHF 105,000 (about £52,000 or $103,000USD).

The B32s come complete with Porsche wheels, upgraded suspension and 230hp from the air-cooled flat six - which was taken straight from the then air-cooled 911 Carrera.

I’m just off to sell my house…

Fiat Ducato Chosen As Best Base Vehicle

Friday, June 29th, 2007

The Fiat Ducato chassis van has always been a popular choice of base vehicle for motorhome converters and leads the market in both the UK and mainland Europe.

This dominance looks likely to continue as Fiat’s new Ducato chassis has just been voted the 2007 Best Base Vehicle winner by UK magazine Which Motorcaravan.

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