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Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:17 pm

Are there plans available to build a jurgens type conversion? (sorry, I do not know what you call a bus with a full camper built onto the back, so if jurgens is wrong, please correct me)
In my search for a bay window Westy, I have seen a few extremly rusty baywindow busses that looked like they would need severe (costly) rust repair. I thought it may be cheaper to build a whole new section on the back. Are there plans available? I know there are bug/camper plans out there. Is there a set for bays?

Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:11 pm

Make a custom camper interior :) ...look through the gallery there is some pretty sick ones.

Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:23 pm

handsomepete wrote: Are there plans available to build a jurgens type conversion? (sorry, I do not know what you call a bus with a full camper built onto the back, so if jurgens is wrong, please correct me)
In my search for a bay window Westy, I have seen a few extremly rusty baywindow busses that looked like they would need severe (costly) rust repair. I thought it may be cheaper to build a whole new section on the back. Are there plans available? I know there are bug/camper plans out there. Is there a set for bays?

are you talking about a camper like in my avatar but a bay? there was one recently in the classifieds from Utah? for about 1100 a month or 2 ago. dont know if its still listed.

Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:26 pm

oh my bad i didnt know here wanted to put like a camper shell on the back of his bus...good luck though as it looks pretty cool from what tubdubs avatar shows..

Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:16 am

yea, I mean one like in your avitar, but a bay. What are they called anyway?
I just thought building a box would be easier, and cheaper than replacing stock body panels.
So any clue as to plans????

Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:05 am

Karmann(like Karmann ghia) has made conversions like this, for years:

I don't know much about them, the most popular model was the Karmann Gypsy.
If you google it you will get a bunch of info.
As far as converting a regular bay I've never seen it done, it is not just a bay with a pick-up camper grafted on, they are built special.

Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:30 am

dig the cruising speed of 50mph.

that's with a 2.0 too!

"pretty steady" if i do say so myself. :lol:

Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:12 am

Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:11 am

So does anyone know of any Karmann or Jurgens plans out there?

Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:11 pm

I have been looking on the internet for some plans to build a simple "rounded box" (I guess an early Karmann type?) and have not been sucessful.
I did find this which is interesting
http://www.oldcars.co.jp/vw/sold/sold18/saf.html

Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:46 pm

that thing is awesome. it's got a shower and a crapper in it...something our petty westfalias are lacking. i want one :D

Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:39 pm

handsomepete wrote: So does anyone know of any Karmann or Jurgens plans out there?
No they are a little more involved then screwing in camping equiptment and hacking a pop-top on.
I think you might be able to still find plans for one of these:

Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:09 am

I own a Jurgens Autovilla but one of the first ones without the extension over the cab. I like my style better. It doesnt look so unbalanced like the one in the article. They were built here in South Africa. The factory that built them has closed down, and the stupids threw away all documentation!
Do a search for autovilla on this forum.
Looking at mine i think someone with good wood working skills will be able to do it themselves. the skin is normal caravan aluminium strerched over a wooden frame and insulated with polistyrene. Inside it is mostly plywood cabinets.

Jurgens bought bay panelvans, cut off the back and grafted the caravan part on. Their trailer caravans also looked a lot like the one put on the kombi so they had all the parts already. Just note that the under side was strengthened significantly with added beams. I will get you a picture if you want.

Cheers

Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:15 am

YES, any pictures would be great!

Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:19 am

You've got to love the name auto-villa

Do you have pictures of yours with the tire on the roof of the cab?
Also you mentioned added braces underneath... picture?

Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:46 am

Dont have an underside picture or one with the spare on the roof. Will take some this weekend.

Here is some in the meantime.

This is inside looking to the rear. The table folds down to form a double bed. Its got a 2 plate gas stove and gas oven on the right as well as a washing bowl. It is wired for 220v mains and has outside and inside lighting.

Just behind the driver is the toilet and washing room although I removed mine and use it for extra storage. What is nice here as opposed to a westy is that you can stand upright easily when inside.

Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:49 am

you'r using the wet cell for storage?
No indoor shower or shitter?

Thought that was the whole gimmick, i can stand up just fine in my riviera...

Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:30 pm

Hi took some pictures during the weekend of my 74 autovilla:

Spare tyre on cab:

Strenthened underside with belly pans:

Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:59 am

The one mounted on a bug chassis was a kit or TKey in the 70's,i have the VW mag that has the write-up/pics,pretty slick. Wa one on flea-bay last yr for sale.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:05 am

Damn, those are some serious strengthening beams under there!