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Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:54 pm

I don't understand the difference between a microbus and kombi, or other buses for that matter. I see that in 1974 there were micro buses, in addition to Kombis. Any insight?

Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:29 pm

From our own Samba Dictionary:

Kombi: Most often confused with a standard Microbus, the Kombi (model 23) is basically a Panel Bus with windows and seats. The Kombi (combination vehicle) has three windows down each side (in addition to the passenger/drivers doors) was painted in solid colors and was not fitted with any interior panels behind the front cabin area or any of the molding or trim found on a Deluxe Microbus. A middle and rear seat were also fitted to the Kombi, but there were no other interior amenities in the cargo area. It could even be ordered with a sunroof! The Kombi was used as the base model for Westfalia in the production of Campers (SO42 and SO44) as well as some Emergency vehicles.

Kombi is also Australian slang for any bus, kinda like Bulli is German slang for any bus. I'm sure there are many others..

The dictionary is quite huge; take a browse! It's in the upper menu, Technical drop down menu. Or just click here, lazybones: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/

Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:22 am

Thanks Traveling Writer- I too, am a lazy bones. Truth be known, I just don't have the time to spend looking up all the stuff I'd like to know.

Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:15 am

Traveling Writer wrote: From our own Samba Dictionary:

Kombi: Most often confused with a standard Microbus, the Kombi (model 23) is basically a Panel Bus with windows and seats. The Kombi (combination vehicle) has three windows down each side (in addition to the passenger/drivers doors) was painted in solid colors and was not fitted with any interior panels behind the front cabin area or any of the molding or trim found on a Deluxe Microbus. A middle and rear seat were also fitted to the Kombi, but there were no other interior amenities in the cargo area. It could even be ordered with a sunroof! The Kombi was used as the base model for Westfalia in the production of Campers (SO42 and SO44) as well as some Emergency vehicles.

Kombi is also Australian slang for any bus, kinda like Bulli is German slang for any bus. I'm sure there are many others..

The dictionary is quite huge; take a browse! It's in the upper menu, Technical drop down menu. Or just click here, lazybones: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/

That is a mistake. Kombies were fitted with something like masonite panels in the rear cargo area. They also could come with a rear OR middle OR no seats at all in the cargo area. Just a little more information from one who used to own a '73 Kombi. Peace!

Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:29 am

It is fairly accurate, the pressboard panels were optional extras, just grey (or later) beige paint inside on the base model. That description covers splitty's too, I'm not sure you could get a bay sunroof Kombi.

Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:54 pm

Traveling Writer wrote:
Kombi is also Australian slang for any bus, kinda like Bulli is German slang for any bus. I'm sure there are many others..

"Traveling in a fried out Kombi... on a hippie trail head full of Zombie"
Men at Work... classic ;)

Zombie is Australian slang for Marijuana.

Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:45 pm

WestyMan1971 wrote: Traveling Writer wrote:
Kombi is also Australian slang for any bus, kinda like Bulli is German slang for any bus. I'm sure there are many others..

"Traveling in a fried out Kombi... on a hippie trail head full of Zombie"
Men at Work... classic ;)

Zombie is Australian slang for Marijuana.

(Assumes best Keanu Reeves voice) Whoa!

All these years. Had no idea what I was singing... :D

Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:28 am

I checked the Samba Dictionary before posting my inquiry in the forum, therefore see no need for the cynical ridicule by way of the lazy bones remark. As I understood, and could be wrong, the Samba dictionary defines what a Kombi is but not specifically a VW Micro Bus, unless the fitting of interior panels behind the front cabin area and molding or trim defines what a microbus is. Traveling Writer wrote: From our own Samba Dictionary:

Or just click here, lazybones: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/

Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:45 am

Well they all come in the same box, it just depends on how much icing you wanted with it.

If you look at microbus in the dictionary it says "see standard", when you do that it says this "The typical Standard or Microbus. A mid-range passenger Bus appointed with a headliner, full interior panels and 3 passenger seats. Available in 7, 8, and 9-seat versions. Two-tone paint came standard."

Seems pretty straightforward to me, all things that didn't come with a Kombi.

Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:11 pm

BryanNAutumn wrote: I checked the Samba Dictionary before posting my inquiry in the forum, therefore see no need for the cynical ridicule by way of the lazy bones remark. As I understood, and could be wrong, the Samba dictionary defines what a Kombi is but not specifically a VW Micro Bus, unless the fitting of interior panels behind the front cabin area and molding or trim defines what a microbus is. Traveling Writer wrote: From our own Samba Dictionary:

Or just click here, lazybones: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/

Hey there Bryan! I meant no offense, and I thought my answer was pretty good. Sorry if it came off otherwise. I don't think of "lazybones" to be anything more than a little jab in the ribs! In fact, I base my whole life around being lazy!

Believe me, if I had wanted to ridicule or be cynical, it'd be easy to tell.

Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:36 pm

Hi David,

I apologize for the misunderstanding, thanks for the Microbus reply.

Cheers,

Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:41 pm

How come a microbus is larger than a minivan?

I am always amazed that what they are called matters so much to some people. There must be well over a dozen appellations for a Bay or a Splitty out there, but typically "T2" or "Transporter" are the ones you need to buy parts so that works for me, otherwise most of the people on the street seem to know what you mean when you say you drive a VW van.

Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:17 pm

Wildthings wrote: ... otherwise most of the people on the street seem to know what you mean when you say you drive a VW van.

I don't know Wildthings. With that new whatchacallit, Routan?, coming out people might misunderstand. Plus, when I tell folks I'm driving my bus, I've had to explain VOLKSWAGEN, not SCHOOL bus. Could just be the neighborhood. To the best of my knowledge, there's only 4 of them around here. If I say Transporter, they think I'm talking Star Trek and off my medication. :shock:

Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:25 pm

Gr8tfulEd wrote: Wildthings wrote: ... otherwise most of the people on the street seem to know what you mean when you say you drive a VW van.

I don't know Wildthings. With that new whatchacallit, Routan?, coming out people might misunderstand. Plus, when I tell folks I'm driving my bus, I've had to explain VOLKSWAGEN, not SCHOOL bus. Could just be the neighborhood. To the best of my knowledge, there's only 4 of them around here. If I say Transporter, they think I'm talking Star Trek and off my medication. :shock:

Well, I eliminate all such confusion by steadfastly refusing to call my bus by anything other than his given name: Cyril. As in, I was under Cyril all afternoon ... I'm takin' Cyril and the wife to the beach ... Cyril doesn't like it when you look at other buses, honey... See, never any confusion!

Tue Apr 28, 2009 6:37 am

Traveling Writer wrote: Gr8tfulEd wrote: Wildthings wrote: ... otherwise most of the people on the street seem to know what you mean when you say you drive a VW van.

I don't know Wildthings. With that new whatchacallit, Routan?, coming out people might misunderstand. Plus, when I tell folks I'm driving my bus, I've had to explain VOLKSWAGEN, not SCHOOL bus. Could just be the neighborhood. To the best of my knowledge, there's only 4 of them around here. If I say Transporter, they think I'm talking Star Trek and off my medication. :shock:

Well, I eliminate all such confusion by steadfastly refusing to call my bus by anything other than his given name: Cyril. As in, I was under Cyril all afternoon ... I'm takin' Cyril and the wife to the beach ... Cyril doesn't like it when you look at other buses, honey... See, never any confusion!

:lol: Yes, I can see how that would eliminate any confusion. :D

Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:53 am

Gr8tfulEd wrote: Plus, when I tell folks I'm driving my bus, I've had to explain VOLKSWAGEN, not SCHOOL bus.

People get pretty confused, because in addition to my Westy I also own this:

http://desertdawnbus.blogspot.com