VW Brazilian Kombi bus for the Mexico market

[tristessa]

Because this is so different and horrible:

[Busbodger]

Old thread I know but a good read. Still dreaming of driving that Brazilian bay in the USA. When my politically minded friends go on a rant I question that if this is the "Land of the Free" - why can't I just buy whatever vehicle I want to buy from anywhere in the world - like a Brazilian Bay?

Safety regs I'm told. Tell me a motorcycle is safe and would pass a crash test... I don't care if someone rides a motorcycle or rides w/o a helmet. Live and let live. Air pollution - and a baywindow would be dirtier than that smoky hot rod pickup I followed to work today.

Educate people and let them make their own choices.

[bmata1980]

I have a customer that has purchased a Last Edition Kombi from Brazil. It is currently awaiting to be shipped pending the outcome of the titling situation here in the US. The vehicle just needs to be titled here in the US and then it will be exported to New Zealand where it will find its final resting place in a museum. The reason for the title here in the states is for ease of entry into New Zealand.

[Aville]

I know this is reviving an old topic but I thought this was interesting. It looks like it is possible to import T2's into the U.S. that are 1990 or older. Not sure if anyone has looked into it but my interest is definitely peaked. Here is a link to one company in California but I'm sure there are many more. http://www.importavehicle.com/3.aspx
_________________
"I will dream what no one else is dreaming, and will build what no one else is building" DaVinci I believe

'71 tin top
'91 tin top

[tristessa]

Yeah, anything more than 25 years old is importable. All it takes is money...

[HastaAlaska]

Hey guys,

In a few months I will be giving away my Brazilian VW Kombi (1992) and I am looking into ways that it could be imported to the USA. It is still a couple years short of the 25 yr limit.

If anyone has experience of doing this in any way other than knowing a high ranking government official I would really like to hear from you.

One option I am considering is importing it as a "Show and Display" vehicle which would limit my beloved adventure vehicle to an annual limit of 2500 miles for a couple of years but could be registered as a normal vehicle after that.

Any input or comments appreciated

(PS = hope I am not hijacking - nice Brazilian Bus at the top of this thread btw, looks a little different to mine)

_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[BunnyX]

Can anyone tell me if this vehicle is street legal? It's been on the market for a few months so I suspect it is NOT street legal

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5554953473.html

Thanks

[tristessa]

[BunnyX]

Thanks

[lolight70]

Just curious
What gearboxes are these late buses using?
4 speed? 3 ribs?
Never seen one being sold

[tristessa]

My understanding is that they used the 091 six-rib through the end of Mexican-market production (2001? 2003?), and sometime between then and 2006 they switched to using the Type 1 (Beetle) transaxle, even after the Brazilian-market Kombi went water-cooled with the 1.4L TotalFlex engine.

[bakkus]

Hey, another forum member with a SA watercooled Kombi.
I've got one myself, right now sitting in Puerto Escondido, but I'll be driving it up to Mexico City in a week.

Let me know if y'all want photos of details (mine has some stuff missing, tho - wish my interior looked as good as yours).
_________________
'95 Mexican Combi "Maggie" - http://maggiethecombi.com/

[notchboy]

[Skullbag]

Have been looking through classifieds in mexico and finding the newer T2's. Was initially looking for a TDI eurovan, but on reading all the info on importation, i guess that wouldn't work. Although, the T2's if 25 years old, should be able to be imported. I saw one sell on craigslist in the last few weeks in seattle. was listed at $22k. Way cheaper in mexico. And the 80's 90's models are water cooled, AC, heat etc. Seems like it would be awesome. I just can't figure out why no one else is doing it....

[vwwestyman]

I've looked at them on MercadoLibre a few times now and then.

A big part of why I haven't done anything like that is that I don't speak Spanish! ha ha

So going down and getting the thing would be a challenge.

I'm not sure that they have either heat or AC though. However, since the VW 1.8 block was the same all over, one could probably collect the parts to install either/or.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[ciaran19]

Hey man,

Found this very interesting.. I'm actually attempting to export a Mexican Kombi to New Zealand but running into trouble finding an example of a VIN number on these old Kombi's to see if it's going to comply with strict New Zealand vehicle import regulations.

Any of you knowledgable people have an example of what a pre-1990 Puebla (Mexican) Kombi VIN number might look like?

Photo would be awesome if anyones sitting on one right now.

Thanks!
Ciaran

[busdaddy]

[webwalker]

I spent all afternoon looking at Mexican & Brazilian Bay Buses and don't think I see a single thing indicating that there is any heat in any of them. Look at the dash, and where's the heat control? Nothing.
_________________
"Consistent maintenance with quality products is the cheapest warranty you'll ever need."
1977 CE1 Transporter Deluxe, Subaru EJ22, Skills Cooling, Steedle HD 091 w/ GuardT .82 4th
Click to view image

[rsbadura]

and if you look below these cars, there is no heat tube (and holes for that) from the rear to the front:

the 1998 WOB Museum car:

These cars imported to Germany (only a few) require an auxiliary heating system for any registration... beside solving other problems like the untested engine exhausts etc.

regards,
_________________
Rolf-Stephan Badura
1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L to camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
HAZET classic tools