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Sun May 11, 2014 3:59 pm

South African Brasilia
As chimneyfish said! ](*,) Not 'Fleetline', it's a misnomer to call the hybrid that. The Bay/Split hybrid is a 'Brasilia'.
Thanks to chimneyfish for the information.
Thanks to fig for the link.
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9014

Sources thesamba & aircooledvwsa.co.za.

Quote: fig
1976 saw VWSA replacing the Fleetline at the bottom of its bus range with the later Brazilian bay/split hybrid. The bay/splits were known simply as "1600" or "Brasilia" (as I have seen it on some aftermarket parts lists). These were assembled and sold in SA from 76-78. They were mechanically a splittie, except they had 72-78 taillights and a bay front grafted on to the splittie rear body. They had reduction gearbox transmissions, but with double-jointed axles, with universal joints instead of CVs.

Note LHD.

Sun May 11, 2014 4:09 pm

Well dang, learn something every day, I always thought this was a 1600 Brasilia:

Sun May 11, 2014 5:21 pm

This is Marty and his '81 Brasilia. Made in Mexico. Carbed 1600 DP.

Sun May 11, 2014 9:12 pm

Tcash wrote: South African Brasilia
As chimneyfish said! ](*,) Not 'Fleetline', it's a misnomer to call the hybrid that. The Bay/Split hybrid is a 'Brasilia'.

Don't you mean South American Brasilia? I was under the impression that the South African Buses were Fleetlines. I had a so-called Brasilia Bus for a while, but didn't know they were called that at the time. I have heard the term since, though.

Oops, just noticed I have to add that bus to the list below... :)

Mon May 12, 2014 6:54 am

South American Brasilia and South African Brasilia is legit except not for a bus, neither split, bay, or combo.
Here is the Samba's dictionary- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/dic/b.php

Now here is more specific info about the Brazilian Brasilia- https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&...DIOPFyqrJk

And the Mexican VW Brasilia like Marty's- https://www.google.com/search?q=vw+brasilia+mexica...-emzNAMNWw

Now for interest here is the South African Brazilia assembled from the Brazilian knock down kits- https://www.google.com/search?q=+african+vw+brasil...XUP80nwMT0

Sorry, no buses

Mon May 12, 2014 2:12 pm

Revisiting Fig's forum article above on the imported to SA for assembly from Brazil, RHD CKD hybrid buses, http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9014 I think we are debating the semantics of a South African colloquialism (phew, I need to go and sit down and rest after using all those big words!). Therefore I think that probably everybody is correct (misue of Fleetline aside).

I would totally roll that blue fastback above, awesome looking car, it seriously resembles a fastback 411 Type 4, but am I right in thinking that unlike the Type 4 they were actually simply built on a Beetle floorpan?

Mon May 12, 2014 3:37 pm

Actually a Ghia pan. It is a nice vehicle design that was introduced to compete with Chevy's Chevette. That particular one is really outstanding and gets the attention it deserves.

Tue May 13, 2014 11:50 am

In South Africa we just call them brazilia's? There aren't too many around from what I have seen. I spotted one in December rusting to bits near cape town.

Tue May 13, 2014 2:40 pm

The Gymkhana Fanatic wrote: In South Africa we just call them brazilia's?
What do you call Brazilia's? We've been talking about both buses and little sedans.

Sun May 18, 2014 2:07 pm

Sun May 18, 2014 7:13 pm

My former Bus. Front emblem pressed into nose sheet metal. Distinct front bumper for Brazilian Buses. Artwork wasn't mine! Front disk brakes. Rear IRS.

Sadly the Bus has now had its nose removed and the new owner is trying to make it into a Split. Will have to address rear corners too. Once I heard the nose had been cut off I didn't want to hear any more!

Sun May 18, 2014 8:05 pm

VWDog wrote: My former Bus. Front emblem pressed into nose sheet metal. Distinct front bumper for Brazilian Buses. Artwork wasn't mine! Front disk brakes. Rear IRS.

Sadly the Bus has now had its nose removed and the new owner is trying to make it into a Split. Will have to address rear corners too. Once I heard the nose had been cut off I didn't want to hear any more!
Was that the one that was driven up from central America a few years ago and is for sale on CL now and then here (with possible title issues) ?

Sun May 18, 2014 8:06 pm

Why do you keep calling it a Brasilia?

Sun May 18, 2014 8:30 pm

busdaddy wrote: VWDog wrote: My former Bus. Front emblem pressed into nose sheet metal. Distinct front bumper for Brazilian Buses. Artwork wasn't mine! Front disk brakes. Rear IRS.

Sadly the Bus has now had its nose removed and the new owner is trying to make it into a Split. Will have to address rear corners too. Once I heard the nose had been cut off I didn't want to hear any more!
Was that the one that was driven up from central America a few years ago and is for sale on CL now and then here (with possible title issues) ?

No busdaddy, different one. I think that one is still for sale. I keep wondering how those title issues could be resolved every time he posts it up. :)

This one was owned by Jakob's out in North Van. I saw it and subsequently bought it from him in 2008. I sold it to a friend in 2011 or so and he sold it on to the guy who is giving it a rhinoplasty. :cry:

Desertbusman wrote: Why do you keep calling it a Brasilia?

I didn't…I called it a Brazilian Bus because it was from Brazil. :D

Thu Aug 28, 2014 7:37 am

I've seen this upclose, more of these available than germans in Asia.

Its wider than a split, the bulkhead behind the drivers seat is 'like a split', but with around 2-3 inches added metal on each side.

Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:31 am

Here's a '73 Split from Brazil on Ebay right now:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Volkswagen-Bus-Type-2...4897.l4275

It is like they couldn't' make up their mind which way to go for a few years--Bay or Split?

Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:25 am

lightice wrote:
Its wider than a split, the bulkhead behind the drivers seat is 'like a split', but with around 2-3 inches added metal on each side.

Really? How would they deal with the roof, widen it too? Seems like a lot of work :shock:

Wed Sep 03, 2014 5:24 am

I would say a split and bay roof are the same width as I have a set of roof racks that have been on both and they fit the exact same.

I spotted this Brazilian split/bay bus at the local Walmart yesterday...

Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:34 am

Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:03 pm

Last time I checked the bus was a "kombi" and anything stemmed off a T3-T1 drivetrain derivative.... was a Basilia.