Grumman Kubvan

[KarlH]

I saw one of these for sale a while ago, and it just looks kinda nifty:

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cur...van-tiny-fwd-vw-diesel-powered-and-very-rare/

 

[user 423]

A diesel VW engine. Interesting.

 

[bullfrog]

Considering the first VW diesel Rabbits were shipped without AC as the factory felt it would be too much of a load for longevity! The 1986 Honda Civic High Milage 4 speed/1300cc version gasoline hatchback got 44MPG in town and 55MPG on the highway if I remember mine correctly and cost $6,000 new. Manufacturers sure haven’t done much in the way of improvements other than higher prices! Take out the seats and use a hatchback tent and you would really have a much better camper or as we called it a Hondobago!

 

[eDJ_]

When I worked in the Central Ohio area for a corporation there we had a rig much like that.   It was made by International,  had great acceleration, but unfortunately right hand steering.  It was used mainly by the maintenance
crew as a errand running & materials hauler.   But from time to time I'd go on the road with it to blow the carbon out of it. 

Although it was fun to drive,  I can't imagine it for much more than a "weekender" for camping, hunting, or fishing.
Room is the issue with a rig that size for anyone wanting to go Nomad in one.

I even considered making a partition between the floor and ceiling in a somewhat "U" shape with the opening facing the drivers compartment.  The one I drove had a garage door (roll up) rear door.  Still it would be about like living in a sardine can.  Yes you could do it but the question is for how long ? 

With this said,  if you are a 5'4" girl weighing about 100 to 120 lbs and are only using it to eat, sleep, and travel in,  I'm sure that would be do-able.   For her it could be built out about like any other rig and equipped similarly.

 

[nature lover]

I almost forgot about my first rig way back when the kids were small I bought a used post office “ Jeep vin“ so small that my safari was a step up. What reminded me was when you said right hand drive because that’s what this one was. I bolted a bench seat on the floor in the back for the kids it wasn’t very comfortable but it wasn’t our first drive vehicle anyhow. I did nothing to build it out just used it to haul tents cots firewood etc. Being that the body was aluminum and attached to a Jeep it wasn’t bad. So long ago that I can’t even remember why I got rid of it.

 

[KarlH]

It would definitely be cramped, especially in height, but I like eDJ_'s idea of using it for camping/fishing. Maybe a self-propelled ice house? You could add an inch or two of polyurethane foam on the sides, maybe half as much on the top and bottom, and one of those water-based parking heaters that keeps your engine warm. You'd probably want an insulated partition and a small duct to bring hot air into the bay.

The one person I knew who had a VW diesel Rabbit from that era loved it even though he wasn't a fan of diesels or Eurpoean cars in general. It sounded like he had about 80k on it. The engine is (I think) the same as the VW Pathfinder 50 boat diesel.

 

[eDJ_]

Those VW Rabbit Diesel engines used the block of the gasoline engine with a special aluminum cylinder head.  Early models were 1.5 L and later were 1.6 L.  If I remember right those later heads could be swapped to the earlier engines.  (a little more power while maintaining mpg)  I'm not sure if the VW Rabbit block was fitted with different pistons for the Diesel or not.  I think they cranked out around 50 hp.

I drove a couple of them and they did take some getting used to.  For me, shifting gears was a different experience
than that of a gasoline engine.   One of our Manufactures Rep's bought one and he over inflated the tires a few pounds and claimed he got 60 mpg or better with his.

 

[KarlH]

I can't find anything about the pistons, but the 1.6 definitely had a different crankshaft given that the stroke was longer.

That Rabbit owner said that it was the only car he'd owned that consistently met the manufacturer's mileage claims in real city driving, about 40 mpg, and I've read some claims of 60 mpg on the highway. Stingy little buggers

 

[bullfrog]

Much different heavier 4 ring pistons if I remember correctly, you pretty much everything was cast iron and heavier built than the gasoline engine to withstand the high compression ratio.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

That's cool! I would definitely use it as a grocery getter. Would be way too small to live in for sure. Is there even 6 feet behind the seats for one to lay down?

 

[bullfrog]

I keep wondering why they stopped making the 1986 Honda Civic with the 1300cc gasoline engine/with a carburetor/4 speed manual. It would cruse the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 65mph no problem and got 44 mpg in town and 54 on the highway loaded. The little hatchback had a ton of interior room. I thought cars were suppose to get better not bigger?