RideLust

There is just something cool about a vehicle that can take you to your local mall one minute, then across your cities local waterway the next. This is the Splashtours bus, an amphibious vehicle that has the capability to motor you around via land or sea. Located in the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands the amphi-bus provides up to 43 people a new and exciting way to see the city. Now granted you will have to make some compromises if you choose to go this route. For instance, there is no toilet aboard this bus, nor is it handicap accessible. However if you have a strong bladder and all your limbs are working properly then this is a floating experience that is sure to provide you with a good time.

Source: Splashtours.com

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A 1989 Vanagon Synchro Camper

If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, it was impossible to miss the VW Microbus and the VW Camper on the roads. A predecessor to the modern minivan, VW busses offered owners the ability to haul passengers and cargo in (relative) comfort, and camper owners were fanatically dedicated to vacationing in their vans. Fuel economy was impressive for something that had the aerodynamic profile of a housing complex, but safety was more or less an afterthought. The drive was positioned in the very front of the van, with only a flimsy bumper and thin sheet metal protecting him from things like oncoming cars. Worse, the van’s high center of gravity made them prone to rollover if a driver lost control. I’m probably overstating the obvious here, but they were a handful to drive in any kind of crosswind, and even a momentary lapse in attention could cause you to drift into the next lane, or worse, the guardrail.

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This video is chock full of retro 1970s goodness, from Bud’s bizarrely patterned shirt to the avocado colored bathroom in the Starcruiser RV. It will remind you why we left these things behind, or make you wonder what the hell people were thinking 40 years ago. As for the review, Bud takes us through the 1972 Starcraft Starcruiser RV, perhaps the ugliest thing to ever roll off an assembly line. It looks like a cross between a vintage city bus and a catfish, and if Bud is to be believed it handles about the same. Inside is also filled to the brim with ugly, so be sure to put your taste away before you watch this classic road test.

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For those of you out there who have never been to a real live automotive swap meet let me just say that you’re missing out. Sure the majority of the stuff for sale is just about as old and useless as a 1985 Yugo, but that doesn’t mean that it’s any less fun. You see the real thrill of the swap meet is the hunt. People generally go to them not to find anything in particular, but more or less to just see if they can find that needle in a haystack. Car guys are notorious hoarders. We keep everything from the smallest screw, to the biggest fender in the hopes that one day we may in fact find an application for it. Sometimes in digging through our little stockpiles of stuff we come across a useful item, but most things just lay buried in the cockles of our garages.
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When I look back at some of my old motorcycles as compared to the new steeds of today I have to say that they were pretty archaic. I remember having a 1985 Honda VF1000R, it was a great bike back in the day with its two-piece frame, quick release front wheel and V4 engine design, but by today’s standards the bike is an absolute dinosaur. These days motorcycle companies are trying anything and everything to get people back on the road, but one company in particular has decided to take a rather unorthodox approach.
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I won’t get into the debate on whether or not the Midnight Rider qualifies as a limousine, since it really doesn’t matter. Just take one look at the video and tell me that you’re not thinking the same “rolling brothel” thoughts that I am. Limousine or not, this thing is pure genius on the part of Michael Machado and Pamela Bartholemew, who designed the rig back in 2004. It’s based out of California, where the exchange of money for clothing-optional-recreational-activity is against the law. Nevada, the next state over, does indeed allow it in several counties, so I’d be willing to bet the Midnight Rider spends a fair amount of time over the state line.

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Jim wasn’t sure if he should go with brick or stucco to replace his RV’s aluminum siding.

Source: That Will Buff Out

I have no idea how Autoblog found this before I did, but here’s one RV that is so full of retro kitsch that it’s actually wrapped the dial back into cool again. Up for grabs on eBay is this custom built, one-of-a-kind 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado GT motor home. From the beige exterior to the dark paneled, plaid-clad interior (complete with faux marble panels), this camper is a time capsule of 1970s tacky goodness. Break out your BTO 8-tracks, squeeze yourself into those polyester bell-bottoms and get ready to hit the road in style. Trust me on this, you won’t be sleeping alone very often, especially if your rocking a serious moustache.

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As Dave watched his Inferno trailer burn to the ground, he found himself wishing he’d bought a Wilderness trailer instead. Or perhaps found a way to tow his trailer with a GMC Typhoon.

Source: That Will Buff Out

Own a Jeep and regularly use it for excursions to the middle of nowhere? Tired of sleeping on a cot, or worse yet on the ground? Had your share of waking up with a rattlesnake in your sleeping bag? There’s good news from the Mopar catalog: soon you’ll be able to order a pop up camper, designed for off-road use, at your local Jeep dealer.

There are actually two models to choose from. The price of admission starts at $9,995.00, which buys you the Trail Edition. Don’t think that you’re losing out on functionality, because even the bargain basement model comes with BFG Mud Terrain tires on alloy wheels, 12 inches of ground clearance and a torsion bar / trailing arm suspension designed to work when you’re SERIOUSLY off road. Wear areas are reinforced with diamond plate aluminum, and the interior sports a queen size bed, fold out couch, 110v power and a heavy duty canvas roof.

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