The California Find
Some vehicles just speak to you. For me, it was a 1965 Volkswagen split screen bus sitting under the California sun, looking tired but full of potential. I had always wanted one. That distinctive face, the forward control driving position, the unmistakable silhouette, it is a piece of design that hits you straight in the nostalgia.
Finding one in decent condition is not easy, but after years of browsing listings and following leads, I finally tracked down the right bus. The bones were solid, the patina was charming, and the paperwork was clean. This was going to be my canvas.
The Sleeper Vision
The idea from the start was not to create a show car. It was to build a sleeper. Something stock looking and subtle from the outside but with the right touches under the skin. I wanted it to retain its charm and originality, but drive better and sit with purpose.
The factory paint was well past its best, so the plan is to repaint it in a subtle two tone with vintage correct colors. Nothing too flashy. Just understated and classic. Think of a bus that looks like it rolled out of the factory and into a custom shop the same day.
Getting the Stance Right
Suspension is everything on these old buses. The factory setup is fine for 50 mph cruises, but I wanted something that looked right and handled modern roads better. So, it will get a lowered beam up front and a reworked rear with drop plates and adjustable spring plates. This will give it that squat, purposeful stance without going too extreme. It still needs to be usable.
To complement the new stance, I am going to fit a set of Porsche wheels from a 911. These will give the bus a more planted look and hint at the performance lurking underneath. They also tie in with the air cooled heritage, keeping it all in the same family.
The Plan Moving Forward
There is a long list of things to sort. Interior refinishing, hidden sound system, improved brakes, and possibly an engine swap for more usable power. The heart of this build will be a custom turbocharged air cooled engine with electronic ignition. This will provide the torque and response the bus never had in stock form while keeping the spirit of the original powertrain alive.
But this is not a rush job. It is a slow burn project. One that will take shape over time.
It is already a joy to look at. I can picture it now, paint done, lowered stance, wide steels or maybe a subtle alloy tucked under the arches. Quiet on the outside, serious underneath. That is the goal.
This 1965 split screen bus from California is going to become something special. A sleeper with soul, a cruiser with class, and a project that is about patience and vision rather than instant results.
And I cannot wait to see it come together. I hope you’ll join me as I detail the build.
