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Tiny House Bus with Stained Glass


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It’s been a while since I’ve posted on van dwelling and this tiny house bus hits the spot just right with its wood accents and beautiful stained glass features.

It was obviously highly customized by its owner and used heavily for traveling as a lifestyle. According to this forum post, it was built back in 1995.

It’s a 1975 bus with a 1979 2.0L engine in it. Pretty impressive how such a small engine can handle all of that weight, although in the post you’ll read that he did have some occasional issues.

The disadvantage of this is that it’s much heavier than the fiberglass camper tops that you normally see on RVs. The advantage is that it’s so elegantly done that it has a house-truck look and feel about it that can be appealing.

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VW Bus Turned Tiny House w/ Stained Glass Windows

Custom Built Tiny House Bus

Photo Credit thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=489454

Side view of Custom Built Tiny House Bus

Photo Credit thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=489454

You’ll find stained glass throughout the entire camper.

Doors with Stained Glass to Tiny House Bus

Photo Credit thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=489454

The custom made wooden doors really give it that tiny house look and feel, don’t you think? To me it’s like a micro house-truck.

Interior Kitchenette of Tiny VW House Bus

Photo Credit thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=489454

Everything is definitely beautifully done in my opinion.

Interior with Stained Glass of Tiny House Bus

Photo Credit thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=489454

Plenty of storage and lighting when you look up.

Interior of Tiny House Bus Camper with Custom Made Topper

Photo Credit thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=489454

View from the Rear of Tiny House Bus

Photo Credit thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=489454

For more information on this bus, I encourage you to visit TheSamba.com forum topic on it.

Below are some common questions you might have that the builder answered on the second page of the forum. Might answer some of the stuff that’s on your mind right now about the bus…

answers to some of your questions: 

i did weigh it once on a dump scale, although i don’t remember the amount ,it was around the max capacity weight listed in the manual. most of the wood was milled thin where i could. the top structure was strong enough to stand on but would have collapsed easily if there would have been an impact.. 

i could cruise at 65 no ptoblem once i got there but a head wind would drop me down to 55, then it was driving with my eye on the gauges to see how long i could push it, often taking a break, making some tea and chilling out for a while before heading on. 

never had bothered to check mpg .i knew it was not ever going to be great,so it was one less thing to ever worry about . ignorance is bliss on that one.. 

now this is funny but true, i did draw crowds when ever i parked somewhere. once a friend said we should be spare changin these folks. then a Idea . to do it it a more passive way,i put a donation box on the side with a little sign. it got stuffed with cash all the time! mostly $1 bills but often larger notes as well. 

these are the only digital pics i’ve got , taken before its journey up to idaho to be with it’s new caretaker. i have old photos at my folks that i could scan another time. 

thanks for the appreciation 
James

James’ bus was actually featured in one of my favorite books Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter by Lloyd Kahn on page 159. If you enjoyed this, you’ll also probably like the book Rolling Homes by Jane Lidz.

 

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 12 comments… add one }
  • helena
    August 13, 2012, 2:37 am

    love it!! this is soooo cool…

    • Alex
      August 19, 2014, 2:59 pm

      Isn’t it just awesome? 😀

  • sesameB
    August 20, 2012, 2:25 pm

    Nice. But I prefer my tiny house with a loft!

    • Alex
      August 19, 2014, 2:59 pm

      Me too. But this is so cool 🙂

  • Cahow
    March 31, 2013, 4:28 pm

    My Goodness! Dear Owner of This Treasure: when you are ready to retire it, please donate it to a museum or gallery. What an amazing living example of Art! Andrew Jackson Downing would be very proud of both your design and your artistry. Thank you for proving that BEAUTY & ART can live in tiny spaces!!!!!

    • Alex
      August 19, 2014, 3:00 pm

      I agree! Thanks Cahow 🙂

  • Kathy
    August 19, 2014, 5:12 pm

    What BEAUTIFUL woodwork!

  • Kyri Comyn
    August 3, 2017, 1:55 pm

    What a beautiful little van!

  • Dominick Bundy
    August 3, 2017, 10:30 pm

    I find this really appealing. I want one..

  • Gabriella
    August 3, 2017, 11:14 pm

    Is a Pearl among the Pearls of Pure Art

  • Adina Hirschmann
    August 4, 2017, 2:42 am

    The stained glass pattern on the doors might give the impression it’s a tiny temple on wheels, especially combined with the above exterior detailing and roof line. However, for myself, I would prefer the engine in the front and a few more HPs. Just thinking of all the weight of the roof and all the mechanicals and the reputation those vans had when new for being underpowered and noisy when on the road. Now, all that beautiful detailing and construction on a late-model well-equipped V8 Chevy or Ford van would be spectacular!

  • Maria
    August 4, 2017, 9:09 am

    I love it. Wish I had one. He should of started a business building these. I know they would have sold. I wish someone would see this and start turning VW vans into this.

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