Bus photographed in Forssa PickNick '04.

Mikko's Bus has the usual yet different work-horse history.. The first owner being the Finnish Government owned the bus 1964 - 67 and used it in transporting workforce for the construction of the Saimaa Channel. After that it had been left as-is and it was taken out of traffic, next couple of owners didn't use it nor fix it any way, so after many years spent in abandon VW enthusiast Kari Koskinen bought it. His plan was to restore it with the "government vehicle mindset". During the seven years of his ownership all of the dismantling and welding was done with great care, even though there was very litte of it.

Mikko bought the bus via his friend Simo Wright and finished it with bit different mindset..

The interior was done duplicating the Westfalia interior, not 100%, but using same ideas and partly same materials. The bus is registered for nine persons. Front seat was made in upholstery shop and the "grand mother of Mikko's children" made the uphostery for the rear section.

Mikko is known for his enthusiasm in hi-fi area, so naturally the bus has received, eh.. let's say "loud-enough" sound system. The steering wheel is self-made, Porsche rev-counter has been fitted to the place of the original speedometer, and bicycle's speedometer is attached to the steering column. Tricky, huh?

Starting point.

Bus photographed after sand blasting and with the IRS setup welded in place.

The rear suspension was modified to IRS one using '68 Bay Window suspension parts and 1303S Beetle transmission. Front end received an adjustable front axle and the suspension was lowered.

The engine is VW Type I, having 1776cc displacement, 90.5 piston/cylinder set, balanced stock crank and flywheel. Cylinder heads are 042s with bigger valves. Petri Kivistö from Hämeenkyrö is resposible of machnining work like matching the intake manifolds to cylinder heads, cleaning the channels etc. Carburetors are 40 Dellortos.

Next on the agenda are disc brakes using Bay Window parts and new set of wheels, Mikko hasn't decided yet which make, but he has been eying the American Racing website..

Bus photographed in Hot Rod & Rock Show with the Gulf Blue square-window Beetle Mikko built years ago.