The Volkswagen Bus has always been an icon in the automotive world.
Known for its timeless design and air-cooled motor, it has garnered a dedicated following of enthusiasts who appreciate its unique charm. Despite its lack of power and slow acceleration, its distinct style has captured the hearts of many.
However, for hot-rodder Mike Rowan, a regular Volkswagen Bus was not enough. He set out to turn it into something truly absurd – a full-on drag machine.
After finding a forgotten 1963 Volkswagen Panel Bus in a field, Rowan bought it for a mere $275 and began his transformation.
Instead of restoring the Bus to its original state, Rowan decided to go wild. In just six weeks he was able to transform the humble bus into a truly one-of-a-kind dragster.
He added a mid-mounted big-block 468 cubic-inch V8 engine and a 150-shot of nitrous, generating some 586 horsepower – that’s around 11 times more power than the 53hp it rolled out of the factory with.
To handle the bump in power, Rowan swapped in a Lincoln Continental differential and massive drag tires.
With all that thrust, the Bus can now run the quarter-mile in an impressive 12.2 seconds. Not too shabby considering it’s shaped like a tissue box.
In a video detailing the build with 1320Video, Rowan explains the process of transforming the Volkswagen Bus into a full-fledged dragster, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail that went into the build.
He proudly shows off the absurd creation.
