b"Although VW Buses and Vanagons are not very fast, notHowever,MarcoconcedestheVanagons4-cylinder particularlyfuntodrive,somemodelshandlelikeaboxer engine design didn't hold up well, and was under-go-cart, and they really arent all that reliable, its one ofpoweredlikethebusesthatcamebeforeit.VWno the most popular cult-car vehicles on earth - and Marcolonger makes these engines.But that problem has been knows why.solved; these days Buslab is in the business of swapping outoldfornewandcombiningtwoverydifferent Our customers consider their van as an irreplaceablegenerations.Subaru makes a boxer engine that is the part of their family, and thats the way we treat them.same style and a perfect it for the Vanagon engine bay. Marco continues, Many of our customers vans haveThese days were replacing many Vanagon engines with been passed down for generations; they want to holdthesenewSubaruengines,givingthemawholelotIt probably goes without saying, but this is a one-of-a-kind onto all the decades of memories that these vans retain,more power and decades newer technology.Theyrereception deskand they want to make new ones with their own kids. much more fun to drive and our customers love it! Marco admits these sentimental connections make his job easier when a customers van needs major work, but he also feels the heartache when he has to tell some-one their van is ready to retire for good. Despite not being sold in the US since 1991 demand for these vans continues to rise, even with those who have never owned one, for a number of reasons.For one thing, the vehicles still roll to the beat of a different drummer, and that quirkiness has value.Plus, its still a means of transportation for theIf youre into Glampers Buslab ixes them too!alternative-minded; offeringMarco with Bus the LabDillion Beach, CAlaid back roadside traveling adventures with all the room a carefree coupleIts been a 19+ year journey for Marco, Steve and the could want. And in aBuslab team.Theyve gone from zero to sixty by doing world of instanttheirownthingchannelingthespiritofthevehicles 12-hour news cycles,they service and embracing the affection they and their it's nice to knowcustomers have for their vans and buses.Along the some things justway weve learned the important things that make a never change. Itsrewarding blend of life and business; explore and learn, also nice to have aexpand your horizons, seek only the performance you drivable throwbackneed, respect life andrelationships over proits, and to simpler timesknowwhenyouarehappyproclaimsMarcowithaThe freedom to go where you want, bring what you need, andeven if we cantgreat deal of pride in his voice, Our team has grown tomake lasting memories - Joshua Tree National Landmark, CAtravel back to the Summerive top-tier mechanics, three parts specialists, a fantas-of Love.Combine all this with atic ofice manager, an expert service writer, and six of backlog of needed repairs and Buslab keeps booming!thehardestworkingshopdogsinAmericaBus,Learn More aboutLady Bug, Chewie, Phoebe, Flora, & Loretta. there isthe Buslab Team and VWs engineers knew what they were doing when theyno better team than ours, and no better customers thanVan Life Culture at.built these vehicles, and German parts are notoriouslywe have. We are happy at what we do, we are Buslab,https://youtu.be/rrX0iudt5hIdurable.ButIdontthinkanyoneexpectedtheseand we know buses and vans. vehicles to be on the road for 50+ years. Thats why our(Left to Right)parts supply chain is so important to us - our businessThe Buslab Team:relies on having the best OEM parts available when weJonathan - Parts Departmentneed then says Dan Watson,Parts Manager,in ourNick - Technicianexperience, its notifsomething will break, butwhen .Dan - Parts ManagerAdrian - Service ManagerMarco - OwnerTyler - TechnicianMikey - TechnicianEddo - TechnicianGraham - Parts DepartmentSissy - Ofice Manager(Lower Row)Bus the Lab - Lead Shop DogElring-Klinger is a great example of just such a compa- Loretta - Shop Dogny. With a 140 year heritage designing and supplyingLady Bug - Shop Doggaskets and seals to VW, Elring understands the impor- (Not Pictured)tance of quality in parts such as the head gasket set theyShane - Technicianmake for VW Buses(SSF Part # 025 198 012 B) Gen - CustodianPhoebe, Flora & Chewie - Shop Dogs"