Experimental VW Bus's

Bugz · « **on:** August 22, 2004, 11:29:39 PM »

Back in the late 80's I remember driving through Ringgold several times and seeing several Volkswagen bus's parked in a fenced in lot behind some buildings. They all had the same custom paint scheme that said something about being a TVA Experimental vehicle. Does anyone have any information on that fleet of vehicles and what the experimental part could have been. I seem to recall that it had something to do with being an Electric vehicle but I might be thinking that because it had TVA on the paint scheme. Any info anyone? :?:

Russ · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2004, 11:38:52 PM »

They were electric buses. The only time I've seen one was at The Bug Barn in Joppa, AL.

From the Energy Citations Database:
In March 1978, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) selected the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as the host utility to perform field testing and demonstration of electric vehicles.^Five Volkswagen vans (Kombi) and five 8-passenger buses were purchased from Volkswagen of Wolfsburg, Germany.^This owner`s manual provides all the information required to become a proficient electric vehicle operator.

Apparently there were only 10 made. That would sure make any still in existence quite rare. I hope Alan kept his!

Zen · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2004, 12:50:14 AM »

They were from a fleet of electric vehicles TVA built . . . probably in '78 or '79. I guy I used to work with bought 2 of them to get the transaxles to put in his rail buggies. Because they had been powered by electric motors, they were practically new trannys . . . they had, according to him, been set in either 3rd or 4th gear and the shifter wasn't even hooked up. When I looked at his it had been completely gutted . . . it was pretty straight an solid, but it was basically just a rolling shell. Only the brown/burnt orange paint and TVA logos gave it away as a former electric bus. If I remember correctly, it was either a 78 or 79.

Alan Charles who owned the "Bug Barn" over in Joppa, AL also bought one. I think his was complete except for the batteries. I don't know what ever became of it . . . I've heard that Alan had all of the remaining VWs in his junk yard crushed a couple of months ago.

In addition to the buses there were either 1 or 2 Electric Rabbits in the bunch when they were all sitting in down town Ringgold. I wasn't "into" VWs back in those days, but everytime I went through Ringgold I thought about how cool it would be to have an electric VW Bus . . .

Zen · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2004, 01:02:45 AM »

:oops: I started typing my post . . . had to leave . . . came back and finished it . . . then read Russ's post AFTER I posted mine. So, I guess my memory isn't as bad as I thought. They must have been 1978 buses. If only 10 were built, the guy in Ringgold must have bought all of them from TVA, cause it sure seems like there were at least 10 of them there. I know 2 of them were stripped for parts for rail buggies and at least one of those was crushed. The other one was still there the last time looked for it, but it's been at least 3 years. It was sitting in the back yard of a house on Hwy. 41 between Ringgold and Tunnel Hill. If you are going south out of Ringgold, it'll be on your right about a half mile or so south of where 41 crosses I-75. This is the one that was gutted when I looked at it.

Bugz · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2004, 08:50:37 AM »

Thanks guys, I had begun to think I had hallucinated the whole lot of buses since it had been so long and everyone I mentioned it to thought I was making it up. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

vwherb · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2004, 09:25:05 AM »

I had the opportunity to get a ride in one of the brown busses at the TVA test track that was located off of Amnicola Hwy below the dam. My partner at the time had a fishing buddy who worked there and we stopped in one day. I ended up with a ride and my partner got the fishing stuff he wanted. My memory of the bus is not as clear as it used to be but I remember the whole floor area being covered with batteries. I also remember the bus moving along pretty well and it was naturally quiet. They must have had 8 or 10 busses but I don't remember any of the cars. All ov them were brown with stripes and TVA on the side.

Anthony · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2004, 11:49:19 AM »

Alan sold his on eBay a couple of years ago. I don't know who bought it. I was mighty tempted, though. Zen's right about the transaxle, and the load floor was basically covered in car batteries, about 16, if memory serves. I think that's why I didn't buy it. Even at less than $1000 as-is, it would have taken another $700 to get it moving!

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