Spotted on the Streets: Volkswagen Type 2 1st Generation MicroBus with the 'Rat Look'

 

I spotted this classic, vintage Volkswagen Type 2 'Microbus'  aka Kombi aka Transporter recently and it caught my eye. The 'Bus' is iconic as it is and here, many try to keep it in pristine condition or with a proper funky psychedelic, flower-power 1960s or 1970s vibe to it. This one was unique.

 It was unique because it sported the 'Rat Look' mod which we hardly see over here in Malaysia. The rat-look takes after the rusty car or worn out look. It has that flat worn out paint look or even rust on the surface of the car. Sometimes, no, make that most of the time the people who mod their cars to look like this will artificially age the look of the car by scraping off the paint or adding matte paint on the car. Some even let the metal bits sit out in the sun and rain for a few months so that the finish becomes all worn and rusty. But underneath, the car is usually mechanically healthy. Unlike the old Toyota or Proton Saga you see on the road driven by Malaysian contractors who use these cars till they drop. 

It is rare in Malaysia and yet we see a fine example of such a look in this VW Microbus. It is gorgeous looking. Matte flat paint with the worn out bits, different coloured & designed steel rims front and rear, unique exhaust configuration and that lowered stance make this a Microbus to admire. Different from the norm obviously.