Around 1959, Volkswagen sold its bus (now known as a “splittie”) with a camping configuration by Westfalia designated the SO-23. It wasn’t the first VW camper in the U.S. (that was known as the “camping box,”) and it was quickly replaced by more boxy camping layouts.

The SO-23 has become the darling of auto shows. People take their SO-23 campers to shows and set them up with retro picnic gear — old Coke coolers, etc.

Here’s a link to a picture of an SO-23:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=105286

I am thinking about making a little side business of repopping the SO-23 for installation in later buses, including Vanagons. I am also thinking about making them as stand-alone novelties, which could be installed in family rooms like restaurant booths — with the option of serving as a guest bed, as well.

I don’t think there’s a great market for this. I’d like to think that I could make and sell five to ten complete units a year, as a sort of side business.

The price for the package, which would vary from client to client, would need to be set by “what the market will bear,” and I presently have no idea what that is.

But perhaps someone on knots has done something similar — similar in what way, I don’t know, but similar — and recalls the price they charged?

Rp