Question for the experts on the 34B VW Camper bus

[matchbox_n_molars]

The text within Nick's variation guide regarding the 34B VW Camper bus/van speaks of the very rare early knobby silver wheels which were followed by gray and eventually black knobby wheels. The language within Nick's guide states that the knobby gray and black plastic wheel examples are "quite common" while the later fine tread gray and black plastic wheeled examples are "fairly hard to find".
Quite on the contrary what I have found is that knobby black plastic wheel examples of this casting are quite elusive and that fine tread black plastic wheels are very easily found. I just now did another search of current ebay listings and found a considerable multitude of fine tread blacks but not a single knobby tread black.
What is your experience? Are the knobby black wheeled examples more common in other parts of the world?

[Idris]

I've just had a look in the AIM catalogue, and all the models have a trade value of either 8 or 9 , i.e. they're all much of a muchness, although only KGPW, GPW and BPW (two different thicknesses!) are mentioned.
It might well prove to be a geographical thing although I would be surprised if that were true given the fact that we are talking about more than one variation.

[matchbox_n_molars]

Nick has a picture of an example with knobby black wheels on his variation site and I just did a search of the UK ebay site. There I DID find an example with knobby black wheels but with tatty paint and missing a door. I think I"ll pass even at their reasonable price.
Alan Wank, on his site, must have a dozen fine tread black examples listed and NONE with knobby 24 ct tread at all. Clearly the fine tread examples seem far more common.
One day a nice knobby example will fall my way!

[Brad Pittiful]

i agree with Greg...the knobbys are harder to find here in the states

PM sent Greg!

[johnboy]

I haven't looked out for variations of this model in the past but I do have 6 that I've accumulated and they all have grey or black fine tread wheels. I'll have to keep my eyes open in the future.

[durangokid]

Greg,
My experience has been that the fine thread BPW are more common (in the States anyway)-- I do not own a knobby BPW although I don't generally collect RW variations based on wheel tread.
Keep your eye out for one -- you never know when it will show up!
Bill

[Taniwha]

Hi Greg,

No knobbly tread BPW here either - just knobbly and fine tread GPW and FTBPW versions. I don't think I can ever remember coming across a KBPW version.

Cheers,
Gavin

[matchbox_n_molars]

Seek and ye shall find!



This one kind of fell into my lap by chance. Earlier in June I bought a model from a friend who is selling his collection. The model proved to be modified and in negotiating an exchange I asked about whether he had a 34B with 10x24 black plastic wheels. He DID!
I still would humbly suggest that Nick, in his abundant spare time, should do some tweaking of his narrative on the 34B within the variations resource. Quite clearly it is the FINE black plastic wheeled model that is rather easy to come by.

[SMS88]

I agree, knbpw version much harder to find in EU than fbpw, most common is kngpw followed by fbpw - 9/10 here have one or both doors missing. Never seen a spw example yet

[Brad Pittiful]

nice find Greg...congrats! keeping your eyes open is key!