Small car inside double decker - how?

[UFO pilot]

This is several years old and probably has made the rounds here. I wasn't around then so here goes!

How would you get this car into and out of the bus? The multiple copies of the article out there mention nothing about the engineering behind this.

Yes I want to shamelessly rip this guys build!

[Placeholder Bus Name]

Well first off, that's an original Fiat 500. It's TINY. No,.. no, much smaller than that. And it weighs almost nothing.

There aren't any modern cars light or small enough to do that with. Which leaves you with a choice of a vintage car like this.

But the idea rocks!

[UFO pilot]

Originally Posted by Placeholder Bus Name

Well first off, that's an original Fiat 500. It's TINY. No,.. no, much smaller than that. And it weighs almost nothing.

There aren't any modern cars light or small enough to do that with. Which leaves you with a choice of a vintage car like this.

But the idea rocks!

The UFO needs a Mothership


The good: 1200#


The bad: 72"Hx71"Wx13'L

[Placeholder Bus Name]

That's a cool buggy! It's only 100 lbs more that the Fiat. But you're right, it's a lot bigger in size. Will that size even fit between the walls?

[UFO pilot]

This is the backup idea if the mid bus garage doesn't work out......and probably more realistic. There needs to be a wall separating the garage from living space to keep cooking/human smells away from the buggy of course, I am not a complete idiot, just partialy for thinking of this project.

[UFO pilot]

Originally Posted by Placeholder Bus Name

That's a cool buggy! It's only 100 lbs more that the Fiat. But you're right, it's a lot bigger in size. Will that size even fit between the walls?

Thanks! It *should* fit, the buggy is about as wide as the classic Beetle its based on.

And just about a foot taller.

[JDSquared]

Looks like it's on something like a wheelchair lift, doesn't it? I thought maybe it was just a pull out ramp but I can't see how it would work.

So it might come out first, then down like a lift gate.

Cool buggy. You don't want to just tow it?

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by UFO pilot

How would you get this car into and out of the bus? The multiple copies of the article out there mention nothing about the engineering behind this.

Tank of helium and some balloons would do the trick with that little car.

[Native]

It is parked right next to the kitchen, so maybe a spatula?


Your buggy should fit, but it would be just about wall-to-wall. As for the height, fitting is a matter of the height at the lights comparred with the ceiling slope. I am 73" and can not walk right next to the walls in my high-roof Tomas (78" in the center). I do not know the shape of a Wayne interior, so you would have to make detailed measurements to be sure. As for getting it in the middle of the bus, that would be a bit of work. Perhaps a drop-down wall that is also the loading ramp and some sort of slides for the wheels? Just thinking off the top right now. I am sure you have many ideas youself.

[UFO pilot]

Originally Posted by JDSquared

Looks like it's on something like a wheelchair lift, doesn't it? I thought maybe it was just a pull out ramp but I can't see how it would work.

So it might come out first, then down like a lift gate.

Maybe a lift gate turned sideways and replacing part of the floor? Maybe only possible on a low floor bus without a driveline?

Cool buggy. You don't want to just tow it?

Thanks for the complement. However, I don't want practical advice, I want to hear how a silly idea, bordering on stupid, can be done.

[UFO pilot]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Tank of helium and some balloons would do the trick with that little car.

Umm.........not practical so looks.....promising.



Will look into it!

[Sehnsucht]

I think the car sits on an offset turntable in which the pivot is closer to the front or rear, and it allows the floor and car to rotate 90 degrees, decline, and simply drive off/drive on. Now the engineering to make that work is quite involved but it's definitely exotic in concept.

Alternatively, the Knight Rider approach is actually quite simple and feasible but if you actually intend to do it like Knight Rider (driving into a moving truck) takes a small amount of skill to know when to throttle back and then dismount in neutral so as not to grind the transmission.

Good luck and post pics of what you end up doing!

[banman]

Originally Posted by UFO pilot

Thanks for the complement. However, I don't want practical advice, I want to hear how a silly idea, bordering on stupid, can be done.

HYDRAULICS.

That said: How 'bout a SmartCar? (only ~106" long and just under 2000lbs)

Ramp or lift out the back would be much easier.

But, you just need a lift that can hold a sliding tray that can hold 2000lbs...

[MNbusboy]

Originally Posted by banman

HYDRAULICS.

That said: How 'bout a SmartCar? (only ~106" long and just under 2000lbs)

Ramp or lift out the back would be much easier.

But, you just need a lift that can hold a sliding tray that can hold 2000lbs...

Because it would be 800lbs more... And a SmartCar instead of an awesome dune buggy!!

[john61ct]

Small enough a few strong guys could just lift it in and out

[Native]

Yeah, but then you'd have to travel with those stinky ol' strong men.

[JackE]

That's a big dude! My question is how does he even fit in that tiny car once he figures out how to get it out of the bus???

[coolcraftnet18]

Originally Posted by Placeholder Bus Name

Well
There aren't any modern cars light or small enough to do that with. Which leaves you with a choice of a vintage car like this.

But the idea rocks!

Hmmm, what about a new Fiat 500?

[rebapuck]

Trade the buggy for two Vespas.

[EastCoastCB]

Miata.