The recent renaissance of “The Great American Road Trip” naturally has more people curious about RVs and campervans. There are also more opportunities to rent them, which offers convenience without commitment.
Travelers who appreciate vintage rides can opt for a converted VW bus available at Florida Oldscool Campers. The Pinellas Park-based business provides sanitized and outfitted vehicles originally built in the 1970s. The fleet is candy-colorful, and the buses – affectionately named Autumn, Jasmine and Krazy Karl – come with a surprising list of amenities.
Amenities vary van to van. Autumn, an orange 1977 Westfalia Deluxe, has a double bed that converts into a seat, a two-burner gas stove, a sink with a 7-gallon water tank, storage with cooking supplies; cups, plates and flatware. Its top with canvas sides pops to reveal a second double bed.
Gus, Florida Oldscool’s flagship bus, doubles as a photo booth for wedding and party rentals, providing a fun-filled double whammy of nostalgia and memory-making.
“I think it’s the best way to travel hands down, but it’s not for everyone,” owner Dixie Phillips stipulated, adding that VWs are not the easiest, speediest mode of travel.
That said, driving a vintage bus forces you to slow down and enjoy the view through vented bay windows — an experience that Phillips describes as looking through a moving picture window.
“You sit high on top of the axle, with a big steering wheel, which definitely gives you the feel of driving a bus, and with the vent windows bringing in the wonderful sea breeze, you can’t help but feel adventurous.”
For more information on Florida Oldscool Campers, visit floridavwrentals.com.
