This first article is about the South Island Clean-up which took place on Saturday, April 17, 2000 in the hills around Sooke. We had great participation from all our club members and also many non-members - Thank you everyone! Read all about it here!

New Internet Mailing List

Born out of the hugely successful bc4x4 e-mail list, the island_4x4 e-mail list is now available at: www.egroups.com/group/island_4x4, or e-mail island_4x4-subscribe@egroups.com.

This e-mail list is provided to you to make it easy to meet other four-wheelers on Vancouver Island, and around BC. The main list at bc4x4@egroups.com has been very successful, boasting almost 300 current members. The island_4x4 list has been created as a supplement to the bc4x4 list.

Once you join, you will start receiving messages from other members of the list. These messages are sent to island_4x4@egroups.com , then are relayed to all the members. When you join, you have an option to receive all the messages as they are sent or as one e-mail, containing the various messages once a day.

This list is mainly for islanders to keep in touch; to arrange or invite other members on trail runs or trips, to buy, sell or trade parts, and lend tools or a helping hand. These are the main subjects that the list will cover, but it is open to any and all 4x4 related subjects. It is also open to anyone outside of the island who wants to keep in touch with what’s happening on The Rock.

It is generally accepted that our sport is much safer when the buddy system is used, and more enjoyable when you can share with others. If you are looking for people to run trails with or to share resources and information, the island_4x4 and bc4x4 lists are very helpful. You will meet all kinds of good people on these lists, and you can easily match yourself with people at your skill level. You will also meet more experienced four wheelers who would be happy to help teach proper driving technique, trail etiquette, and/or help you to learn how to work on your four-wheel drive vehicle.

So what are you waiting for……..sign up for the island_4x4 list at: http://www.egroups.com/group/island_4x4 or e-mail island_4x4-subscribe@egroups.com.

I also suggest you visit www.bc4x4.com and join one or both of the bc4x4 e-lists!

Happy Trails……

jo-jo (island_4x4 admin) jopoole@home.com

Upcoming Events

South Island

Contact Events Co-ordinator
for more information.

May 2000

May 4 - Monthly Branch meeting at Royal Roads Continuing Education facilites, 7:30pm. Take the first left turn after passing through the gate.

May 7 - Monthly Club run, Meet at Western Foods parking lot in Sooke at 9:30am

June 2000

Jun. 1 - Monthly Branch meeting at Royal Roads Continuing Education facilites, 7:30pm. Take the first left turn after passing through the gate.

Jun. 4 - Monthly Club run, Meet at Western Foods parking lot in Sooke at 9:30am

Mid-Island

Contact Steve Duifhuis for more information.

May 2000

Monthly Branch meeting cancelled due to Rock Crawl 2000

Monthly Club Run cancelled due to Rock Crawl 2000

June 2000

Jun. 15 - Monthly Branch meeting at 7:30 pm at the house behind Bow-Mel Chrysler in Duncan

Jun. 18 - Monthly Club Run, call Steve, meet at 9:30 am at the new Tim Hortons in Duncan

Andy James set up two cars for us to crawl over in the parking lot of his work. As you can see the Toyota wagon will hold a lot more weight than a Ford Escort! Rob Bryce, Andy James and Albert Vandervelde took two turns each driving over the wrecks. Andy, of course, had the honor of the first pass, but it took Rob’s bigger Comanche (and a chop saw) to crush the roof of the Toyota enough for us to drive off the back. This was more fun than should be allowed by law!

When Wolfsburg combined the Schwimmerwagen, the beetle, and the Kubelwagen in 1942, they had a very interesting 4X4. It was called the Kommandeur or Type 87, with total production of 669, only 2 being made in 1946. There is a Kommandeur in the Wolfsburg museum today.

It was housed in what we now call a ‘split window’. Only noticable difference on the outside was the exhaust exiting where we would expect to see the rear bumper brackets.

The Kommandeur rode on ‘pizza cutters’ 16 X 525’s with military-style treads. Ground clearance was a big 11.5" obtained by reduction hubs, contributed by the amphibian, with no special gearbox. Powered by 1131cc, the biggest of the time compares to 985cc standard.

In the console area a lever pointed to the roof. In full back position it obtained 4X4. In full forward was front wheel drive, yup front wheel drive, but through gear reduction, it allowed a massive speed of 6 mph in gelande (low range) But...in high range power goes to all 4 wheels, with standard speed 50mph tops, possible.

Noise from the gears was apparently so great that one could hardly hear the little horizontally opposed motor. With machinery engaged it was NOT a highway rig, but with the central shifter in mid position it was rear-wheel only....so highway compatable.

Brakes were cable activated and might stop the bug eventually. A respectable payload of nearly 1000 lbs. with limited-slip diffys from the Kubelwagen made the Kammandeur agile if awkward as a staff car due to metal roof and only 2 doors.

Outside of Wolfsburg it is believed that only one other type 87 survives, rumoured to be in Sweden.

(sources VW, N. Gustoffsen, J. Sloniger, 4 Wheeler Mag, K. Zedel)

Ron Lowe

IRC Parts Bin
(buy and sell database)

If you have parts for sale or parts you need, contact Rob McFadyen, Email: mcclan@telus.net with subject = “IRC Parts Bin”