Vehicle Description
Volkswagen followed the smashing success of the Type 1 Beetle with
a basic and practical commercial vehicle that cleverly utilized
much of the Beetle's mechanical make up. Pragmatically named "Type
2 Transporter", enthusiasts have christened it with myriad
nicknames through the years Samba, Kombi, Microbus, Bus, and one of
our personal favorites, "Rugbr�d" - Danish for Rye Bread - have all
been used to describe VW's ubiquitous Type 2. Like the Beetle
before it, the Transporter was brilliant in its simplicity and
versatility. Offered in a wide array of configurations, it could be
had as a simple panel van, a multi-passenger bus, a single cab
utility pickup, a double-cab pickup, and a recreational camper. The
earliest versions were powered by a 24 horsepower, 1,131 cc
air-cooled flat four shared with the Beetle. Unsurprisingly, the
anemic 1,131 cc engine was enlarged multiple times over the course
of production to keep up with customer demand for more power. By
1966, when our featured example was built, the engine had grown to
1,493 cc and power had more than doubled to 54 bhp. Your license is
safe behind the wheel of a Transporter, but the plucky little
engine produced just enough grunt to keep moving at highway speeds
and make for a delightfully entertaining drive. As early as 1951,
VW contracted with Westfalia-Werke of Germany to convert
Transporters into recreational camper vans. The signature "pop-top"
was a clever design that increased interior space and allowed users
to stand up inside the van. The pop-top became the hallmark of
Westfalia for decades to come, particularly on the hugely popular
T2 vans of the 1970s. Westfalia offered numerous fittings to outfit
a camper van for everyone from the casual weekender to the serious
cross-country traveler. Hippie culture in the 1960s and 1970s
popularized these quirky little vehicles, and today's enthusiasts
covet the VW "Westy" for its incredible practicality, period charm
and its status as a cultural icon. We are very pleased to offer
this truly delightful and amazingly original 1966 Volkswagen Type 2
T1 with the Westfalia SO 42 camper package. From the final year of
split window T1 production before the "bay window" T2 was
introduced, it benefits from all of VW's continuous refinements
over the course of production. This fabulous Westy comes to us from
a long-term owner who purchased it from the original owner over 20
years ago. Originally sold via Fred Howe Motors, Inc of Brookfield,
Wisconsin, this bus lived a charmed life from day one. The first
owners, Mr. and Mrs. Gutowsky of Glendale, WI, used the camper
regularly but took incredibly fastidious care of it. It was
reportedly stored on planks in a dirt-floor garage when not in use,
and was never used in the harsh Wisconsin winters. As a result, it
has survived in staggeringly original condition, having never been
rotted or rusty. When the most recent owner acquired it 20 years
ago, he continued to enjoy it carefully. The only modification made
was the addition of Velvet Green paintwork below the feature line,
a correct VW color in a factory correct pattern that highlights the
delightful lines of the T1. The paintwork is beautifully executed
and the original body panels are remarkably straight. Chrome is
limited to the hubcaps and some bits of trim, which all appears in
very good condition. Doors and panels fit to factory specs which
are consistent and return that solid feel of a properly aligned and
unmolested shell. This bus was very well equipped from new, with a
great number of Westfalia options. The SO 42 Camper Car package
included screened, venetian blind windows, the aforementioned
pop-top central section to the roof, curtains, sink, refrigerator,
and fold out tables and configurable seating for dining or
sleeping. The layout and design are very clever, making use of
virtually every square inch of space, and when the van gets too
tight, and when space gets tight, an original canvas tent can be
attached outside. All interior fittings on this example are in
remarkably original condition, even the curtains, pop up and tent
canvases and front seat upholstery remain in fantastic, beautifully
preserved order. Other options and accessories include a period
original compass, original Westfalia roof rack, transistor radio,
EMPI step plates, rear mud flaps, a windscreen washer, Eberspasher
heater (reported by the previous owner to work well!), and original
seat belts. Mechanically, this VW remains in very fine condition,
having been exceptionally well maintained from day one. Original
service inspection stickers can still be found under the engine
cover, the original service book includes dealer stamps, and the
most recent owner had the original engine (# H00792993) rebuilt,
using it sparingly since. This is surely one of the most authentic
and cherished split window Westalias available with the highly
desirable SO 42 Camper Car package. The sale includes original
documentation, owner's books and instruction manuals all within the
selling dealer's pouch. This is a delightful collector's piece in
fabulous condition that can be enjoyed by the whole family.