Vehicle Description
Despite fickle consumers that value flash, performance and fashion,
there will always be a solid market for comfortable people movers.
There's little doubt that, in 2017, crossovers will continue to
outsell traditional family sedans. In the '80s and '90s, sports
utility vehicles became primary mobility for most families. In many
peoples' minds, even folks literally too young to remember, '70s
culture is studded by large American station wagons. And in the
'60s, cars like Volkswagen's utilitarian Type 2 provided a fresh
sense of fun and adventure. Simply put: the idea of hitting the
road with a few of your closest friends is a pastime that'll likely
never fall out of style. And when it involves an exclusive classic
like this awesome 21-window Samba, decades of certainty start to
look like a solid investment!
HISTORY/APPEARANCE
Produced from 1949 to 1967, the first generation of the Volkswagen
bus was originally intended as a basic cargo hauler. After much
success and growing demand, Wolfsburg realized the full potential
of their comfortable people mover and, in 1951, began producing a
model called the Samba. Considered the ultimate transporter by many
Volkswagen enthusiasts, the Samba would soldier on for the next 15
years, creating an automotive icon that, in terms of
collectability, is matched by few other classics.
The beneficiary of a comprehensive restoration that concluded in
2000, this awesome Samba is about as close to "ultimate" as a
classic can get. Judging by appearance, that rebuild began with a
solid body that was completely stripped and worked for countless
hours. Once the bus's panels were super tight and exceptionally
straight, Burgundy and Ivory 2-stage was rubbed to a mirror-like
shine. And today, after 15 years in a private collection and
roughly $4K of professional service work, this Volkswagen rolls as
a world class collectable that claimed top honors at the Palm
Springs Concours d'Elegance.
Known for its aerodynamic shape, the Type 2 incorporates a large,
cast aluminum "VW" emblem above a sweeping V-line fascia that forms
the basis for the car's entire design. At the front of this
'Sunroof Deluxe', a cool 'splittie' windscreen shades
chrome-trimmed headlights, opaque parking lamps, and a painted and
guarded bumper. Behind that bumper, polished trim perfectly
complements simple door handles and old school mirrors. Those
mirrors reflect a 21-window greenhouse, mostly comprised of VW
Sekurit glass, that's capped by a traditional canvas sunroof. And
behind that fabric, a mid-century "VOLKSWAGEN" script brands a
lockable hatch, which shades clean tail lamps, small mud flaps, and
a second painted and guarded bumper.
ENGINE
Like its Beetle brethren, the Transporter is powered by an
air-cooled, rear-mounted 4-cylinder that makes noise and fumes
nearly non-existent for front passengers. Raise the hatch and
you'll find a fully rebuilt boxer motor that clocks in at exactly
1,500 cubic centimeters. While modest, that upgraded powerplant is
perfectly capable of maintaining safe highway speeds as it
frequently achieves almost 30 MPG on stoplight-free, cross-country
treks. At the top of the pint-size block, a vintage air filter
pipes wind in to a 1-barrel Solex carburetor. Below that carb, a
familiar Bosch coil sparks a traditional points distributor that's
equipped with pliable plug wires. And in front of that distributor,
a fresh belt spins a fully rebuilt generator. Aesthetically, the
engine bay is clean, road ready and virtually flawless. The
uniquely gated motor fires instantly and idles well. And, based on
sound and appearance, it'll likely putter along forever!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Since Type 1 Beetle pans proved too weak for the Type 2
Transporter, Volkswagen engineered a new ladder chassis with
unit-body construction. That said; because the Type 2's wheelbase
was the same as the Type 1's, engineers reused the Type 1 reduction
gear, enabling this relatively large vehicle to get good
performance out of a relatively efficient engine. At the front of
the bus, rebuilt drum brakes sit at the edges of a rebuilt
independent suspension. At the back of the bus, a rebuilt
synchromesh 4-speed rides between two more rebuilt drums. And power
meets the pavement through painted steel wheels, which spin 185R14
Continental Vancos around "VW" stamped hubcaps.
INTERIOR
Open this rare people mover's curved doors and you'll find acres of
tasteful gray upholstery. All three rows of seats have been
finished to an excellent state. Above those seats, a neutral
headliner plants a small console behind a simple mirror. At the
sides of that headliner, 2-tone door panels mix bright chrome
handles with straight stainless trim. Below those panels, tough
flooring frames a factory shifter. At the front of the van, a gray
dash hangs a requisite church key below simple VDO telemetry and an
old school VDO clock. In front of the driver, a restored steering
wheel laps an ornate horn button. And behind the passengers, a
carpeted cargo area features polished jail bars.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
A small stack of service records
A Volkswagen Transporter Workshop Manual
A toy van
Spare parts
This stunning Samba is a clean, fully sorted classic that blurs the
lines between value and fun. Desirable and unique, it's a timeless
example of the boisterous style that continues to elevate '60s
specialty cars to the top of the collector car market. If you're
looking for some exclusive metal that doubles as a great
investment, welcome to the 'people's car'!
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a ground-up restoration that was completed in
2000
Award winner at the Palm Springs Concours d'Elegance
1500cc Volkswagen 4-cylinder
4-speed manual transmission
Burgundy and Ivory paint
Gray vinyl and cloth upholstery
14-inch painted steel wheels
Sale includes service records
