Vehicle Description
1961 Volkswagen Panel Van
The Volkswagen Type 2, known officially (depending on body type) as
the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, or, informally, as the Bus (US)
or Camper (UK), P�o de Forma (Loaf of Bread...Portugal) is a
forward control light commercial vehicle introduced in 1950 by the
German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model. Following -
and initially deriving from - Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1
(Beetle), it was given the factory designation Type 2.
A windowless micro bus from the beginnings of the "Hippie" era, we
have a consignment like no other microbus in our hallowed halls.
This windowless example has a nice restored front interior, and
some custom woodwork in the back inside, and retains its original
paint with an aged look. Brown painted bumpers, a bit of rust,
dents and dings, mere battle scars of a life lived in service to
its owners. A worker bee if you will, or a diamond in the rough,
rarely seen configuration, awaiting your capable hands to create
something special....retro style.
Exterior
Bathed in its faded original paint of factory cream, there is
plenty of wear off of the paint from the passage of time. Slight
surface rust on various areas but no invasive rust on the body
panels. 2 swing out doors allow side access to the interior of this
windowless (save for the rear) van. A large full van, powder coated
roof rack structure basically doubles the carrying capacity of this
bus. This is definitely newer, is in great condition, and sits on a
faded paint, surface rusted roof. Chrome trimmings have been
painted over in brown, and these include both bumpers, and the VW
round front badge. Surface rusted chrome moon caps are on all 4
corners.
Interior
The driver and passenger compartment which has been cordoned off
from the rear interior, appears to have been restored. Gray
textured molded vinyl door panels are now on, and levers have been
painted white. An off-white vinyl bench stretches from door to door
and is very clean with no tears or errors. In front, a resprayed
dash in its original form all white painted metal with central
circular instrument cluster, and near vertical black steering wheel
and column. Front toe kicks are covered with more molded gray vinyl
like the doors, and new ribbed black rubber flooring is now
installed. Above some more of this gray vinyl and central upper
mounted "console" in white hangs from the ceiling. This seems to
provide some airflow into the passenger compartment up front, which
is now separated by a gray panel with a small window in the center.
Noted, some of the gray headliner is falling a bit on the driver's
side. Swinging the dual side doors reveals a cargo area with a wood
fashioned bench seat, and some built in cabinets sans doors,
mounted to the side panel on the driver's side. Panels have been
covered with plywood on the remaining sides, and flooring is trunk
liner painted.
Drivetrain
Opening the rear engine bay, we see a like new 2100cc powerhouse
rebuilt engine. This is topped with (2) 1-barrel carburetors and
has a 4-speed manual Freeway Flyer Transmission now installed. A
4.125 rear axle is on and transfers power seamlessly to the rear
wheels. Like new for this drivetrain with less and 1,000 total
miles since its installation.
Undercarriage
Plenty of surface rust seen on the frame and rockers, and some
spotting of rust on the ribbed floorpans. Only 1 area that has rust
through, and that is the driver's side floorpan. Upfront we note
transverse torsion bars and new disc brakes, and on back a swing
arm setup with drum brakes. The exhaust exit has a small hole in
it.
Drive-Ability
With the new power plant, this van fired right up, and accelerated
and handled the test track with flying colors. The brakes are
excellent, and all was in working condition.
Despite its aged exterior appearance, this van is structurally
sound, and mechanically excellent with the new engine and
transmission. New brakes, and a new front of the interior fully
restored with new painted dash and gray panels, it is a work in
progress, but literally some exterior attention, and you will have
an excellent looking and performing rare example of the VW panel
van. Dude! Pass the dutchie to the left hand side man!...and pick
up that chick we just passed by with her thumb out, it's off to
Haight Ashbury man.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.