Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present a rare and very well
preserved with only some 300 miles since being completed fully
frame up restored example of this 1963 Volkswagen 23 Window Deluxe
Samba Microbus with skylight windows and cloth sunroof! The Type 2
was sold in many combinations. As a panel van without windows, a
double-door panel with cargo doors on both sides, with a raised
roof, with removable rear seats, as a flatbed pickup, crew cab
pickup, Westfalia converted camper van (the ones with the pop-up
roof and a stove), and the Samba. Also knows as the Sunroof Deluxe,
this was the luxury model. It had more windows, designed to improve
sightseeing for passengers in the back. It also had a massive
fabric sunroof that opened up nearly the entire roof.When it comes
to the Type 2, the number of windows is a huge part of it's
attraction and status. Like having a numbers matching big block in
a muscle car, more is better. The basic Kombi was an 11-window. The
Deluxe got 15 panels. But the Samba ruled the roost. 23 windows
with a split windshield and eight skylight panels in the roof. In
1964, the rear door was widened and two rear panes went away with
bus reduced to 21 windows. So the rarest and most desirable for
collectors bus was, and will always be, the 23-window Samba, built
only from 1951 to 1963.This particular bus is a highly desirable
recent restoration with only some 300 miles since being finished in
'Mouse Gray over White' of a collectible Type 24 Bus (Deluxe 9
passenger Microbus). Most Deluxe Microbuses were ordered as Samba
models (a $160 option) that included a sliding canvas sunroof
flanked by 4 skylight windows on each side of the roof (that's a 23
window bus through model 1963 and a 21 window bus starting in model
year 1964). The deluxe Microbus was Volkswagens top-of-the-line
transporter.This is a superbly completed and very striking example
of the iconic Type 24 Bus (Deluxe 9 passenger Microbus) which were
originally marketed for touring the Alps with small skylight
windows embedded into the roof for added viewing capabilities and
were manufactured with the highest trim level available which
included trim strips along the beltline and a dash clock! Most
Deluxe Microbuses were ordered as Samba models (a $160 option) that
included a sliding canvas 'Golde' sunroof flanked by the 4 skylight
windows on each side of the roof.The body on this particular
example is razor straight and all the door and panel fits are as
original and as they should be and the bus is fitted with highly
desirable 'original German' Safari front and rear windows amp; side
pop-out windows. The bus was finished in a very professional and a
gorgeous two-tone color combination of 'Mouse Gray over White'
paint and the bus has an absolutely beautiful all new 'Gray amp;
Black' carpeted interior and a carpeted rear deck!The engine was
completely rebuilt with an updated 1600 single carb engine and 4
speed manual transmission with a mild 3" drop for a striking stance
and some of the recently replaced parts include new front disc
brakes, tie rods amp; king pins, new clutch amp; pressure plate,
new axles, new tires, shocks, custom JVC stereo amp; speakers, all
new window seals amp; rubbers amp; new fuel tank!This bus must be
driven to be fully appreciated - fully restored both cosmetically
amp; mechanically, the engine is extremely strong and responsive
with excellent oil pressure and no oil leaks and which sounds
absolutely magnificent, the original factory 4 speed transmission
shifts smoothly through all the gears, the van brakes great and the
engine temperature always remains cool.We at West Coast Classics
have over the years sold many virtually identical examples of these
original M code 21 amp; 23 window model buses and it is now
patently obvious that these are the Volkswagen's that collectors
and enthusiasts around the world are seeking with increasing fervor
and you will certainly look long and hard to find a finer fully
restored and always rust free original example of this iconic 23
Window Samba Bus available anywhere else!