Vehicle Description
Is there any vehicle with as many stories to tell as the VW
Microbus? Camper, transporter, pickup truck, house on wheels, tour
guide, whatever it is, the VW bus has done it. This absolutely
dialed-in, low-mileage 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 Deluxe Bus is just a
wonderful way to grab all of that history and keep it for yourself
- wrapped in a familiar yet surprisingly stylish 13-Window
body.
The former owners of this Bus have obviously lavished a lot of time
and attention preserving and caring for this VW through the years,
and the results are pretty darn impressive. It's definitely not
low-key with its Lotus White paint scheme and curtain-covered
windows, but the mostly survivor-grade paint isn't the only thing
that this VW is about. Instead, it's about details and here there
are many. First and foremost, you'll note the split windshield up
front that instantly makes this Bus more valuable. Splitties are
the most sough-after, not only because they're the 1st generation
Microbus, but also because they look the best and are significantly
lighter than the loaves of bread that were to follow from 1968 on.
Second, count the windows - as a rule of thumb, the more there are,
the more valuable the Bus is, and this rare beauty has 13 of them.
Also note the clean, unadorned lines on the body that are
accentuated by straight, original bodywork - not hippie art or
silly graphics - and the smooth, shiny paintwork that shows
incredibly well on this icon. Most of the paint is still original,
although the front end and bumpers have been touched-up through the
years to cover up knicks acquired on the road, and even though it's
not a perfect trailer queen today, any owner would be proud to show
this beauty off. Components like the painted white bumpers and a
big chrome VW emblem in the center of the front end are trademarks
that VW faithful can recognize from a mile away and all those
windows make it as bright and airy inside as you'd expect. The
swooping, bright trim that starts at the nose and wraps around the
top half of the body is in good shape, showing off a little bit of
patina that only adds a little extra character to this Bus. And
speaking of character, take a look at all those stickers on the
back windows - those weren't just purchased on eBay, this Bus has
seen the world!
With a spacious cabin that's been impeccably cared for through the
years, the interior offers great colors and spacious accommodations
for several passengers, and the classic style is always impressive.
The split-bench seat up front sets the tone, and there are two more
matching benches waaaay in the back, all of which are in great
shape with excellent springs inside. The seats are covered in an
uber-durable vinyl upholstery that actually looks like cloth, and
the soft colors on the seats and matching two-tone door panels
complement the exterior perfectly. All the side panels were covered
in two-tone vinyl to continue the color theme inside and give the
cabin a very finished look, and the matching headliner overhead and
tough vinyl floor coverings underneath keep everything
well-insulated and authentic inside. Ornate privacy curtains and
beautifully stitched pillows were purposely selected to match the
interior and add a touch of home inside, making the cabin an
incredibly special place in which to spend some time. The front
seats offer a commanding view of the road completely free of
obstructions, and the bus-like driving position is actually very
comfortable for long trips, which is really what these buses were
designed to do. The dash is mostly stock, with the factory
speedometer still in place ahead of the driver, the fuel gauge just
to the left of it, and the original clock all the way down on the
other side under the grab handle. That upright steering wheel is
likely the original and feels great in the hands of the driver, and
a tall shifter juts out from the floorboard and manages the 4-speed
manual transmission below. Like most VWs from the era, options are
very limited, but thankfully tune are covered via a Pioneer
AM/FM/CD/AUX/BT head unit that was added to augment the original
Sapphire stereo in the dash. In addition to the rear bench seats,
there's a large and nicely upholstered package shelf/storage area
atop the engine bay in back that is often used as a bed, a space
for 'alternative herbal reflection', or whatever else floats your
boat. It's been finished off with durable carpets for a cleaner,
more comfortable look and feel than the vinyl that's on the floors,
and a vintage cooler was sourced with matching colors for a cool
look.
The engine is a stronger version of the Beetle's venerable 1.6L
flat-four. Displacing 1641cc (basically the 1600cc but with
'slip-in' 87mm pistons/cylinders), it's big enough to provide some
added punch without sacrificing reliability and with a reported
rebuild just 7K miles ago, it breathes easy, fires on demand, and
pulls strong, which means more power and reliability. A recent
carburetor helps with power production and the engine bay is as
neatly presented as the rest of the bus. A custom exhaust system
serpentines under the block like a work of art and extracts every
bit of horsepower from the little boxer engine and it has a great
note from the glasspack-style muffler that's instantly familiar and
will bring a smile to your face. The underside is in incredibly
good condition and with a 4-speed manual transmission, it is a lot
of fun to drive. Steelies adorned with Baby Moon hubcaps are
wrapped with thick 195/75/14 rubber for a smooth ride and a very
cool finishing touch.
If you're a fan of VW buses, this 1st generation Type 2 is a great
one to have. Beautifully presented, it's a 13-window beauty that's
ready to hit the road and see the world. Call today!