Vehicle Description
Is there any vehicle with as many stories to tell as the VW
Microbus? The VW bus has done the camper, transporter, pickup
truck, house on wheels, tour guide, whatever it is. This dialed-in
1974 Volkswagen Type 2 15-Window Transporter is a wonderful way to
grab all that history and keep it for yourself - wrapped in a
familiar yet incredibly stylish 15-Window body.
The former owners of this Bus have lavished a lot of time and
attention preserving, restoring, and caring for this VW throughout
the years, and the results are pretty impressive. It's not low-key
with its Lotus White-over-Chrome Yellow paint scheme,
curtain-covered windows, and teakwood ladders and roof racks, but
the good-looking, driver-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 all the windows - 15 in total -
that instantly make this Bus more valuable, not to mention
incredibly good-looking. Splitties (split front windshield) are the
most sought-after and most valuable VWs as well, and even though
the Germans ditched the design after 1967, DeLuxe models like this
1974 Bus (not available in Europe) kept the highly-desirable look
up front, making this first-year Type 2 one of the best examples to
own. Not only do they mimic the look of the 1st generation Microbus
(without all the headaches of 1960s build quality), but they look
the best and are significantly lighter than the loaves of bread
that came after. So, as a rule of thumb, count the windows - the
more there are, the more valuable the Bus is, and this rare beauty
has 15 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 driver-quality
paintwork that shows incredibly well on this icon. The paint was
applied many years ago, and it does have a very light patina
acquired in the subsequent years, and even though it's not a
perfect trailer queen today, any owner would be proud to show this
beauty off. We may be underselling it because it still has a lovely
shine, great depth, and a very nice, uniform presentation. That
gorgeous red pinstripe that separates the two colors is the perfect
line of demarcation between the competing shades. 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 slight haze in some spots that only adds a
little extra character to this Bus.
With a spacious cabin that's been impeccably cared for through the
years, the interior offers great two-tone colors and spacious
accommodations for several passengers, and the classic style is
always impressive. The White-and-Gray vinyl 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 resembles cloth. 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 keep the color theme
inside and give the cabin a finished look. The taut white headliner
overhead and tough indoor/outdoor carpeting covering the floors
underneath keep everything well-insulated and authentic inside.
Ornate privacy curtains were expertly stitched and purposely
selected to match the interior and add a touch of home, making the
cabin an exceptional place 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 very comfortable
for long trips, which is what these buses were designed to do. The
dash is mostly stock, with the factory speedometer ahead of the
driver, the fuel gauge just to the left, and the grab handle down
on the other side. That upright original steering wheel was fully
restored 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. In addition to the rear bench seats, there's a
large and nicely upholstered package shelf/storage area atop the
engine bay in the back that is often used as a bed, a space for
'alternative herbal reflection', or whatever else floats your
boat.
The engine powering this Splittie is a relatively high-performance
version of the Beetle's venerable flat-four. Displacing 1600cc,
it's big enough to provide some added punch without sacrificing
reliability. With signs of maintenance throughout, it breathes
easily, fires on demand, and pulls strong, which means more power
and reliability. A winding exhaust system extracts every bit of
horsepower from the little boxer engine, and it has a great note
that's instantly familiar and will bring a smile to your face. The
underside is relatively stable, although we can see a few patch
panels and minor rust. The torsion bar front end keeps the Bus
tracking true, strong shocks help set the stance, and the 4-speed
manual transmission means it's a lot of fun to drive. Vintage steel
wheels adorned with white hubcaps look sporty and are wrapped with
5.60-15 rubber with plenty of tread.
If you're a fan of VW buses, this 15-Window Type 2 is great. Call
today!
