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 all. This recently
restored 1964 Volkswagen Microbus Deluxe is a wonderful way to grab
all that history and keep it for yourself, and its curb appeal is
off-the-charts. Imported from Brazil, this Split-Window was
restored twice, first in South America, where it was fully
restored, and then again in South Carolina, where it was perfected
into a 23-Window show-stopper by some of the best VW experts on the
planet. The results speak for themselves, and although we won't
have the chance to espouse all this VW's virtues in this limited
space, we hope you take a closer look because this is one of the
coolest Transporters on the market.
It's not often you see a classic car restored twice over a couple
of years, but that's exactly what happened here. Born as a
15-Window Deluxe Samba Microbus in Sao Paulo, this Transporter was
refurbished by an individual restorer in 2021. That individual
rebuilt it from the floors up, replacing sheet metal where
necessary while adding subfloor supports and new flooring to
stabilize the Bus. He also built the accompanying trailer. When the
Bus was imported into the States, the next owner wanted to take it
to the next level, so he put it in the professional hands at Reborn
Custom and Classics. Those boys know their way around classic VWs,
Buses in particular, and they took this 1964 and turned it up to
'11' during a comprehensive restoration completed in early 2023.
First, they went over every inch, improving the bodywork and
replacing sheet metal (the front mustache and practically all of
the sheet metal on the front clip is new, and all the windows were
replaced/retrimmed/resealed). They added a "clear story" 8-Window
Samba roof, a ragtop sunroof, and functional cyclops light up top -
transforming this beauty into the most desirable of all VW
Transporters: a 23-Window Samba Splittie. After the bodywork was
set straight, the gaps were evened up, and all new glass and seals
were installed, the builders then coated this beauty with layer
after layer of Sky Blue over Arctic White paint. It's the perfect,
period-correct color combination for a Bus that was born to hog
everyone's attention, and all the work was completed to a very high
standard. Everything's still fresh, with only 1408km logged since
the first restoration was completed in Brazil, and the paint still
looks so new it almost looks wet. Although a professional
cut-and-buff would bring it close, it's not a perfect show
queen.
Nevertheless, it's dialed in as a high-end driver that could easily
bring home some serious trophies. Those American-spec bumpers are
original - restored with new rubber and painted in Arctic White -
and incredibly cool add-ons like the oversized side mirrors, roof
rack, surfboard, and passenger's side step bar are practical pieces
that add to the killer look. All the chrome and brightwork was
refinished and shined up beautifully, including the giant VW emblem
up front, and the bright molding that encircles the body and
accents the front of the roof was punctuated with a blue pinstripe
inside to help split the Kombi's two colors and make the overall
presentation POP. And yes, the trailer goes with the sale.
The interior is where these vehicles shine, with so many people
spending the better part of their lives inside these VWs. With a
spacious cabin right on the heels of a comprehensive restoration,
it offers great colors and spacious accommodations for passengers,
and everything inside is new. Three rows of bench seats can
transport the extended family, and the two-tone upholstery
complements the exterior with highly durable vinyl surfaces that
will last practically forever. Matching side panels and door panels
give it a finished look, and the custom headliner overhead and
tough carpets underneath keep everything cozy and authentic inside.
The front bench offers a commanding view of the road completely
free of obstructions, and the bus-like driving position is
comfortable on long trips, which is what these buses were designed
for. Cronomac gauges look new inside that gorgeous Arctic White
dash, the stock steering wheel was restored to match, and although
that looks like a refinished radio, it's an excellent "dummy
plate." In addition to all the added storage space inside the
trailer (cut from an '80 T2 Bus), there's a nicely upholstered
package shelf/storage area atop the engine bay that's often used as
a bed, a space for 'alternative herbal reflection', or whatever
else floats your boat.
As you might expect, the drivetrain was completely restored,
starting with the original 1493cc Flat-4 (aka 1500) manufactured in
Brazil and then rebuilt during the Kobi's first restoration.
Recently, the engine was professionally cleaned, the carburetor was
rebuilt, everything was tuned-up, the Bus got a new ignition,
starter, distributor, and coil, and the electrical system was
converted to 12 volts and completely reworked by a VW Master
Mechanic here in the States. It's running great even without huge
power (at 51HP, these were never built to be speedsters), shifts
smoothly via a 4-speed manual, and sounds fantastic through its
upgraded burbling dual exhaust system. The underside is in
incredibly good condition, painted to match the top of the Bus and
featuring new components throughout, while the rolling stock rides
atop white steelies wrapped in 195/75/14 Coker whitewalls adorned
with proper VW hubcaps to match the trailer.
Beautifully restored (twice) and ready to show off with great
pride, this 23-Window Splittie beauty is ready to hit the road and
see the world. Call today!
