Highlights
- Very rare 23 window deluxe model
- Barely restored to preserve originality
- Full length canvas sunroof
The Appeal
The 23 window Samba Microbus with a cloth sunroof is the holy grail to many VW enthusiasts around the world. It was the most luxury model sold at the time and now due to its age good solid original buses are very hard to find making this particular vehicle rare.
This particular bus has spent a lot of time tucked up off the road and has had a light resto by the pros and loved and cared for more recently by the current owner who is a massive enthusiast of original Volkswagens that have not been heavily modified.
Not everyone will get the patina style and appreciate the originality still found in a bus like this but those in the know , those in the VW scene would give their left kidney (including me) to own something as rare and as wonderful as this.
The History and Paperwork
- US Spec vehicle sold new in USA hence LHD
- Spent most of its life in the USA
- Was purchased from a serving airman in 1987 and put in a dry barn for 30+ something years.
- The franchise owner of Subway for UK and Australia heard about it in 2014 and purchased it shipping it to the UK for restoration.
- Upon arrival the bus wasn't for him and so it was sold to IRVS Restoration who are one of the country’s best classic VW Restoration shops.
- IRVS Restoration completed a light restoration keeping as much originality as possible and only repairing what was necessary to make it road worthy, thankfully they didn’t paint it and understood the rarity of the vehicle.
- It was then purchased by the current owner.
The bus is Tax Exempt and has a number of invoices, USA registration documents and the UK V5c present. The current owner has also acquired the bus birthday certificate from Germany.
The Interior
- Largely original
- Retrimmed rear bench
- Retrimmed headliner
- Working Deluxe clock
The interior of this microbus is in patina condition much like the rear apart from the headliner and the rear bench with have both been recovered. That said due to the great original condition of the rest of the interior they do not look out of place.
Most of the trims and doorcards are original and the original front seat does have some wear on the driver's side. Even the rubber floor mats are original!
It really is pretty much a timewarp vehicle and the fact that most of the fixtures and fittings are original is just lovely, the current owner informs us that they have spent some time sourcing any missing details that the bus would have had from factory and refitting them.
The Exterior
- Stock height
- Steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and whitewall Cross Ply tyres in great condition
- Westfalia style roof racks
The exterior of the bus has only had necessary repairs where a few areas needed attention and the repairs have been blended very well so as not to ruin the original patina that the bus wears with pride.
The “sealing wax red” paint with chestnut brown top half wears great patina and with the rare nature of this model really adds to its charm.
The Mechanics
- 1200cc 30hp
- Rebuilt engine
- Original running gear
The owner has informed us that it is not the original matching numbers 1200cc engine but another engine from the same year that has been completely rebuilt recently and runs very well still on 6v electrics and starter handle crank.
Summary
- Rare 23 window model
- 95% original
- Light restoration to keep originality
- Solid history with low owners
Notice to bidders
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As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
