Description
1966 VW T2 Samba 21 Window Deluxe LHD
Highlights
• Rare 21-window Samba
• Exceptional purple metallic
• Luxurious white & tan interior
• Rebuilt by the legendary Tim Case
• Ex-USA, imported to UK in 2008
The Appeal
There aren’t many vehicles out there with the iconic status of the VW T2 camper. The Samba bus - a 21- window deluxe, promises all kinds of opportunities for those seeking an escape from milieu of modern life. These are - for many - the ultimate expression of free-spirited living.
This example - first delivered to Denver, Colorado, in 1966, then in LA, and finally across the pond in 2008. It’s been in the UK ever since - loaded with rare stainless steel accents and an eye-catching colour scheme.
The History and Paperwork
• Built for the US market in 1966
• Imported to San Antonio, Texas
• Moved to Hawaii
• Following this, was registered in Colorado
• During this time, it was fitted into the current guise, in 2001
• Moved to Los Angeles before import to the UK in 2008
• Mileage currently 27, 880
• Historic vehicle so MOT exempt, although last passed in Feb 2024
• Supplied with a valuation report by the Split Screen Van Club in 2017
• Provided with a VW 'Birth Certificate' from the VW Heritage Museum
• Complete with a full catalogue of invoices and manual including USA restoration
The Interior
• Exceptional cream interior
• Light and airy, with skylight windows and golde roof
• Extensive Dynamat soundproofing
• Impressive sheepskin-style carpets
• SO42 front flip seat
• Rock‘n’roller bed
• Insulated window screens
• Interior LED lighting
• Built-in drinks fridge
• Webasto parking heater
• Hidden rotary immobiliser
• Vintage radio & clock
• Blaupunkt amp with bluetooth
• VDO Oil temp & pressure gauges
Carefully updated and custom fitted, this airy bus feels like a luxurious home-from-home.
Starting from the driver’s seat, is a beautifully protected dash with backlit dials, a retro Blaupunkt amplifier with Bluetooth, and a billiard-ball-adorned handbrake. A wood-trimmed Moto Lita steering wheel sits alongside a Gene Berg locking shifter. With controls for its numerous little extras. All in great condition, with no cracks to the dials and minimum patina.
The seats are white and gold quilted, in excellent order, with no rips or tears, and are fitted with genuine S042 flip seat arms which have been re-chromed. VW fabric-coated adornments are on show to the inside door cards.
Moving through to the sheepskin carpeted cabin, there is plenty of sunlight, purple LED lighting, good levels of interior storage, and the useful addition of a mini-fridge. The bus also features a ¾-size rock‘n’roller bed in excellent condition. It all really comes alive in the dark, that’s simply begging for that Golde roof opened up, drinks cracked open, and passengers bathed in the moonlight.
The Exterior
• Two-tone livery in purple and white with plenty of brightwork
• Paintwork still in great condition with only light signs of use
• Rare stainless steel accents, with stainless steel door tops
• 15” BRM alloys
• Lowered suspension
This head-turning Samba boasts plenty of accents that are guaranteed to catch attention.
The restoration and paintwork is now twenty-two years old, so a little bit of patina has bedded in, but does not detract from the car’s fabulous overall character.
There are a few light chips and scratches, and a pea-sized mark on the driver’s side rear corner - though this hasn’t damaged the paint and should be a very easy job to rectify. The van has plenty of stainless steel adornments, some of which are incredibly rare. Of particular note are the door tops, a lesser seen and highly desirable accent, while the bumpers, 'elephant ear' mirrors and windscreen wipers look polished to a superb standard.
The glasswork is in excellent order throughout, with no chips, cracks or fractures, and the light lenses are in good order, too, wonderfully wrapped in stainless steel rims. The van is sat on a lowered suspension.
The original Golde sliding sunroof, is in excellent order and doesn’t show any signs of water ingress. The underside has been rust-proofed.
The Mechanics
• Rebuilt by legendary engineer, Tim Case
• Engine is now a 1915cc displacement following upgrade and rebuild
• Fitted with a Freeway Flyer gearbox
• This means a comfortable 70mph can be achieved - a rarity for any T2!
• Stainless steel exhaust
• Disc brakes to the front
• Larger Type 3 drum brakes to the rear
• Restoration is fully supported with invoices
• Leisure battery system
• Full mechanical and body check with VW restoration specialist in Sep ‘23
• £2, 250 of mechanical remediation with full receipt in Sep ‘23
• Fuel filter moved outside engine bay
• 2 new rear tyres fitted Feb ‘24Summary
This 21-window Samba provides a much-needed escape, and is perfect for roaming in style. With its upgrades, evocative styling and care-free attitude, this bus is like no other example on the market.
