Highlights
- Rare 21-window Samba
- Exceptional purple metallic paintwork
- Luxurious custom white and tan interior
- Rebuilt by legendary Volkswagen mechanic Tim Case
- Ex-USA, imported to UK in 2008
- Rare stainless steel trim
- £2,500 spent on recent mechanical work
The Appeal
For air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiasts, the ‘Samba’ is the Holy Grail of Type 2s.
Factory-fitted with additional high-level windows and a sizeable fabric sunroof, these very special Split Screen vans were the most expensive in Volkswagen’s range and as a result, few were built.
This 21-window ‘Deluxe’ Samba from 1966 has been subject to extensive restoration and tasteful modification, making it among the smartest and most usable examples around. It offers all kinds of opportunities for those seeking an escape from the milieu of modern life. These vans are - for many - the ultimate expression of free-spirited living.
This example was delivered new to the United States, where it would spend time in Texas, Colorado and Hawaii, before making its way across the Atlantic to the United Kingdom in 2008. The restoration and modification work was carried out in 2001, prior to import, and in recent years it has continued to receive judicious maintenance.
The History and Paperwork
- Built for the US market in 1966
- Imported to San Antonio, Texas, later moved to Hawaii and registered in Colorado after that
- During its time in Colorado, it was fitted into the current guise in 2001
- Moved to Los Angeles before import to the UK in 2008
- The odometer currently reads 27,880 miles
- Historic vehicle: MOT exempt, although tested for peace of mind and last passed in February 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
- Several invoices detailing mechanical work, amounting to around £2,500 in total (September 2023)
The Condition
- Two-tone livery in purple and white, accented by stainless steel brightwork
- Rare, desirable stainless steel door tops
- 15” BRM alloy wheels
- Lowered suspension
- Bespoke camper interior
- Light and airy, with trademark Samba skylight windows and Golde sliding sunroof
- Extensive Dynamat soundproofing
- Luxurious sheepskin-style deep-pile carpets
- SO42 front flip seat
- Rock‘n’roll bed
- Insulated window screens
- Interior LED lighting
- Built-in drinks fridge
- Webasto parking heater
- Hidden rotary immobiliser
- Vintage radio and clock
- Blaupunkt amplifier with Bluetooth connectivity
- VDO oil temperature and pressure gauges
Any Samba is guaranteed to turn heads at a VW meet, but this one is sure to attract the most attention. Resplendent in its purple and white livery and crouched low on its 15” BRM alloys, it’s a handsome machine to be sure, and the interior is similarly impressive.
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 restoration and paintwork is now over two decades old, so it’s accrued a little patina over time, while continuing to present immensely well. There are a few light chips and scratches, and a pea-sized mark on the nearside side rear corner - though this hasn’t damaged the paint and should be an easy job to rectify.
The glasswork is in lovey order throughout, with no chips, cracks or fractures apparent, and the light lenses are in good order, too, wonderfully wrapped in stainless steel rims.
The original Golde sliding sunroof, is in great order and doesn’t show any signs of water ingress. The underside has been rust-proofed which has greatly aided its preservation.
Carefully updated and custom-fitted, the airy camper interior feels like a luxurious home-from-home.
Starting from the cab, we find a beautifully refinished 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 minimal wear.
The seats are white and gold quilted, in smart 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-style 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’roll bed in perfect working order.
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 Mechanics
- Rebuilt by legendary engineer, Tim Case
- The flat-four engine is now a 1,915 cc displacement following upgrade and rebuild
- Fitted with a Freeway Flyer gearbox which facilitates a comfortable 70mph cruising speed
- Stainless steel exhaust
- Disc brakes to the front
- Larger Type 3 drum brakes to the rear
- The 2001 restoration is fully supported with invoices
- Leisure battery system wired in and in good working order
- Full mechanical and body check with VW restoration specialist in September ‘23
- £2,250 of mechanical remediation with full receipt in September ‘23 which has also rectified an MOT advisory
- Fuel filter moved outside engine bay
- 2 new rear tyres fitted in February ‘24
Tim Case is the man to know when it comes to the rebuilding and customising air-cooled Volkswagens - and what a job he’s done here.
With better-than-ever performance at 1915cc, and a Freeway Flyer gearbox, the van provides more power and speed than any off-the-shelf Type 2 ever did, and, thanks to the extensive Dynamat soundproofing, is far quieter in the cabin, too.
Lowered into a more rebellious, snaking stance, and boasting plenty of rust-proofing, this camper has been meaningfully upgraded and modified to provide just about the best possible spec a Samba could have. We’ve no reports of any leaks, knocks, bangs or smoke, and to our eyes, everything in that engine bay looks spick and span.
Benefitting from significant expenditure in September 2023 and recent new tyres, this Samba is ready to roll.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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