CALIFORNIACLASSIX Original 1967 Volkswagen Westfalia SO42 Walk-Through Camper!

All Original Gem: 1967 Volkswagen Westfalia SO42 Walk-Through Camper!

An automobile icon from the Swingin' Sixties, olkswagen's Kombi (or "Bus") has recently experienced a revival of astonishing proportions. Some of us ex-hippies who fondly remember Woodstock and the Summer of Love can afford to revisit the good old days and get ourselves a genuine T1 Bus, uilt between 1963 and 1967 and easily identified by the split front windshield.

Among the T1 Kombis, wo versions stand out: the 21 and 23-window Samba Busses, nd the genuine Westfalia "SO42" Pop-Top Campers. The best of those, ully restored and in breathtaking condition, re now selling nort of $100,000.00, nd we've found a few of those. What we didn't have before, ecause it's virtually impossible to unearth, s a Westfalia Camper van that has always been pampered like a favorite child and has miraculously escaped the dreaded rust devil, till displaying its factory original paint, nd, est of all -- because it's in such fantastic original condition -- doesn't need a thing! It's the rarest of the rare, he "Blue Mauritius" in stamp-collecting terms!

Built on June 13, 967, hassis number *237135440*, s one of the last, nd the most refined of the T1 Busses, uilt just weeks before the Volkswagen Werke closed down for the traditional factory vacation. Yep, hose were the days! According to various sources, n 1967 Volkswagen delivered a mere 462 Kombis to Franz Knoebel's Westfalia Werke in Wiedenbrueck to be made into campers. The Bus lived a sheltered life, irst in California, hen for a number of years in South Carolina, inally returning home to the Golden State, here it has resided ever since.
This Westy carries most of its factory original paint and interior. Its state of presentation is absolutely marvelous, nd we doubt that you'd be able to find a better original anywhere on this planet or in other galaxies.

Volkswagen's "M plate" -- the equivalent to Porsche's Kardex. Deciphering it gives us valuable insight into this Kombi's factory equipment and confirms its originality as a genuine, orth-American-spec SO42 Westfalia!

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As stated above, his Camper miraculously escaped the dreaded tin worm, nd presents itself absolutely rust free, nside, ut, nd underneath. The "Perl White" paint is for the most part factory original, ating back 48 years. Only a few small areas have been blended in, ome scratches and rock chips touched up. Naturally, here are some -- unavoidable -- dings and creases, nd a few spots where the paint has been polished-through to the factory primer underneath. Still sparkling and shiny, hough, he finish shows just the right amount of patina to realize it's genuine. We firmly believe that it would be a crime to repaint this Bus.

Pilot and co-pilot find a stock cockpit that emphasizes VW's no-nonsense, ess-is-more approach. There's the proverbial 2-spoke "Bus" steering wheel, he cyclops instrument, VW Sapphire IX radio, nd two easy-to-grab sticks -- shifter and e-brake handle -- in the middle of the spacious, ubber-mat covered cockpit floor. All of this is just beautifully preserved. No excuses needed.
Best of all, ou can get up and "walk through" to the "living room!"

Printed, ray-white seat covers are as original and as close to new as possible, ith no rips, tains, pen seams, r other imperfections to report.

There are 6 side windows, of them came with factory crank-operated shutters, nd they are all in tip-top shape, orking like new.

Painted steelies with baby moon hub caps are factory correct as well. Just the wobbly bias ply tires have been exchanged with radial tires in the size 185-14 on all four corners.

Open the two barndoors wide and you'll be greeted by an inviting interior. The pop-up tent section allows you to stand upright, ereby eliminating costly chiropractor bills.
Note the spice rack fitted to the left door and the NOS curtains throughout.

A family of four plus a furry friend or two could easily use this Westfalia camper for camping trips. The wide couch seats two adults with ease, he comfy chair another one, nd a removable stool could serve as additional seating, f needed -- all of this in addition to the two front seats.

The kitchen is equipped with an ice box and a sink to do the dishes after dinner. There's also counter space for a small, lectric or propane-powered stove.
Sorry, o automatic dishwasher here.

Once folded down, he bed is wide enough for two adults and one or two small kids. Lassie has to sleep on the floor. She'll be okay!

The pop-up roof pops up and down easily. It's in primo condition throughout.

Based on Volkswagen's workhorse, he Transporter, here's access to the interior from the rear as well.

The -- almost -- Queen-sized bed can serve as a children's playground.

Folded up, an's best friend has his own room to hang out - or, tore lots of luggage here.

From left to right: spare, irginal trunk floor, lenty of storage space in the side cabinets.

One concession to driveability has been made when this 1.6-Liter Dual Port VW engine was installed. With about 54 horses pushing the house forward, ravel speeds of 65 miles per hour are not out of reach. Try this with a 36-horsepower Motor up a steep hill and you'll appreciate this upgrade to the fullest. This SO42 also comes with the "big nut" transmission.

Even the hidden nooks and crannies are clean. No rust, o worries!

Westfalia's undercarriage is nearly virginal, hich is almost a miracle, iven what many VW Busses look like after almost 50 years of road use. Clearly, his Camper hasn't been exposed to inclement weather much, nd the condition of the floors give ample testimony to this fact.

But, ow does this vintage Kombi drive?
Very well indeed, hank you for asking!

The Vee Dub Bus is like a Beetle, ut with much more space and much better visibility. Once seated, ou'll experience a mellow feeling. Elevated position behind the flat steering wheel makes you feel like you're the captain of a road-going ocean vessel.

The Camper runs, rives, hifts, nd breaks with aplomb, ith no ill behavior of any kind to report. Even more amazing are the reactions of bystanders, otorists and pedestrians alike. Children point, omen wave, nd you see the faces of middle-aged folks light up when they see this relic from their past. Everybody loves this Westfalia bus!

Returning home, e perfectly understand why these T1 Busses have gained so much popularity. They are simple, ractical, urable, nd, ost importantly, imeless. The majority of these VWs were driven into the ground, ut away wet, recious few surviving the ravages of time unharmed. Finding a genuine, estfalia-built Campmobile today is almost as unlikely as winning the lottery. True, ou can always restore a bus, ut you can never bring back originality. Consequently, urvivor cars like this one are skyrocketing in value and will continue to do so!

Opportunity knocks, re you ready to answer?

You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine automobile in Ventura, y appointment, uring the auction, r have someone inspect it for you. Please, erform your due diligence before you bid.
Please, ote that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time. Feel free to contact us via e-mail at bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at (805) 653-5551.

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