Palm Springs Concours Winning Kombi 21 Window Bus 4 Speed Factory Sunroof

SUMMARY

Despite fickle consumers that value flash, performance and fashion, there will always be a solid market for comfortable people movers. There's little doubt that, in 2017, crossovers will continue to outsell traditional family sedans. In the '80s and '90s, sports utility vehicles became primary mobility for most families. In many peoples' minds, even folks literally too young to remember, '70s culture is studded by large American station wagons. And in the '60s, cars like Volkswagen's utilitarian Type 2 provided a fresh sense of fun and adventure. Simply put: the idea of hitting the road with a few of your closest friends is a pastime that'll likely never fall out of style. And when it involves an exclusive classic like this awesome 21-window Samba, decades of certainty start to look like a solid investment!

HISTORY/APPEARANCE

Produced from 1949 to 1967, the first generation of the Volkswagen bus was originally intended as a basic cargo hauler. After much success and growing demand, Wolfsburg realized the full potential of their comfortable people mover and, in 1951, began producing a model called the Samba. Considered the ultimate transporter by many Volkswagen enthusiasts, the Samba would soldier on for the next 15 years, creating an automotive icon that, in terms of collectability, is matched by few other classics.

The beneficiary of a comprehensive restoration that concluded in 2000, this awesome Samba is about as close to "ultimate" as a classic can get. Judging by appearance, that rebuild began with a solid body that was completely stripped and worked for countless hours. Once the bus's panels were super tight and exceptionally straight, Burgundy and Ivory 2-stage was rubbed to a mirror-like shine. And today, after 15 years in a private collection and roughly $4K of professional service work, this Volkswagen rolls as a world class collectable that claimed top honors at the Palm Springs Concours d'Elegance.

Known for its aerodynamic shape, the Type 2 incorporates a large, cast aluminum "VW" emblem above a sweeping V-line fascia that forms the basis for the car's entire design. At the front of this 'Sunroof Deluxe', a cool 'splittie' windscreen shades chrome-trimmed headlights, opaque parking lamps, and a painted and guarded bumper. Behind that bumper, polished trim perfectly complements simple door handles and old school mirrors. Those mirrors reflect a 21-window greenhouse, mostly comprised of VW Sekurit glass, that's capped by a traditional canvas sunroof. And behind that fabric, a mid-century "VOLKSWAGEN" script brands a lockable hatch, which shades clean tail lamps, small mud flaps, and a second painted and guarded bumper.

ENGINE

Like its Beetle brethren, the Transporter is powered by an air-cooled, rear-mounted 4-cylinder that makes noise and fumes nearly non-existent for front passengers. Raise the hatch and you'll find a fully rebuilt boxer motor that clocks in at exactly 1,500 cubic centimeters. While modest, that upgraded powerplant is perfectly capable of maintaining safe highway speeds as it frequently achieves almost 30 MPG on stoplight-free, cross-country treks. At the top of the pint-size block, a vintage air filter pipes wind in to a 1-barrel Solex carburetor. Below that carb, a familiar Bosch coil sparks a traditional points distributor that's equipped with pliable plug wires. And in front of that distributor, a fresh belt spins a fully rebuilt generator. Aesthetically, the engine bay is clean, road ready and virtually flawless. The uniquely gated motor fires instantly and idles well. And, based on sound and appearance, it'll likely putter along forever!

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Since Type 1 Beetle pans proved too weak for the Type 2 Transporter, Volkswagen engineered a new ladder chassis with unit-body construction. That said; because the Type 2's wheelbase was the same as the Type 1's, engineers reused the Type 1 reduction gear, enabling this relatively large vehicle to get good performance out of a relatively efficient engine. At the front of the bus, rebuilt drum brakes sit at the edges of a rebuilt independent suspension. At the back of the bus, a rebuilt synchromesh 4-speed rides between two more rebuilt drums. And power meets the pavement through painted steel wheels, which spin 185R14 Continental Vancos around "VW" stamped hubcaps.

INTERIOR

Open this rare people mover's curved doors and you'll find acres of tasteful gray upholstery. All three rows of seats have been finished to an excellent state. Above those seats, a neutral headliner plants a small console behind a simple mirror. At the sides of that headliner, 2-tone door panels mix bright chrome handles with straight stainless trim. Below those panels, tough flooring frames a factory shifter. At the front of the van, a gray dash hangs a requisite church key below simple VDO telemetry and an old school VDO clock. In front of the driver, a restored steering wheel laps an ornate horn button. And behind the passengers, a carpeted cargo area features polished jail bars.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

This stunning Samba is a clean, fully sorted classic that blurs the lines between value and fun. Desirable and unique, it's a timeless example of the boisterous style that continues to elevate '60s specialty cars to the top of the collector car market. If you're looking for some exclusive metal that doubles as a great investment, welcome to the 'people's car'!