Highlights

Restored to an exceptional standard
Highly desirable 23-window variant
Dry-stored and used very sparingly since rebuild
Upgraded to 1,642cc twin-port engine, 1303 Beetle gearbox and taller axle gearing
Converted to right-hand drive

The Appeal

It’s the crème de la crème of air-cooled Volkswagens.

The 23-window Samba Microbus Deluxe was VW’s range-topping people carrier, installed with every optional extra and creature comfort the firm could devise. As the 23-window moniker suggests, the glass area is enormous, making for a joyously light and airy cabin. Sambas further benefit from a sizeable ‘rag top’ sunroof and pop-out front screens. It’s no wonder they proved so popular in sunny California throughout the 1960s.

This 1962 example was exported to the USA from Germany in 1962, then imported to the UK in 2003. It was converted to right-hand drive at this time and its mechanicals were sympathetically upgraded. Work done included converting the reduction boxes to a straight axle, the fitment of a Volkswagen Beetle 1303 gearbox, a rebuilt 1,642cc twin-port engine, and a 12-volt wiring conversion. The van also got front disc brakes from a bay window Type 2. The previous keeper acquired the bus in October 2017, and had the whole interior has been re-trimmed, including the seats, door cards, headliner, and vinyl floors. The vendor has owned the bus since October 2020 and has used it very sparingly, covering a mere 20-30 miles since it was last serviced.

As the photographs attest, this is a stunning example of Volkswagen’s most coveted Type 2. It’s beautifully presented throughout, running sweetly and ready to be enjoyed by a new custodian.

The History and Paperwork

Supplied new to the USA in LHD
Imported to the UK in 2003
Now converted to RHD
UK V5C and Virginia Title present along with import documentation
Collection of old MOT test certificates
The MOT history shows only a few hundred miles per year of use up until its most recent in October 2017
Now exempt from road tax and MOT
Several invoices for work, parts and servicing
7,563 miles indicated

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The Condition

L380 Turquoise (lower half)/L289 Blue-White (upper half, bumpers and wheels)
Garaged and used sparingly since UK import
The bus continues to present beautifully following extensive restoration work

Wherever you look, the paintwork, brightwork, weather sealing and lighting are all immaculate. All looks equally impressive underneath, too, where this bus is exceedingly clean and tidy. The wheels too are in great shape, and the tyres (Continental EcoContact 3 in 195/65 R15 at each corner) still have most of their tread left.

Of course, the interior is the star of the show. With 23 windows drawing in light and the full-length fabric roof folded back, the Samba’s interior redefines bright and airy. It’s no surprise to discover that with a fairly recent retrim it’s also absolutely immaculate inside with barely any indication of use whatsoever .The seats, door cards, headlining, floor and eight lap belts are likely better than the day the bus rolled out of the factory. The glasswork, seals and opening mechanisms are all in great condition, the one small flaw being paint chipping around the centre door latch. While the roof takes a deft touch and a bit of muscle to properly open and close, it too is reportedly as-new, and shouldn’t cause any issues if you were to be caught in a downpour.

Up front, the trim and paintwork quality is excellent here too, but pleasingly there’s just a hint of use to all the major controls and switches that hint at the van’s 58-year life. Some chipping around the handbrake button is the extent of what you might call blemishes, with only modest pitting to the brightwork and on the charming classic radio. If you prefer your tunes in a slightly clearer format, there is a modern head unit in a compartment hanging under the dash. Oh, and the obligatory flower vase, of course…

The Mechanics

1.6-litre (1,642cc) air-cooled twin-port flat-four
Four-speed manual gearbox from a Beetle 1303
Reduction boxes removed and converted to a straight axle with taller gearing

The vendor notes that this bus has no issue keeping up with modern traffic and cruises happily between 60-70mph on the motorway, aided by its upgraded engine, the longer gearing of the axle conversion and the 1303 gearbox.

It also starts readily and settles down to an even thrum, typical of air-cooled VWs. There were no untoward noises as the bus was being manoeuvred around for the photography and the flat-four sounded more than happy puttering along at idle.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the engine bay is almost as clean as the cabin, and the tinware and pulleys are painted in the same fetching turquoise shade. Once again, everything appears in superb order, and the engine compartment itself is free from signs of corrosion and there’s no evidence of leaking oil. Peer under the vehicle and the sump and engine casing are both dry too, and the heat exchangers are free of corrosion.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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