Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an attractively restored example of this 1970 Volkswagen conversion tribute 23 Window Deluxe Samba Microbus 1500cc air cooled 4 cylinder engine matched to a 4 speed manual transmission with skylight windows and cloth sunroof!
The bus is finished in two-tone colors with of Blue with an Ivory White top and a matching interior. It features safari front windows, two sets of pop-out windows on each side, a full center retractable ragtop sunroof, double cargo side doors and seating for nine. The rear wooden roof rack provides for additional storage.
Powered by a 1500cc 4-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, the complete drivetrain has been rebuilt, including the engine, transmission, and transaxle. The rebuilt engine with a new carburetor was installed and a new distributor, ignition coil, spark plugs and wires. The suspension, steering and braking systems have also been rebuilt with new parts throughout. The electrical system was completely redone, from the wiring harness to the generator, voltage regulator and battery.
This a highly desirable conversion tribute to a collectible Type 24 Bus (Deluxe 9 passenger Microbus). Most Deluxe Microbuses were ordered as Samba models (a $160 option) that included a sliding canvas sunroof flanked by 4 skylight windows on each side of the roof (that's a 23 window bus through model 1963 and a 21 window bus starting in model year 1964). The deluxe Microbus was Volkswagens top-of-the-line transporter.
This iconic Type 24 Bus (Deluxe 9 passenger Microbus) were originally marketed for touring the Alps with small skylight windows embedded into the roof for added viewing capabilities and were manufactured with the highest trim level available which included trim strips along the beltline and a dash clock! Most Deluxe Microbuses were ordered as Samba models (a $160 option) that included a sliding canvas 'Golde' sunroof flanked by the 4 skylight windows on each side of the roof.
The Type 2 was sold in many combinations. As a panel van without windows, a double-door panel with cargo doors on both sides, with a raised roof, with removable rear seats, as a flatbed pickup, crew cab pickup, Westfalia converted camper van (the ones with the pop-up roof and a stove), and the Samba. Also knows as the Sunroof Deluxe, this was the luxury model. It had more windows, designed to improve sightseeing for passengers in the back. It also had a massive fabric sunroof that opened up nearly the entire roof.
When it comes to the Type 2, the number of windows is a huge part of it's attraction and status. Like having a numbers matching big block in a muscle car, more is better. The basic Kombi was an 11-window. The Deluxe got 15 panels. But the Samba ruled the roost. 23 windows with a split windshield and eight skylight panels in the roof. In 1964, the rear door was widened and two rear panes went away with bus reduced to 21 windows. So the rarest and most desirable for collectors bus was, and will always be, the 23-window Samba, built only from 1951 to 1963.
The body is straight and all the door and panel fits are as they should be and the bus is fitted with highly desirable 'original German' Safari front windows. The 1500 single carb 4 cylinder engine was completely rebuilt and is matched to a 4 speed manual transaxle. During the restoration, the complete drivetrain was refurbished, including the engine, gearbox, differential and reduction boxes as well as a new carburetor was installed along with a vacuum advanced electronic ignition distributor, ignition coil, spark plugs and wires. The suspension, steering and braking systems were also refurbished with new parts as well as the 12-volt electrical system. It features eight chrome framed panoramic samba windows, a retractable ragtop canvas sunroof, a split windshield with safari windows, a wider trunk lid and a roof rack and ladder that combines stainless steel and wood.
This bus must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - the engine is extremely strong and responsive with excellent oil pressure and no oil leaks and which sounds absolutely magnificent, the original factory 4 speed transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears, the van brakes great and the engine temperature always remains cool.
