Description
We're privileged to have some of the best classic Volkswagens available... and Steve Parkes stunning October '56, '57 year model RHD standard 23 Window Deluxe... is the epitome of what we do.
Originally from Sweden, when Steve purchased it five years ago, it was very much a project. Retro Restoration in Stafford was chosen to do the extensive restoration, as seen in the photos and the video linked to this page.
The work has been to the highest standards and to as close to factory spec as possible, carefully measuring and detailing stitch and spot welds with amazing accuracy. Around 90% of the chassis was replaced and the work was carried on a jig to ensure perfection.
It had long side, short side, all posts, rear corners, front end, floors, inner and outer roof skins. In fact, this is as close as you could possibly find to a brand new '57 model 23 Window Samba Deluxe. If you watch the amount of time the doors, engine lid and rear hatch were hung resulting in such beautiful shut lines.
After 100's hours of skilful welding and bodywork, finally came the time to lay on the stunning original paint colours of L73 Chestnut Brown over L53 Sealing Wax Red. All the effort has really paid off, as this bus is possibly better than factory. The panels are so straight and the finish on the paint is simply beautiful.
The bus wears the lovely early pressed bumpers with polished deluxe trim. Which follows through the body with the sills, beltline, air vent and badge all setting the bus off. As you can see it has semaphore indicators and the centre brake light on the engine lid. All lights are correct Hella units and again the attention to detail on this bus is evident with even the headlight units being dated correctly. All the glass is correct matching the original Sekurit logo throughout. It goes without saying every rubber seal was replaced with the best available.
Steve's main objective was to fully restore it to as it was when it left the factory 68 years ago. So it's still running 6volt. The engine is a stock 1200cc 30hp engine.
John Walklett rebuilt the small nut reduction box gearbox and the long block with Retro Restorations building it up from there. They rebuilt the original fuel pump, distributor, cab etc and again for details, look at the gorgeous exhaust pipe. The correct colour shocks were installed and the brake system was fully rebuilt.
The original standard wheels now wear re-chromed beauty rings and hub caps and run on Avon 6. 70 x 15 Cross Ply tyres. The underside again has been painted and detailed to perfection, the only slight deviation at this point is the use of Upol Raptor protective coating, before body colour, as this is considered the best protective coating available.
Take a look inside now and you'll find an original 9-seater RHD microbus interior, can you imagine a nicer place to be?
The seat frames were fully stripped and then black powder coated before being skilfully restored and reupholstered by Kens Customs, who also did the beautiful heading and full original Golde rag top. Not the fully polished and correct coat hook, jail bares in the back and I've never seen such perfect middle seat handles.
The restoration was so meticulous that every door catch, lock and mechanism was re-zinc plated.
Krautclassicparts restored the clear needle speedo and an original Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio was again fully restored to adorn the centre of the dashboard.
This amazing original bus has taken 4 years to perfect and was shown in the main entrance hall of the Volksworld Show at Sandown race course, in March of this year and was met with high acclaim.
It then arrived with us a few weeks ago, and is now available.
Consider this is as close as you could possibly get to a brand new RHD 1956 23 Window Deluxe Samba, it's on the market for £165, 000.
We can help with a walk-round video and can assist with national or international delivery.
We're based in North Devon, England - Thank you for reading.
