Description
For Sale '59 LHD 23 Window Samba-
Just imagine driving along on a summer's day, with your family or friends all together in one of the most iconic classic Volkswagens ever produced. This stunning 23 Window Deluxe Samba is the epitome of ageless comfort , style & quality, only really created in days gone by . With the Safari windows open , the full length rag top rolled back & the rear pop outs open it can’t help to put a smile on your face & those on board. One thing I love about our old Volkswagens is that as you drive through a village or town, young children will look & point as you drive by, with no concept of value or rarity …….. They just simply love the charm & characters that they are & that appeal never fades.
The current owner has had many air cooled Volkswagens over the years & always held the 23 Window Samba as the pinnacle of the marque, so 8 years ago he managed to buy the bus you see before you, although not quite as it is now. A full rotisserie restoration was undertaken, after stripping it completely & carefully storing all the original glass, interior etc, the bus was media blasted to remove all imperfections & to be able to see what work was required. All the rotten metal was cut away & can best be described as a bird cage, before the project went forward.
It had new chassis components, cab & cargo floors, complete front panel , longside, shortside, rear corners, dog legs, roof sections, the list is endless. The best quality parts were used, sourcing predominantly from Schofields & AutoCraft.
Once the metal work was complete, the preparation for paint continued at the multiple stages, to ensure arrow straight panels, before finally being painted in Sealing Wax Red (L53) over Chestnut Brown (L73). Naturally it's the areas that you can't see that show the level of restoration & this bus was painted inside, together with the engine bay & the underside which was colour matched in Upol Raptor. All the ancillaries, such as the front beam & steering components, suspension, gearbox & engine, were all detailed as well, so it looks as good underneath, as it does on top.
Air Cooled Auto Elec fitted a brand new wiring loom & all the rubber door & windows seals were replaced. The original 9 seater configuration was retained & fully reupholstered with new side cards & door panels, all completed as close to original as possible. A West of England wool headliner was then crafted & a stunning new rag top was made & fitted.
The bus won at the first show it attended & has been enjoyed around the coast & countryside a few miles from where it lives. The owner now has his sights set on something else, so the Samba is on the market for £100, 000. We’re based in North Devon , England & can provide many restoration photos, walkround video etc & can assist with national or international shipping- Thankyou for reading.
