Description
We're absolutely privileged to have some of the best classic Volkswagens available & Steve Parkes stunning October '56, '57 year model RHD totally standard 23 Window Deluxe is the epitome of what we do. Originally from Sweden, when Steve purchased it 5 years ago it was very much a project . Retro Restoration in Stafford was chosen to do the restoration which was extensive, as you can see in the photos and the video linked below. The work has been to the highest standards & to as close to factory spec as possible. Carefully measuring and detailing stitch & spot welds with amazing accuracy. Around 90 % of the chassis was replaced & the work carried on a jig to ensure perfection. Its had long side, short side, all posts, rear corners, front end, floors, inner & 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 & rear hatch were hung to resulting in such beautiful shut lines. After 100's of hours of skilful welding & 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 & 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 & badge all setting the bus off . As you can see it has semaphore indicators & the centre brake light on the engine lid. All lights are correct Hella units & again the attention to detail on this bus, is evident with even the headlight units being dated correctly. All the glass is correct matching original Sekurit logo throughout. It goes without saying every rubber seal was relaced with the best available. Steve's main objective was to fully restore to as it was when it left the factory 68 years ago, so its still running 6volt, the engine is a stock 1200cc 30hp engine. John Walklett rebuilt the small nut reduction box gearbox & the long block with Retro Restorations building it up from there. They rebuilt the original fuel pump, distributor, cab etc & again for detail, look at the gorgeous exhaust pipe. The correct colour shocks were installed & the brake system fully rebuilt. The original standard wheels now wear re-chromed beauty rings and hub caps & 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 , prior to body colour, as this is considered the best protective coating available. Take a look inside now & you'll find a totally original 9 seater RHD microbus interior, can you imagine a nicer place to be ? The seat frames we all fully stripped and then black power coated before skilfully restored and reupholster by Kens Customs, who also did the beautiful heading & full original Golde rag top. Not the fully polished & correct coat hook, jail bares in the back & I've never seen such perfect middle seat handles. The restoration was that meticulous that every door catch , lock & mechanism was re-zinc plated. Krautclassicparts restored the clear needle speedo & 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 & was shown in the main entrance hall of the Volksworld Show at Sandown race course in March of this year, & was met with high acclaim. It then arrived with us a few weeks ago, so now is available. Consider this is as close as you could possibly get to a brand new RHD 1956 23 Window Deluxe Samba, its on the market for £165, 000. We can help with a walkround video & can assist with national or international delivery. We're based in North Devon , England. Thank you for reading. - details above
