West Coast Classics are proud to present a rare and recent fully nuts and bolts professional rotisserie restoration example with only some 9,469 miles on the build of this 1975 Volkswagen conversion tribute 23 Window Deluxe Samba Microbus with skylight windows and cloth sunroof!
This custom 1975 Volkswagen Samba Type 2 23-window Microbus re-creation has undergone a professional rotisserie restoration by 'A&J Revival' in Brazil. Nothing has gone untouched and no expense has been spared. As part of the 23-window re-creation, this bus has been fitted with correct belly pans, providing added chassis rigidity, like the original 23-window German buses. The pans are an important structural component when a bus is upgraded with a large sunroof opening and roof windows. It also came factory equipped with a limited-slip differential.
The bus is finished in two-tone colors with a Lotus White and Royal Red two-tone paint over a White and Tan interior with VW stitching. 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 factory original 1500cc 4-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, the complete drivetrain has been rebuilt, including the engine, transmission, and transaxle. The engine compartment was color-matched, and a graduated crank pulley was installed along with an adjustable tensioner and generator pulleys. 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 and upgraded to 12 volts. This 23-window re-creation rides on painted steel wheels with VW German chrome hubcap wheels wrapped in whitewall tires.
Additional features include front and rear luggage racks, a retractable steel and wood ladder, and a Revival-brand steering wheel. This vehicle comes with an official Volkswagen de Brasil certificate verifying its originality, including the chassis number, color, manufacturing year and technical specifications.
This a highly desirable professional restoration and 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 is a superbly completed and very striking tribute to the iconic Type 24 Bus (Deluxe 9 passenger Microbus) which 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 razor straight and all the door and panel fits are original and 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.
We at West Coast Classics have over the years sold many virtually identical examples of these original M code 21 & 23 window model buses and it is now patently obvious that these are the Volkswagens that collectors and enthusiasts around the world are seeking with increasing fervor and you will certainly look long and hard to find a finer restored and always rust free original example of this iconic 23 Window Samba Bus conversion available anywhere else!
