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1965 Volkswagen Bus: Shriner-Driven

boogiebus

If there’s one thing old VW Buses are good for, it’s being used as a rolling billboard. This barn find ’65 Bus here on eBay has a reserve price that I hope isn’t too high, as it deserves a sympathetic restoration to preserve its role in annual Shriner parades. Converted to allow the kids staying in the local Shriner hospital to wave to the crowds from dual ramp-style doors, this example of Volkswagen’s ubiquitous people-hauler is unlike any I’ve ever seen. They’ve been used as ambulances, track-side support vehicles and handyman’s vans, but a parade car is a new one to me. This Bus is going to need some work to protect the body from further corrosion and the motor is locked up, but the paint and doors should definitely be preserved during any restoration attempts made on the “Boogie Bus.” I can only imagine how much fun it had to be if you were a kid loading up in this cheerful VW on parade day. How would you restore it?

Comments

  1. Avatar Chebby

    Kids and parades, eh? This thing is just *slightly* less creepy than Dr. Kevorkian’s VW bus.

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    • Avatar David Member

      Kids and parades? What’s creepy? I’m so sorry you feel thay way. The Shriners have done great work for children over many years.

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  2. Avatar George

    The reserve has already been met. They now think it’s a 63. I would love to play with this.

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    • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

      The door handles and vents tell me this is a post 63 bus.

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  3. Avatar Ed P

    This bus should be preserved just because of its past use by the Shriners. I can picture this bus with kids on it surrounded by Shriners (old kids) marching (goofing around) along a parade route. Oh, I forgot their fez’s. Nothing creepy here Chebby.

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  4. Avatar Clay Bryant

    I imagine back in it’s day,this sucker really flew with those Cobra Jet GT tires on it………………………

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  5. Avatar Jeff Staff

    Agreed with some of the other comments – this Bus was used for a noble cause, so I suspect there’s nothing but good vibes packed inside!

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  6. Avatar Chris A.

    Even now this bus “as is” packed up with kids and pulled along a parade route on a flat bed would generate a lot of smiles and support. Save it, sure looks better than what was hauled out of the Norwegian salt water. The Shriners hospitals for kids are a great service and deserve all our support.

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  7. Avatar krash

    My memories of the Shriners:
    …..parades and good-natured guys volunteering their time for a great cause…riding Honda Mini Trails (or Cushmans) in formation, adorned in the ubiquitous Fez….putting smiles on little kids faces…

    Pretty cool getting an old Shriner’s vehicle…
    Football season is coming….great tailgate party bus…

    Like 0

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