1965 VW Kombi Bus in $1,000,000 Stash

Listed here on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $1,000,000, this 1965 Volkswagen Bus in Waterville, Ohio awaits a new owner with deep pockets and dreams of finishing it properly. Before you mock the asking price it’s important to know the sale includes “bumpers, glass, wheels, lights, seats, and “other parts.” Personally I never realized a VW bus (“Kombi” in some countries) could bring seven digits at auction. Removing tongue from cheek we must assume the Buy It Now price is pure fiction and the listing’s purpose is to attract buyers to the upcoming in-person auction of this and other vehicles.

Depending on their background, people see these vehicles as “Hippie Vans,” “Terrorist Vans,” or simply a practical alternative to the bulky American vans of their time. The most interesting VW Bus I’ve experienced had a well-engineered Corvair flat-six transplant that doubled its horsepower, a benefit the owner utilized in a nicely balanced “drift” around a rain-soaked Pittsburgh cloverleaf.

Said to have a “rock solid” frame and floor, this bus traversed a mere 37,713 miles in its lifetime ,and appears to have enjoyed a partial restoration at some point.

The engine “runs and sounds excellent,” and other updates include new brakes. The air-cooled flat-four cylinder represents a simple low-budget powerplant for the masses, and parts are readily available. After a global apocalypse, cockroaches and old Volkswagens will continue to scurry around under their own power.

Other cars heading to auction with the Kombi include more Volkswagens including a 1958 23-window Samba, some American “heavy metal,” and “an old Cadillac Hearse.” If the Million-dollar bus is not your thing, which is your favorite?

Comments

  1. Avatar Bob

    I bid $1000.00

    Like 11
    • Avatar michael h streuly

      I bid $500.00

      Like 0
  2. Avatar DAVID6

    😲BACK IN 1965 I WAS VW FACTORY TRAINED AT VW OF AMERICA CULVER CITY CA. I STARTED AT THE LUBE RACK, PAY WAS 50/50 LABOR.WHEN THEY CAME OUT WITH THE 1300cc FOR SOME REASON THE CLUTCH & ALTERNATOR HAD PROBLEM’S. R&R WARRANTY $15.50 FOR ALTERNATOR, $48,00 FOR CLUTCH, I GOT SO GOOD AT R&R THAT OTHER MECHANIC’S WERE ALWAY’S PISSED AT ME BECAUSE I DID MORE & BETTER THAN MOST OF THEM, I COULD DO A CLUTCH, IN & OUT & ROAD TEST MY BEST TIME WAS 41 MINUTES.THAT SAID BEING ON LUBE RACK I SAW MORE WORK TO BE DONE THAN ALL THE REST. I PERSONALLY WORKED ON 2 21 WINNDOW VAN’S, BOTH OWNED BY SENIOR’S. ONE NEEDED A CLUTCH THE OTHER NEEDED VALVE JOB, THEY WERE BOTH IN EXCELLANT CONDITION,THEY COULDN’T AFFORD THE WORK, THESE WEREN’T POPULAR BACK THAN. WE HAD OUR OWN TOW AT CONTINENTAL MOTOR’S I DROVE BOTH TOO THE CRUSHER, I WATCHED ONE PUT ON THE TABLE OF CRUSHER PUSHED DOWN & WINDOW’S EXPLODING OUT. A WHILE BACK I WAS ATTENDING A AUCHION THE FIRST & ONLY ONE I WILL EVER GO TO. THERE WAS ONE THERE IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TOTALLY RESTORED WITH COST’S I WENT FOR ($206,000) THIS IS TOTALLY REDICULAS, I KNOW THAT PEOPLE CAN DO WHAT EVER THEY WANT WITH THE GREEN, BUT THIS IS INSANE👎😎

    Like 31
    • Avatar cedarman

      Your caps lock is stuck on.

      Like 59
      • Avatar DaveMc

        Smell chek quit werking too.

        Like 57
      • Avatar Mountainwoodie

        You guys…..give him a break…. lol

        As for the bus…yet another new low if its even possible in the insanity surrounding car prices……….I need not say had I realizes how much you could ask for these busses I would have put my cherry 21 window ’67 in storage for thirty years!

        Like 12
    • Avatar Andrew

      There’s a nice 23 window bus sitting on King Edward Boulevard in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, doing nothing, and is exposed to the elements. I have not seen it driving and the houses there do not have garages. I wonder why someone would purchase it, then leaving it for what it is.

      Like 5
      • Avatar Andrew

        Front view of the one above.

        Like 6
    • Avatar Eddie

      rediculas

      Like 1
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      COTD, maybe even the year.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar canadainmarkseh

    For a million dollars is he including all the other cars and possible the build. I like Bobs bid, it makes much more sense. High dollars buyers well, all I have to say is there’s no cure for stupid.

    Like 8
    • Avatar jdjonesdr

      I don’t Like Bob’s bid, it’s higher than what I was going to bid. LOL

      Like 17
  4. Avatar Big_Fun Member

    I believe one of the reasons the prices are so high on these, is the comedian that has the nickname “fluffy”. He has an amazing collection of VW’s, and lots of public exposure, as well as semi celebrity status, so that reflects on what is in vogue to be collecting right now. Google ” fluffys vw collection” to see what it is. It must play a role in pricing . A small role, but a profound one, like it or not .

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Howard A Member

    Maybe if we ignore this foolishness, it will go away. Posted here for shock value only, I’m sure. People that visit a free site gonna spend a million dollars on this rubbish? Not in the world I live in.

    Like 15
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      You’re so cheap HoA!

      As for posting it here…….I’m grateful that they do. Makes it easier for me to reconfirm my long held beliefs in the inate stupidity of some people.

      Like 5
  6. Avatar leiniedude Member

    The old Cadillac Hearse they plan on posting would be interesting, if they come to there senses about pricing.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Fred Wilharm

    This seller contracted with the wrong “auction house”. As you can see by the photo on their site, he went to the local “Let me sell your stuff on Ebay” place and contracted with them. They don’t know beans about what they are selling (see reference to “23 passenger Samba bus”). He needs to clean this stuff up and tow it through a regional classic car auction, or have Yvette Van Der Brink combine this with a couple other collections and get those serious bidders to the site.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Fred W

      ….and, the Ebay place has 93% feedback (terrible) and several complaints of “paid and didn’t get my item” (or title).

      Like 5
      • Avatar 71FXSuperglide

        As if the crazy BIN wasn’t enough, big red flag on the feedbacks.

        Whomever is selling this obviously has quite the collection, why not engage someone serious to sell it for you?

        Like 4
  8. Avatar Howard A Member

    Ok, the price is out of line, but if you read David6’s post, we are the dummies for sending most of these to the crusher. They were, and still are, miserable vehicles. Ok, the Bug was one thing, but there were much better US vans that these couldn’t hold a candle to, and nobody wanted them. Of course they won’t get a million dollars, but it is a clean VW van, and someone will pay dearly to have it, just for the novelty, just not here.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar Rick

    Well, to be fair, the ad – if you follow the auction site’s link – says to make an offer. Seems the owner has quite a few splitties in there, including a panel van. VW guys will eat these up. And truth, if I had the space and time, I’d offer as well.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Tempo Ray

    Being a long term air-cooled hobbyist for many decades, I believe the asking dollar amount was made in error. These mid-century Kombi’s haven’t even reached this status yet. I believe it to be a practical stunt. However, over the course of this past decade, 1950’s era 23 window Samba busses have been fetching well over a quarter of a million dollars. Currently, there is a 1958 Samba unit for sale with an asking price of $265k. People who aren’t familiar with this market fail to understand that this really exists. And of course, everyone will announce their opinion…My hats off to the people that have the “goods.” I’m just envious that I didn’t project and buy into this Samba market years ago…”Keep innovating not duplicating”

    Like 4
  11. Avatar Andrew Gerns Member

    “But, dear, I tried to sell it! Honest!”

    Like 3
  12. Avatar David Frank Member

    Perhaps, well, uh, this cargo bus makes as much sense as the asking price of the one on eBay. LOL!

    Like 18
    • Avatar jack Quantrill

      Star Wars props?

      Like 1
  13. Avatar James Martin

    You can’t go up but you can always go down. I guess that to be thought pattern. Either that I want some of what he be smokin here.

    Like 4
  14. Avatar DanaPointJohn

    Not enough windows. Drop the price $800K to be realistic for a bus in pieces, and not the most desirable among collectors.

    Like 2
  15. Avatar Jack Quantrill

    They must be joking! Or, this is in Pesos.

    Like 3
  16. Avatar Carla Hernandez

    There is so much unacceptable behavior everywhere in the interwebs that barnfinds is more than just a place to enjoy cars, its a place where I can join with friends.
    I don’t care that someone used all caps! Participants here are friends.
    If you are a person above all frailties of humanity we don’t deserve your presence here, praying everyday that you will accept us for who we are.

    Like 7
    • Avatar canadainmarkseh

      You get my vote Carla I hate this picking of nits that some guys seem to need to do. To you grammar and spelling police, you know who you are. We are not professional writers and we don’t need your corrections all the time. Maybe DAVID6 has bad eye sight and this helps him, or maybe he’s charged up and is just expressing himself. Either way he doesn’t need you nit pickers coming at him. Every time I see this I get pi$$ed off.

      Like 5
  17. Avatar Al

    I’m concerned, very concerned.
    If I were to consider this to only include “bumpers, glass, wheels, lights, seats, and “other parts.” What’s next?

    How much more do they expect me to pay for the body, chassis, engine?

    Would I have to pay additional $’s for ambiance too!

    Like 6
  18. Avatar Craig M Bryda

    schools out guys, english class was long ago !

    Like 2
  19. Avatar Mark

    Buy it now for $1,000,000 but “immediate $500 deposit required”. Good grief.

    Folks, this is a direct result of children gnawing on window sills covered in lead paint and eating food cooked in pans with chipping Teflon.
    Sheer madness.

    Hope the seller gets every penny…grab the popcorn and have a seat…..the buyer’s future attempt to flip it should be entertaining….

    Like 4
    • Avatar BigCat

      Seen that one myself immediately upon reading the ad. Looked completely ridiculous 1 mil BIN with a 500 deposit. But then again the whole ad and listing is a total joke. LOL.

      Like 0
  20. Avatar Doc

    Boys, Boys, Boys…You have made me feel proud and glad that I sold my 3.5 years rebuilding of a pristine, 1967 GTO Turquoise Marina Blue, rebuild project that I had over 70k into, for a paltry sum of 42k. Damn proud of the american way (as far as my hobby anyway)! Anyway, check out the 8 layers of paint and 6 clear with a bit of sparkle in the first three coats! Doc in MN

    Like 5
  21. Avatar Chebby Member

    Correction: being sold in WaterPIPE, Ohio.

    Like 4
  22. Avatar Rex Rice

    I’m only asking $49,000 for my slightly rusty 80 Fiat 124 that doesn’t run, but I want it to move quickly.

    Like 3
  23. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Kinda wonder why the guy bothered, I guess for the shock value. Go figure. Not even finished. SMH

    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 1
  24. Avatar Dave T

    Wonder if the seller will accept a cheque?

    Like 3
    • Avatar Al

      Maybe a million in Monotony money.

      Like 3
  25. Avatar garry connors

    i wanted a bus for years but was out priced for years so i rethought my want list i found a 1964 chevy flatty on craigslist in san diego i bought it and am restoring now . complete cost with paint new drivetrain 10k.!!! thxs to vw i got a better van much less money

    Like 1
  26. Avatar Edward

    If the front seat shown goes with this van, it is not original for the vehicle. Neither is the engine shown. Good luck finding Sekurit glass for this vehicle, or any rubber seals around the pop out side windows. These items were virtually non-existent thirty five years ago, no matter the price. Quite a list of other body parts and OEM engine, transmission, and suspension pieces that have no current availability should your wallet have no bottom.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Andrew

      Apparently, they make all parts again, all glass, rubber seals, bearings, etc.

      Like 1
  27. Avatar Marty

    Did Steve McQueen own and race this bus? This guy must have some very good smoke and exceptional special effects glasses. It sure won’t bring my attention to the auction which will most likely have rediculus reserves.

    Like 1
  28. Avatar Bob

    The 0 button obviously got stuck on his keyboard:)

    Like 3
  29. Avatar Al

    After reading many of the posts about this bus I’m concluding the post was worth a mil in humor to those reading

    Like 4
  30. Avatar Tricky

    Craziness!! You know, I have always wanted to be a splitty VW bus, and make it a six-axle car hauler, or something like that. But this, this is pure madness. Its the fools with deep pockets and no brains that keep perpetuating these prices. We have a guy here in OZ, in Queensland, who back in the 70’s and 80’s collected as many vans and busses as he could find, an old German guy. Most of them stayed outside in the weather and deteriorated. Today, he sells a rusty, absolute heap of junk for no less that $100,000 (that’s Aussie dollars, so, $20.35 in USD), and people buy them. I just don’t understand it, and probably never will!!

    Like 4
  31. Avatar Darren

    For one of the ugliest passenger vehicles ever made ?? I understand these are loved for their simplicity but the only thing this van has going for it is that it is pre check engine light VW.

    Like 0
  32. Avatar Howard A Member

    Must be another of Mike Wolfes VW’s,,,

    Like 1
  33. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    No Howard, it’s just some poor misguided
    fool with a very bad case of Barrett-Jackson Syndrome. It’s folks like this poor soul that have scared many a would
    be first time buyer from the old car hobby.
    It’s speculators and flippers who place
    ads like this one that caused the classic
    car market to collapse in the first place–
    not older collectors dying off as they would have you to believe. And yes, there
    are hardcore fans of these buses that
    would pay dearly to own one of them,
    but these groups are small when compared to the rest of the hobbyists
    in general. Let ’em have it I say as I
    scarf up a nice ’74 Buick Apollo sedan
    with 43K miles showing. They have
    their world, and we have ours.

    Like 2
  34. Avatar Camaro Joe

    I just looked at eBay, the BIN price is now listed at $38,500. That’s still way too much for a pile of parts, but at least it’s headed in the right direction.

    My Dad was the general manager of the local VW dealer in the mid 60’s, so I rode in a few of these. Dad hated them because they were slow, and a real hand full if you hit a cross wind, but if he had to haul people or stuff that wouldn’t fit in a Beetle, that’s what we drove.

    The real killer was underpasses at freeway speeds. You’re counter steering against the cross wind (maybe 1000 pounds side force) and the underpass blocks the wind, so the bus jumps sideways a few feet before you can correct it. Dad expected it so he didn’t have too much trouble, but I saw a few other people driving them change lanes unexpectedly over the years because of side winds. Any van will have that problem, but with not much weight on the front end, the bus was way worse than everything else.

    Like 3

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