21-Window Conversion: 1967 Volkswagen Bus

Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.

This is a new one on me: a 13-window 1967 Volkswagen Bus that’s been converted to a coveted 21-window model. That’s certainly one way around the major cost of entry for the desirable 21-window models that have gone off the proverbial rails in terms of the prices collectors are willing to pay, but as this seller admits, he still spent a hefty chunk of change to make this happen, with his own estimates north of $60,000. That said, it’s cleared its reserve price and now sits at $45,000 here on eBay with a few days left in the auction. What say you: is a converted 21-window Bus still a desirable specimen, despite not having left the factory this way?

As someone who routinely buys vehicles in their absolute worst condition and then proceeds to “invest” in them over a number of years, I am not one to judge converting a model into a more desirable specimen, even if buying a decent one outright in the first place makes more sense. There’s a sense of joy I get in seeing an average or below-average specimen become a better version of itself. And if you’ve been watching 21-window prices climb to the low six-figures, a $60K investment in a solid Bus may seem like the smarter way to go. But in a market that values authenticity, I would imagine some of the big spenders in the Type 2 market would hold out for one that left the factory with the desirable window configuration.

That said, if you take a step back and look at what you’re getting, this seems like a fair deal for the buyer. The seller has invested way more in this Bus than just the installation of additional windows, with a fresh interior, rubber seals, sunroof, brand new engine, new front end and steering box, and more. Despite admitting the paint and bodywork isn’t concours-grade, it makes you wonder what the end game was. Of course, I can understand spending all the money to make the vehicle reliable and the cockpit more hospitable, and generally leave the bodywork alone – but given this one had new windows grafted in, I would’ve just opened the checkbook further and had the paint done to a high level.

Still, as the seller mentions, you won’t be afraid to go anywhere in this Bus and leave it parked amongst other, lesser vehicles. The seller doesn’t go into any great detail about the engine, just that it comes with a warranty should anything go wrong with it. Overall, it would likely be hard to replicate this Bus for the current bid price, especially once you factor in the time spent in actual labor and parts sleuthing. The question remains whether the window conversion is truly worth the money being spent, or if you should just put it towards the price of buying the genuine article.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    I wouldn’t buy it for the window conversion, I’d buy it because it’s unique among classic cars, hard work already done, and a price that’s down below the on the moon prices these things usually go for.

    Like 19
    • Solosolo UK SolosoloMember

      Back in the day when I was a classic car dealer, people wouldn’t buy 2+2 Jaguar E Types as they weren’t “classic” enough, looked like they were pregnant etc. I told them to buy while they were available at my current asking price as eventually the early coupes price would have gone through the roof. Well, now they have gone through the roof and if you want an E Type then you have to buy the 2+2 and now everybody wants one. Now it’s the same for the 21 and 23 window VW buses.

      Like 8
  2. BlondeUXBMember

    Clearly the dollars these command is driven be buyers that never owned one in the day. Would-be’s, groupies or past tense pretenders. Fun, nostalgic and nearly non-roadworthy…

    Like 17
    • Gordo

      I drove a 66 VW Kombi for a 5,000 km circumnavigation of Western Europe, including one pass over the Alps, from campgrounds to campgrounds and found my $300.00 special very roadworthy.

      Like 3
      • Steveo

        I can’t imagine someone driving a Kombi over the Alps thinking at the time it was a great idea.

        Like 3
      • ADM

        A group of us went on a canoe trip, from near Boston, to upper New York state. One of the vehicles carrying gear and a canoe was a ’67 bus. Where’s John? He’s two miles back, still trying to make it up a hill.

        Like 2
      • BlondeUXBMember

        Navigating the Delaware Memorial Bridge on a breezy day would require a 1/4 to 1/2 turn steering wheel correction to maintain a lane position.

        Like 2
  3. DavidC

    This has become fairly common within the VW community because of the super high prices of the 21 and 23 window buses. I personally have seen many roof conversions on stock and custom buses.

    Like 3
  4. Patrick L

    Cut out the old roof & graft in the new 21 window roof. I think I saw it done on Bitchin Rides.

    Like 2
    • ADM

      I remember that custom ’65 went for 275K, at Barrett-Jackson.

      Like 3
  5. wuzjeepnowsaab

    This is one of those vehicle valuations that I’ll never understand.

    Like 15
  6. Luki

    Really no difference from an original 21 since it’s a deluxe sunroof delete bus.

    Seller should show the underside as additional pans were added on 21s to support the body because of the hole in the roof. They need to be on this one.

    Like 6
  7. Kurt

    I can see the nostalgia driving the prices through the roof but come on people, this cars are not really meant for today’s freeways! My ‘69 VW van was the only car that earned me a warning for driving too slow!

    Like 11
    • Dougie

      Good point Kurt. Not a problem for me, though. I live in Los Angeles, and rarely have an opportunity to drive over 35mph.

      Like 15
  8. ADM

    I remember our liberal, commie minister(Can you believe that?) always bought VW buses. He had a red and white ’61 23 window Samba, with the sliding canvas roof, and those parking lights that stuck out. He tried to convince my father to buy a bus, so we went over to Herb Anderson Motors, in Norwood, MA. He drove a blue and white ’64, and then walked away. Nope.

    Like 6
    • Gary

      Great respect for a clergyman. Do your parents know how you feel about that person? Come on, talk cars please, and if not, please do not belittle religion. Thank you. BTW, was he a liberal commie because he taught the Gospel as it is written? Amazing how far so called people of faith today seem to have forgotten the basic tenants of the teachings.

      Like 8
      • BhoweMember

        The gospel as written tells us to do those actions voluntarily, not have the government confiscate the fruits of one man’s labor to redistribute to another. Good book also says if you dont work you dont eat.

        Huge difference between doing good works voluntarily and being compelled under force to do them.

        Like 3
      • ADM

        Relax.

        Like 7
      • Gary

        Bhowe, That is NOT in one of the four Gospels. The big guy feeds 5000 without demanding payment. He over and over again speaks of acts of kindness and charity. He heals the sick without a billing clerk. Outside of the four Gospels, read the book of Acts. It sounds like a commune. My point is, you can rant all day about politics and money if you want, but please do not try to relate it to the majority religion in this country.

        Like 4
  9. Dougie

    Never been one for reproductions. There’s some kind of an insecurity problem with someone driving around trying to pull one over on people to feed their ego.

    Like 4
  10. Lowell Peterson

    I killed many Bugs, buses and Vans, back in the late ’60’s and early ’70’s.
    Wouldn drive one farther than I could walk home from now. Ok for the local cruise I guess ? Or just speculators??

    Like 4
  11. bobhess bobhessMember

    After owning a ’55 panel, ’77 camper and ’84 camper I agree that the early ones were best left on back roads. In my case, I was in Goose Bay, Labrador where there was only about 30 miles of road with the ’55 which included a 11 mile road up a 750 ft high “mountain”. Reduction gears and a whopping 38 hp worked just fine. The other two spent their 80K plus miles running interstates all over the country.

    Like 0
  12. RoughDiamond

    This ’67 is a real beauty! I just cannot imagine spending that kind of money to convert one of these, but to each his own as they say. If the buyer is not local, I think capitalizing on that warranty if needed, could be a real challenge.

    I drove a stock ’69 VW van from Chattanooga, TN to Boston, MA when I was a teenager. I quickly learned and put into practice an interstate ritual when possible before attempting any significant gradient. It began with moving into the far right lane followed by saying three Hail Marys, then flooring it and downshifting into third then second gear respectively and finally just hoping I didn’t get clobbered in the rear by someone actually driving the minimum speed limit. A few times I had to downshift into first gear which felt just shy of a fast walking speed.

    Like 6
    • Solosolo UK SolosoloMember

      I don’t know what engine was powering your VW’s but my 1962 Kombi Bus had a 1200cc motor that used to take myself, wife, daughter and son, 1000 miles from Durban, South Africa, to Salisbury (Harare) Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) every Christmas. Rhodesia is nearly 6000 ft above sea level and on the flat it never dropped below 45 mph and third gear. The trip back down was a little faster of course!

      Like 1
  13. SMS

    I do like it. Reminds me of the kits to weld in a split window into the back of a more recent beetle.

    Have a ‘69 Karmann Ghia as a daily driver. It is 9 miles to work on surface streets. See no reason to take the freeway. When I ask the kids what car they want to take it is always the Ghia.

    A hobby car like this should make you smile and driving this one would make me smile.

    Like 3
  14. Dorito

    Hate to be the driver of this in a head on crash..

    Like 2
    • SMS

      Don’t worry. Legs are overrated.

      Like 2
  15. Oilyhands

    If you’re going to replace the roof to make it into a non original 21 window, why stop at this point….. drop a Porsche/Corvair/Subaru engine in, upgrade the transmission, put proportionate brakes to the power and speed that it could do and really have some fun…. Fake it till you make it!

    Like 1
    • DavidC

      That’s exactly what I would do. They do quite well with a modified bigger type 4 engine. Add disc brakes, etc.

      Like 1
  16. A.G.

    If this was American metal and modified to look like something it isn’t, it would be called a tribute.

    Like 3
  17. numskalMember

    https://grumpysmetal.com/1951-1963-bus-sunroof-conversion-w-windows-kit.html

    https://www.sunroofsource.com/68-79-vw-bus-46×48-sliding-ragtop-folding-sunroof-kit/

    at least you would not have to sacrifice a bus to make a bus. I grew up riding in the back of a 64 sunroof and a 68 bus, we had a cabin in the San Bernadino mountains then and they could only make about 30-35 MPH going up that road!

    Like 0
    • Gordo

      Grumpys look like the way to go, I can’t see how the OP could spend $60k on his conversion if he took this path!

      Like 0
    • SMS

      That is cool.

      Like 0
  18. Araknid78

    Ended: Aug 13, 2021 , 8:08AM
    Winning bid:US $45,900.00
    [ 36 bids ]

    Located in:Santa Ana, California

    Like 1

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.

Barn Finds