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Dry 21 Window: 1967 Volkswagen Samba

We all endeavor to utter the words, “Find of a lifetime” someday. It’s different for all of us: some folks may pine to find a barn full of American muscle, while others may seek a stash of microcars. If you’re an aircooled VW fanatic, a barn full of old Buses is quite close to the motherlode, as their values have shot sky-high in recent years. The seller of this very solid 1967 Volkswagen 21-window Bus is living the proverbial dream, as he lucked into buying 15 vintage VWs out of a private collection. He’s selling this example to fund the rebuild of another Bus he snagged. Find it here on eBay with a $35,000 Buy-It-Now.

The price – to me – seems more than fair. Many of the 21-windows that have shown up on eBay in recent years are quite rough, as collectors either keep the good ones for themselves or simply try and cash in on a parts Bus they got for cheap. Those windows will do it every time, of course, in terms of turning a heap into a score. This is clearly not a heap, as it has good bones with solid floors and even the troublesome cab corners look good. The seller notes rust is mostly limited to surface areas but there is one spot of concern in the belly pan. Most of the interior is still there, too.

As I’ve learned, having rear seats of any kind in a Bus is a score in and of itself, and this one has such a feature. The floors, as you can see, are hardly trashed, and there must have been some level of care taken in how this collection was stored. The seller notes that it was indeed on stands, which helps explain the condition. Some rust is noted in the battery tray and the nose was bumped at some point; a spare tire was also previously mounted there. Overall, though, there’s not much to fault here for a 21-window Samba that has good, original glass and excellent factory colors.

No motor is included, but that’s hardly a surprise. The seller has done a masterful job of removing the green respray to reveal the original Titan Red color and overall sounds like an individual who knows a good aircooled when he sees one. Honestly, I’d have such a hard time selling anything I got in a collection like this, especially if it’s a desirable model with those iconic windows still in place. The seller doesn’t mention it, but it even looks to have a canvas sunroof! A lot to like here, for sure.

Comments

  1. Avatar Scooter

    35000 pesos, no problem

    Like 4
  2. Avatar stillrunners

    That trim is rare haven’t see many and the one that had them in a wrecking yard sold the whole bus before I could remove then. Wasn’t a 21 window bus but close to that same color.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Francisco

    Jeff, The seller states that “…it stands to reason” why it is not in bad shape. He didn’t say anything about it being “on stands.”

    Like 0
  4. Avatar PatrickM

    Boy! These things really grab some cash, don’t they? Just not out of this old man’s pocket. Pass.

    Like 8
  5. Avatar Tim S.

    “Iconic” but no “patina”? You folks are slipping in the buzzword department.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Saw a restored one go for 105k on Me-cum. These had a problem with the engine blocks back near the rear main, cracks. Might explain missing engine. Defininitely seen worse!!

    Good luck to the new owner!

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Bullethead

    I’ve owned one for over 25 years that is nearing the end of a full bare shell resto, and can say with authority that this one will NOT be cheap or easy to bring back. Unless you’re a very capable metal man, shop time and materials to fix the rust and damage that can be seen on this example will easily cost as much as the asking price. Mine LOOKED nearly rust free, but it had it in unexpected areas, not just around window openings. So far over 400 hours (140 of them mine) and we’re finally ready for paint. Steering wheel looks like a GM item, the floor is rotten (and possibly the frame rails and outriggers) and the heater tube is missing. That rear seat appears to be from an old school bus, it’s not VW. Replacing both back seats alone will be $3-4000 for bare donors. All interior panels are missing which isn’t a big deal since EVERYTHING is being reproduced. But all those little bits will add up, fast. I know people are enamored with these cars and nostalgia can push buttons, but project bus pricing reflects auction results and it has gotten ridiculous. Most sales probably barely cover resto costs. I love my bus but do not understand the current fetish for them.

    Like 29
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      Looks like his ship’s come in! I’m suprised it’s still available. But yeah, the buyer will be in a world of pain, though someone willing to drop 35k on this as a starting point can probably absorb a lot of pain.

      Like 4
    • Avatar grant

      One might counter that if you “love” your bus, you understand perfectly the current fetish around them. People just love ’em.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Lroy

    I appreciate these, don’t understand the values placed on them. Ever since some intoxicated bidder paid $200+k for a perfect one they have gone off the charts. This tattered shell is a great place to start. The mob rules so I hope no one pays any where near the asking price to send a reality check to the market place.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      W.T.H.? Are you serious??

      Like 3
  9. Avatar Milt

    They also forgot to include “awesome”. Perhaps they should get a current edition of “Mindless Cliches For Parrots and Dummies”.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar nrg8

    35k? If it was running driving stopping, sure.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar Scott Tait

    Over priced … and to be fair theres even fakes out there … have seen a few with extra windows fitted after the fact to “cash” in on the hype

    Like 1
  12. Avatar David Miraglia

    parts just like the Mustang

    Like 1
  13. Avatar Martin Horrocks

    When a vehicle´s worth is defined by the number of windows it has…..

    The hippy era originated many interesting ideas, but the notion that the VW bus was anything other than a flawed and unsafe means of transport was not one of them.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar TempoRay

    Type-2 VW transporters/ 21 and 23 window Samba busses have gained iconic collectible value during the last couple of decades. This is most certainly a niche market and not for the faint-of-heart. Most outsiders would rather criticize rather than comprehend what drives these markets. Fine concourse examples have already exceeded a quarter of a million dollars. Understanding why certain vehicles command the money that they do is the difference between the folks who negotiate successful investments and the ones that stay stuck. Continue to learn and stay open minded…

    Like 6
    • Avatar Martin Horrocks

      I do know a guy who has a special Swiss postal VWvan meticulously restored and insured for a huge amount of money. He pays the premium, and the insurance company is happy to take the risk. Same guy has some very tasteful sports cars, but I think in this he is the exception to the rule of VW Vanland.

      The cost of something and its worth/value are not the same thing. This is a fashion item. It falls way short of art. It´s not even rare. A bit of research shows +/- 5600 first series 23 window Sambas produced, over 12000 second series 23 window Sambas, and nearly 93500 of the 21 window Samba like this one.

      In fact, that last number is so big that I´m sure it can´t be right. However, there´s enough hype and sufficient numbers of fashion conscious people with the money to megaboost the value of a VW van with more windows than average. I suppose they feel it enhances their images, like a $100K watch. I would be embarassed to be seen with either.

      It is true, in concours condition, you can name your price and redefine “polishing a turd”. Because a bigger fool will give you a profit doesn´t make this into a desirable vehicle. I´m hoping to land a very special Alfa (one of 1000 +/-, coachbuilt and in excellent condition) for similar money to this bag of nails, but what would I know?

      Like 2
  15. Avatar Rex Rice

    We live in a strange world where a cheap means of transport becomes a super star. Whoever buys this will be someone with no memory of the world we old folks grew up in, pedal to the metal, being passed on the slightest of hills by everything.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Martin Horrocks

      Yep, roared past one like it was standing still on an incline on Friday.

      Fair enough, I drive a 70HP Fiat Panda diesel……

      Like 0
  16. Avatar Classic Steel

    I like it and could weld it back
    But I would needs pics of undercarriage
    to see all angles .
    A new scat motor with dual carbs or a small four banger ford or Honda motor converted to fit.
    I am sure it will bring it.

    Hey any milinials out there cashing in bit coins or grandpas trust funds? 🙃

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Buzzzwords@gmail.com

    DFN 931 B (British registration) where are you now ?

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Nevis Beeman

    DFN 931B where are you now.?
    ( British registered Volkswagen last heard of in Scotland early 1970s)

    Like 0
  19. Avatar John b

    Hi all-
    I have a 1960 single cab with the same red and white color scheme. Slowly im restoring her as i go fror the past 10 years…my question is, do the single cab pick-ups restored bring the same money as the buses restored? Thanks

    Like 0

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