To put your project in perspective, it sometimes helps to look at an example in worse shape than yours. This 1971 Volkswagen Microbus is said to have run when parked 25 years ago, but hasn’t moved from its spot in Ridgeland, South Carolina in quite some time. The seller says it will run, and has a rebuilt engine with increased horsepower over stock – but that was before it sat for two decades. At least it’s selling at no reserve here on eBay with bidding just over $1,700.
The Type 2s remind me how close my 1981 Toyota HiAce project is in design to the original VW Buses. The way the doors open over the front wheels, the step into the cab, and obviously the slab-flat front end are all design hallmarks of both vans. However, despite the many rust issues mine has, it’s inhabitable at the moment and I’m comfortable driving it around town. The interior of this Bus reveals it’s been a make-shift shed and a home for critters I care not imagine.
Like my van, I’m guessing the window seals are shot, and it’s hard to tell if there’s still a middle row bench under there. The rear bench is still present but I’m not sure you’d want to sit on any of the surfaces before extensive cleaning commenced. Oh, and no thanks on the spider webs. The seat stuffing is exposed on the front seats and thick coating of debris on the windows and in the door tracks indicates long period of outdoor exposure – and no matter how nice South Carolina’s climate is, it hasn’t stopped this Bus from rusting.
Rot-through is present on the bottoms of the fenders, all along the roof perimeter and around the windshield frame. What’s perhaps most encouraging is this engine shot, which shows what appears to be a factory sticker either pointing to a past of regular maintenance (last oil change, belt service, etc.) or perhaps indicating a replacement block that would validate the seller’s claims of a motor was fairly fresh before this Type 2 entered its long slumber. If it were an earlier model, the rust seems manageable; as a later example, I’m guessing this one will be parted out. What do you think its fate will be?
Parts car.
Steve R
Not a parts car. Never under estimate VW people.
49 bids so far
Looks like it was parked due to that leaky radiator. LOL Well! Somebody was going to say it!! LOL
I put in my bid in at $275,000. but I know that will to get it, or has the bubble burst yet? Oh the Humanity!
I have a ’79 Westy camper. Before I found it (locally in Florida) I was considering bidding on one located in CA, flying there and driving it home. A friend said to me in complete seriousness, “you’re gonna lose a water pump in someplace like New Mexico and you’ll have to be rescued.” This was about ten years ago. I still tease him.
That sticker just has to do with fan belt tension and valve adjustment if I remember… it’s from the factory. This bus is destined for parts, rot in the roof is terminal I’m afraid which means the frame rails are prob even worse…Baywindows just aren’t worth enough yet for such extensive reconstruction
Not the stock engine. 1971 had a dual port engine with the oil cooler out of the airflow to the #3 cylinder. It should have nice front disc brakes though.
Appears to be a ’72, old style bumpers but type 4 motor. I’ve had 11, yes, 11 of these ranging from a ’67 Split Window to the newer Vanagons. I wish I had them all back again, their value has done better than my 401K, LOL. I’ve had a ’72, they were nicknamed the “72 blues” because it had the newer motor but no overhead access hatch over the engine, which made it a real PITA to work on. I’ll always love these vans, but I don’t see myself ever buying one again, and surely NOT this one!
If this Volkswagen REALLY WAS a 1971 it would be worth a lot more! It is a 1972 which was the first year for the larger “Pancake” engine. . . not as desirable. = JAH JCC
I’ll take it off their hands. But, they will have (1) empty out the interior, (2) wash it off and (3) pay for towing to Maryland
My dad had one. I had the opportunity to drive it once. It was the only vehicle I had ever driven that when I pushed down on the gas pedal… nothing happened.
You didn’t wait long enough, lol, eventually it would have started to pick up speed!
This will be bought…restored with a ton of BONDO and sold at Barrett Jackson for $18-$25K. Boy will the seller have a smile on their face while the new owner will be kicking themselves in the a_ _ for buying this bucket. Oh well. Drinking, bidding, and just too much money in your pocket don’t mix well together.