Designed to tour the Swiss Alps. That’s what they say about VW bus models like this 23-window cutie. You can understand that the view out all those windows would be spectacular. This one is currently residing in George, Utah, sitting on an early bid of $22,177 with the reserve not met on ebay. The auction lasts until the weekend, Saturday to be precise. So if you’re inclined to take a fair-weather trip to pick it up, this is the time of the year to do it.
It might be great for sightseeing in the mountains, but what’s this going to be like driving around the Southwest in the middle of summer? There’s a reason that glass buildings where they grow vegetables are called “hothouses.” But why should that concern you? Your interest will be in showing this bus off at shows. The VW universe, you’ll soon discover, is huge (and filled with experts who know every detail of how your car should look). The workmanship on this recent restoration is, by the seller’s claims, up to professional standards, and parts replacement was done with correct German bits. The engine is a 1500-CC with a four-speed. No word on its fitness to take you cross-country.
So what’s this desirable VW likely to bring? Well, value guides suggest that the 23-window is where the action is. We know that people usually over-estimate the condition of their cars when they sell them, but even if this is not perfect, as the ad description suggests it to be, it’s a long way from where the bidding sits right now. I’d love to know what the reserve is. Is the seller confident enough to have set it in the six-figure territory? Depends, it would seem, on how much he wants to sell. There’s no claim made about family ownership or such sentiment. This is an investment-quality vehicle that was part of a collection which was owned and restored by KAO Auto Styling, a specialty resto shop in Las Vegas. They’ll very likely have an accurate idea of what to let it go for.
Even if it brings “only” $75K (random number), if you’re the buyer, you have to figure out what you think of the color. The exterior is finished in Mango and Pearlweiss. The interior is at first an unimpressive-looking tan. Does it help that its color is labelled “Mango” as well? If you’re buying only one bus, can you love this color enough for this to be your baby? If you’re not keen on this shade, there are others in the marketplace in other, and to my eyes, more attractive, colors.
A few years ago, my wife and I were driving through the Swiss Alps in a rented car we picked up in Zurich. The scenery was stunning, and at times my wife couldn’t look down.
We pulled into a scenic overlook area, and there was just such a microbus also parked there. After a time, we got into the car and pulled out, and the VW pulled out just ahead of us. I thought “Oh, great, now I have to drive behind this bus”. But to my amazement, the bus steadily pulled away from us as we descended down the mountain. In short order it was gone and out of sight.
Descending the mountain would be no problem, but following this up the mountain would take forever. I’m surprised it could get up a mountain because the buses I saw in Texas had so little power and with the high profile, the winds blew this thing all over the road. VW is not my choice anyway.
Love the colors and for that matter the whole package. However it’s one thing to look beautiful but another to drive beautifully. I have driven enough that I would never consider ownership without making modifications to the front steering/ suspension to make these less of a terror in crosswinds. Know a brilliant engineer and fabricator who engine swapped a Prius drivetrain into one of these busses. It was a camper and the first time he took it on a trip and experienced its handing traits in crosswinds he almost turned around and aborted the trip. First time it happed to me I just about soiled myself. That kind of leaves a lasting impression.
You drive ’em slow. There’s a reason VW saw fit not to equip these with a powerful drive train.
There are two abandoned 23 window buses in the woods by my house. They’re been there for forty years.
For cryin out loud go get em………BF community project!
As I’ve said before, i think, I sold my cherry ’67 21 window with a complete Westphalia camper interior I put in from a wrecked ’66 Westphalia, for six grand. I thought I hit the lottery. Too bad I wasn’t clairvoyant and could see the ridiculous prices ( I know ..the market determines) to come. Ah well…….
Time to rescue them from the woods.
Where are they located Tom??
Go adopt them and pay off your house!
With that “powerhouse” lurking in the back of the vehicle and all those windows, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the view!
It looks nice but it depends how much of a stickler for details you are. It’s for starters I don’t think it’s an original color scheme for a 23 window. There’s no deluxe trim on the rocker panels, bumpers or air intakes, which there should be. There’s no luggage rails in the back either on the sides or rear hatch. The seats look they’re from a later model, no deluxe trim or rails on them. There’s no dash clock or a hole for one, which was standard on a 23 of this era. It’s also got either Beetle or 14 inch later wheels. The lack of pictures of the underneath is cause for concern. So, does it look pretty? Sure. Would 9 out of 10 people notice all the discrepancies, unlikely. If you were buying one as an investment I think you’d want it as correct as possible. This ain’t it.
On the plus side, the right-side headlamp bulge in the passenger compartment hasn’t been used as a footrest yet. Sometimes the paint is worn off to the steel from the passenger’s shoes.
Maybe JC Whitney made a cover for them. JCW had pages of VW accessories.
George, Utah ???? How about Saint ( St. ) George, Utah. We live here and we went to look at this VW Bus. NO we will not be interested unless the price was about 1/4th where it is now.
A beautiful van but like all VW buses inthe 1960-1970s speed was a problem with steep uphills and these vans. Downhill roads were always welcomed!
Jim
I had a ’62 23 window bus, I lived aboard in Hawaii for a few years, and traveled all over the Big Island. Cost me $1200 in ’69. I loved it, had to leave it behind when health issues sent me to the mainland.
If I wanted to personally go look at this 23 window, I think I better head to ST. George, Utah . . . not George, Utah.
No clock. Grab handle in the wrong position. Looks like it was converted into a 23-window. Not original.