One trend that I thought for sure would have been replaced by now with something even more ridiculous is the habit of dragging old Type 2 Volkswagen Buses out of the woods / swamps / ravines / etc. and attempting to bring them back to life. In a way, I’m fine if this continues to happen, as it makes my questionable decisions seem downright rational. This 1959 model was previously used by Bell Canada as a service truck, and then later in life as a rolling cantina. Now it needs total restoration and is listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $2,100 and no takers yet.
There’s also a Buy-It-Now of $2,730, which doesn’t seem too crazy, but keep in mind: just a few years ago, you’d pay someone $500 to remove this from your property. Buses like these, rust and all, are loaded with stories in terms of how they were used and what the “builder” envisioned when they converted the Bus for yet another purpose. The seller is either being coy or just plain doesn’t know much about the Bus, as the details are pretty sparse in the listing. Check out that paint job – do you remember seeing this Bus parked somewhere?
In terms of how it was last used, the previous owner of this Bus was a pioneer of sorts. A “rolling cantina” is just a fancy way of saying food truck, which obviously is a trend that’s taken the culinary world by storm. Although it’s unlikely, perhaps there’s a food entrepreneur out there who wants to own a rolling restaurant that will stand out among the throngs of Internationals and Chevys lining the block. No matter what you’re serving, I’m confident this Bus would draw a crowd.
Of course, there will be a fair amount of work necessary before you’re tooling around the block. Of course, there’s no drivetrain. But the seller also explains that you will need a new frame, too, in addition to an engine. The seller notes the dashboard remains in perfect condition, and that the Bus still has its original cluster. The question is, would you restore it back to the “Cantina” spec or a sympathetic replica of a Bell Phone service truck?
Nope. Take that Buy-It-Now amount in cash and invest it in…anything else.
Excitement for the new EV version VW will produce in the future is going to make these drop in value precipitously.
Restoration is the wrong word. It’s Reincarnation. Gets the second “you’ve got to be kidding” award for October.
Sorry, but without the trailer, this isn’t a “rolling” anything.
Yes! This looks like a sure bet for a prop in a movie….
“Escape From New York” Part II
And it would probably fall apart if it weren’t for the straps holding it together.
Like old type 2 but this is probably beyond hope of ever running again.But a lot of money and time might bring it back.
“Opening bid of $2,100. and no takers yet”.
Uh, there’s a good reason for that. The seller has dreams of cutting a fat hog on this pile of rust. There isn’t enough of this left to salvage. I don’t see $2. worth in this pile.
Does this offering mean that restoration of old vehicles is officially in “asset bubble” status?
“…the dashboard remains in perfect condition”. Good one…
There isn’t even a vin tag of value on this pile of rust. Some people are dumbbb
Perhaps it’s a back-door effort to actually advertise the bus in the background. By starting with that minimum bid it would seem he has no intention of disposing of this one………
$2,100? Seriously? Perhaps they mean they will pay someone $2,100 to haul it away.
Someone is still high on those wacky cigarettes from the ’60s.
There’s about $125-$150 in recyclable steel here. Not much more.
And we didn’t get a pic of the perfect dashboard …!
Picture #12 in the E-Bay ad shows the “perfect dash”.
Would work for “yard art”.
Rolling????? There is nothing rolling here.
You’re basically buying a vin tag. Maybe.
$3380 ( Canadian) to buy it now I need to contact the owners of this former hippy wagon and see if they are willing to share what ever it is they are smoking because it must be some good stuff
Give it a couple of months, maybe 36 or 48, and will be Barrett-Jackson ready to haul down some BIG BUCKS. Especially if it’s done up as a rolling Cantina. $2730 buy it now, AYFKM ?
That looks like it would be great for target practice.
It’s last day on the road was the same day they took “FlamingTaco” off the menu…
The only possible use for this thing is as a parts carcass , not parts car, carcass. Looks picked clean in any event.
No bids yet?…………….WHAT??
Put it back in the swamp! RIP.
If sold as a parts car only, I doubt that there are any usable parts anywhere on the bus….. not even the dash that is visible on the eBay ad. “Maybe” you can save the steering wheel ?? 🙄
Hippy lawn art
Love the patina!!! Would drive “as is”, er I mean sit in.
I thought grave robbing was illegal
“that’ll buff right out…”
The $2100 . opening bid is what they would pay to hall it off. The Buy it now for 2730 is what they will give you if you take it today.
OK Guys, After looking at the pictures, I am on my way to Urgent Care for a tetanus shot!
There’s not enough metal left to make a razor blade.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It says on Ebay
Condition:Used
“Need a new frame, need rear drivetrain and engine”
AND everything else !!!!!
I had to check the date thinking it must be April 1st.
Buy it now should read ,
‘crush it now’
Been working for/with/in VW for 45 years…
This proves people will buy anything….
Just list the vin plate…..
That’s all people want……
The actual bus is pre decomposable land fill
And you get a title for what?
The vin plate is what the title good for.
Chassis serial numbers are a stamping away
Really?
No comment, comment
rotflmao
The sale prices of these things amaze me. They basically amount to a tin box with a drivetrain and some lawn chairs bolted to the floor. A friend’s dad had one when we were kids in the ‘70s. It was so slow that a headwind would noticeably slow it down. I was amazed when I’d see one on the freeway straining to maintain 60 mph on hills. It’s interesting to me to see hopelessly destroyed examples like this get restored, and I’m glad someone saves them, but the price bubble on these will burst, and prices will probably settle to a level slightly above an early Beetle or Ghia in comparable shape.
My dad had a habit of buying these in the 70’s and that has forever left the impressive on me that these are worthless vehicles. He would have to plan drives carefully to avoid any hills so he would not be stuck. It would look very strange to have me and my three brothers all under 12 years old pushing it up hills.