21-window VW Buses show no sign of slowing down value-wise anytime soon. Similar to the 911 and 356 market cooling to just the best / rarest models going the distance at auction, Buses like this one have begun to put some space between them and their lesser-window’d siblings. This 1964 example here on eBay needs complete restoration, but it’s still more complete than others we’ve seen restored. Bidding is over $6K with no reserve.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader David F. for the find. The Type 2 seen here certainly spent many years being a tired, used van of little value or consequence to the outside world. Clearly harvested for parts from its interior along with what was left of any sound sheetmetal, you can bet those who bought these buses when they were new are shocked to see projects like these fetching good money at auction. The floors are shot and the body appears to be held together with dried Woodstock mud.
In the cabin, the rear rows of seats are a valuable commodity; those are gone. The floors need serious work, door panels are AWOL, the dash is coated in surface rust and weather stripping has become one with the Earth. The seller is not hiding anything – in fact, he notes, “Yes, it is extremely rusty. Needs frame rails and every other parts that attach to them!” But given the price of a restored Bus, there’s an isolated chance you could sort this one back to running/driving condition and still be under the cost to buy a fully restored 21-window “Deluxe” Bus.
The interior was clearly used for parts storage for many years, along with capturing plenty of rainwater through the exposed window frames along the roof line. The seller exclaims, “This one has all matching numbers still mounted in it too!”, but I don’t see an engine still tucked behind the rear engine lid. Perhaps it’s somewhere on the property, as he notes that he has a “…locked up stock transaxle” that will be included. Either way, I’m sure this will sell for far more than we expect. Any guesses on the final number?
Fist of all you’d have to be insane to pay more than $100.00 for this junk pile. I think the only value here is the roof, I’d cut it off and move it to a differant windowed van that has just a solid unwindowed roof. The rest of it is junk these things were so gutless they couldn’t get out of there own way. JMO
I read a recent auction report where the editor quipped about whether those people paying $100K for a VW Bus have ever actually spent any time driving one. Sure, if you’re into it, it’s fun – but if it’s just another expensive toy, you’re going to be disappointed the first time behind the wheel.
My theory is that a lot of folks who back in the day looked down their nose at “hippies” driving bussess are now busting their not insubstantial guts to own them. That they would pay such absurd prices is all the sweeter. I have a set of roof windows from a 1967 that I would be willing to part with for ten thousand dollars. OEM ! The buyer of this hulk will need them.
I know of one of these that’s being done by the same shop that just painted a car for me. The VW van was in way better shape than this one and actually had all of its metal, just needing a lot of small dents taken out. That’s not easy with a vehicle that has large, flat panels—unless you use filler, which will degrade the bus and make it worth less on the market.
The cost—so far, with paint still to be done: $25K.
I always say…..drive a vehicle you are interested in but haven’t yet driven if you think you might want to own one.
Jeff is right—-these are totally underwhelming if not downright dangerous on the road, and that’s being kind. If there’s a crosswind and then you come to a long grade you will experience the two biggest problems with these busses—-a high stance and large surface area that catches the wind bigtime, and 40 HP.
Then there’s the fact that the only thing between you and what’s in front of you is a piece of sheetmetal….about 1 foot in front of you.
Good call on using the roof.I was thinking the same thing but can you find the needed windows??
Read Mountainwoodies’ comment.
Not knowing anything, other than selling a regular one for $400 or so back in ’93 for a friend, I would think you would want to keep the side doors and cut below the windows as I think you would need the rear windows too, then scrounge the VIN’s from this would be the way to go. Seems like one could find a decent body for the transplant and be miles ahead that way rather than patching this one together again. Would be curious to hear what someone that knows what they are doing thinks – but guessing they might keep that information to themselves. You might even make some $$ on this.
Judging by the ones I’ve seen recently I’ll bet it sells for $10,000 to $12,000.00.
The condition is very common for a starting point early bus.
One of these resided in a driveway in the town where I went to college. It was the late ’80’s, and I went by it frequently. It was in not-much-better shape than this one. I liked it, but never gave it much more than a second thought. That bus, and a complete “Machine” I once happened across in a junkyard – My two Great Lost Investment Opportunities.
Bought a 23 window version of these back in the 1980’s. Far from perfect, but ran and drove fine. Sold it 2 years later when I moved and couldn’t take it with me. Pretty excited to double me money. How much? Bought for $250, sold for $500. Sigh…
The actuarial tables say that $500 in 1980 was worth about $1,600 in 2018.
Yeah, your buyer got a really good deal.
This another of those crazy fads, and I’m sure these people that spend hundreds of thousands on these (a recent restored 23 window sold at B-J for $217,800, that’s what someone spent almost a 1/4 mil on?) quickly find out how inept they are for today’s roads. I remember riding in these with a bunch of friends in a head wind, and the driver couldn’t use 4th gear. I suppose it can sit in the corner of their garage, and look nice, like all the other classics.
I just cannot wrap my head around paying more than a few dollars for scrap like this. Nor that the complete, restored 21/23 window variants are trading well over the $100k mark.
Then there’s this one …
https://jalopnik.com/5815611/this-is-what-a-217800-1965-volkswagen-bus-looks-like
when done – out on nice days. Hope they put the snap-dwn rag top on it as well.
My nephew recently finished “restoring” a split windshield bus. New floors and basic painting in code colors. Made it run. Nothing finished inside…and SOLD for 30K.
Silly question…with new 34 Ford, Tri-5 Chevies, 69 Camaros and Sprites/Midgets being repopped in metal for the nostalgia crowd (just the first ones that come to my mind), why hasn’t someone started reproducing entire Kombi body shells?
Yet another vehicle that people wonder why on earth they’re selling for crazy, insane money. It’s happened, it’s still happening, so just embrace it. Maybe they’ll still keep b!tching about the prices until the bus market takes a nose dive and then they can climb the highest mountain top to proclaim “see, I told you these things were worth nothing!”
I don’t think people buy these to drive around in. Perhaps the odd to with kids or grandkids to the corner market but certainly not a summer weekend cruiser. No siree, these are gen-u-ine, bo-na-fide, investments and will continue to be until everyone who wants one has one. And then they will be just like Harley’s.
A pipe dream by the looks of it. Wait until the buyer try’s buying simple stuff like rear view mirrors or a correct steering wheel! Those upper “missing” windows by Sekurit in useable shape can be wallet lightening. Body panels? Only the 23 window and Westfalia were more expensive to restore in all aspects. Many times you’d need 3-5 carcasses to steal parts from to get one running. $6K parts car this is.
So we’re all sore we didn’t hoard a dozen or so plus a couple 3 dozen 356 variations & same on the 911 ? Thought so.
There appears to be a 23 window sitting beside it in the first pic?
Folks in my town had a 21 for years that was bought new by the gals father. Forget the year. Occasionally would ask about what they would ultimately do w/it, but was told it would go to the “kids”. It was unfortunately t-boned on the drivers side (better than passenger side, I guess?) a few years back & poorly repaired. Could be undone & fixed properly, but the original finish was gone. They continued to drive it for a few more years until eventually selling it, cheaply @ the time, I’m sure. Had they known & had we still been neighbors @ the time! Always made me sick to my stomach to see it after the “repairs”! Prior to that it was 100% original survivor. Sad! Still see the folks from time to time. Maybe I’ll try & track it down, ’cause I need another project like I need a……!!??