The “Bay Window” Volkswagen Bus is another one of those vehicles that has developed a strong following in the classic community. They offer incredible versatility, and their mechanical configuration has made them virtually invincible. This 1971 Deluxe Bus is an original survivor, and it features enough seats to cater to the largest family. The original owner also ordered it with the factory sliding sunroof, which makes it a rare classic. The owner has decided that the time is right to part with the VW, so they have listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Sunnyvale, California, and is ready to be driven and enjoyed by its lucky new owner.

When I looked at the photos of this VW and was contemplating how to describe it, the word that kept popping into my head was “honest.” The owner admits that the previous owner treated the vehicle to a repaint in its original combination of Kansas Beige and Pastel White in the 1980s, and this still presents well today. It holds a shine that would manage to turn heads wherever the vehicle went, which is not a bad achievement for a paint job that is more than 30-years-old. The panels wear an assortment of minor dings and dents, but there’s nothing that would demand immediate attention. The buyer could choose to drive and enjoy the VW during the warmer months and then occupy the depths of next Winter, getting the panels straight again. There are also a couple of minor rust bubbles, but I would tackle them when I performed the minor dent repairs. It is worth noting that the Bus has spent its life in California, which means that rust is not something to be concerned about. The owner supplies photos of the vehicle’s underside, and it is as clean as you could ever hope to find. One of the greatest attractions of this Bus is the inclusion of the factory sliding sunroof. These were a relatively rare item, and it is becoming increasingly challenging to locate one today. The owner says that this one currently doesn’t operate and that it may require cables and servicing. Genuine replacement cables are no longer available, but some excellent reproduction components are available out in the market. The trim appears to be in good condition, and I can’t spot any problems with the vast expanses of glass.

The person who buys this Bus won’t need to expend a lot of time and effort on the interior, because it presents nicely. It has recently received new foam and covers on the front seats, while the rear seats look excellent. The remaining trim is spotlessly clean, as are the dash and floor mats. There is room to seat seven people in comfort, and there’s still space available to cart a significant amount of luggage. The dash houses a radio/cassette player, and there are speakers for this mounted in the doors. Otherwise, it all appears to be original and unmolested. One extra positive with this vehicle is that the heater works well. I’ve lost count of how many classic Volkswagens I’ve come across in my lifetime with ineffective heaters, so that’s a massive plus for any potential buyers residing in cooler climes.

The owner supplies no engine photos, but we know that the VW is powered by the “upright” dual-port air-cooled four with a capacity of 1,584cc. This would be producing around 60hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transaxle. Once again, the news here is very positive. The owner has recently performed a service on the vehicle, and it is said to run and drive exceptionally well. It appears that this two-owner classic has been treated with care and respect since it was new, and that means that with 91,000 miles on the clock, it could be considered to be barely broken in. It is also worth noting that the 1971 model year was the first where front disc brakes were standard fitment for the safety-conscious amongst you. This significantly improved emergency stopping distances and made extended descents less of an issue than might be expected with the old 4-wheel drum brakes. There’s nothing like tackling a long and twisting downhill run to the smell of cooking brake linings and a pedal that feels like you’re treading on a sponge. Neither of these problems should be an issue with this classic.

For many years, people ignored the Bay Window VW Bus in preference to its Split Window predecessor. That situation has changed, and we now find a situation where vehicles like this have become highly desirable. This has pushed values ever higher, and there’s no indication that this trend is set to change. These may not be the fastest people mover on the planet, but they are easy to maintain, notoriously bulletproof, and extraordinarily versatile. They also happen to be a blast to own and drive, and it is for those reasons, I believe that this one will find a new home pretty quickly. Could that home be yours?