I just watched a video where a 21-window Volkswagen Samba was removed from the woods in pieces, a result of having been left exposed to New Hampshire winters for many decades. The point in watching was that these old Buses are still so sought after that removing the rust-chewed roof and side panels was a worthwhile effort, as someone restoring one of these now-priceless transporters will snatch up the spare body parts. Thankfully, if you don’t obsess over window count, you can still buy a decent Bus like this 1967 split-window model. Check out this 1967 VW Bus here on eBay with bids to $14,300 and no reserve.
The love of old VW Buses (or Sambas, or Type 2s, or whatever you want to call them) is rooted in nostalgia as much as it is peer pressure. The nostalgia factor is obvious, considering many folks of a certain age (and perhaps even a surprising number of enthusiasts in much younger quadrants) can recall a fond summer memory by the beach or a multi-week road trip attempted in a vehicle like this. That along will drive values up, at least until the afflicted owner remembers what it’s like to drive something with less than 100 horsepower.
Personally, I don’t believe these Buses are worth some of the prices they’re commanding. I also believe we’re going to see some level-setting in this market as the overall classic car index continues to cool. Vintage VW Buses are one of those models that got a healthy “pandemic boost” by folks who were bored, looking to travel, or both. The good news is that if you can find one of these at a reasonable purchase price, they still make good investments for flipping – especially with a fresh interior, roof rack, and plenty of patina (real or otherwise).
The interior is in very nice shape on this Bus but it’s hard to tell whether it’s original or redone a few years back (my money is on the latter). The camper-converted Buses are certainly far cooler inside with their dining and sleeping accommodations, but you can recreate that experience for far less than the cost of buying a proper Westfalia model. This ’67 has the right look with its roof rack and ladder, and seems like a smart buy at anything under $20,000.
I know what mom said, don’t gloat, but, I’m sorry, mom isn’t here and if you listen carefully, you can actually hear the air escaping from the 6 figure balloon prices of yore. On TV auction, a couple came through, now these were COMMANDING 6 figures just not too long ago, now, VERY low 5 figures, if that. Wha’ happint? Like all these flash in the pans, oh it looks so cute, Henry, almost chic, the club will love it,,until they actually take it on probably the most harrowing ride of their lives in the wind. A death grip on the passenger grab handle, I bet. Not so much fun now, eh? I doubt those folks will miss the $85grand they might lose, but I just have to say, I told you so. 6 figure Mopars are next.
The 6 figure buses are different models than this one and also with different levels of restoration. They haven’t dropped from $100k to $15k and likely won’t for a while if ever. One recent sale I saw for $212k had a $250k restoration cost. The bottom line is that dollars have been printed making each dollar worth less therefore more overall dollars are needed for the same asset. This is inflation. The dollar cost of renovation has risen, rent, materials, etc and there are also less and less tradespeople skilled in restoration. So don’t expect prices to collapse, especially down 85%. Not gonna happen
I think these are really cool and I do have a love and appreciation for classic air-cooled VW’s. However to drive one of these can be a challenge with 50HP on a good day. My friend has a friend who installed a Prius powertrain into his 60’s bus. Brilliant guy with the knowledge to make all the electronics work. His first long distance roadtrip was cut short when he encountered strong crosswinds on the interstate. Now he is trying to reengineer the front suspension to make this thing somewhat practical to drive.
For me these are best appreciated standing still or driving in an urban environment. My hats off to someone who is willing to drive one of these on long distance journeys.
The friend of a friend should check out wagonswest.com for suspension mods.
The biggest challenge to driving most stock old cars on a road trip is getting un used to driving a newish car with way more power and weight. Leave some space between you and the car in front of you, realize that most everyone can and will pass you, smile and wave when you become a freeway photo op.
I experienced that. Bought a 69. Drove it in and around the Detroit area.
Moved to Wisconsin, and the first time I drove out in the country decided to trade it.
It was understandable that those 23 window buses would be a nostalgia buy for ex hippie techies who hit it big, but as those guys head off to the sunset, the reality of the value will begin to show. For a generation that has no living memory of the summer of love, I don’t think they would choose to spend their money on this unattractive van rather than a down payment on a home.
Drove one from Lake Forest, Illinois to Milwaukee in the fall of 1965, fully loaded with 8 people. Midwest wind made it a challenge to stay on the highway at 55 mph. Not a fun drive avoiding a roll-over with a full load of folks. Nostalgia is one thing; practical utility another.
I grew up driving in a 67 Bus with my 7 siblings from Peoria to Panama City Florida for Easter vacations (yes, plural) in the early 70’s. Of all the fond memories of those travels, driving to and from was not one. It was practical transportation for our large family and the nostalgia factor is high, but beyond that, these are a “Cars and Coffee” vehicle. Anyone contemplating reliving their “Summer of Love” and traveling back to Haight-Ashbury in one of these should perhaps be sent to a memory care facility!
I had a 67 Westphalia. While it’s true I was much younger at the time, it was my daily driver. I commuted 45 minutes each way. We also drove it all over the place on short and long trips. It wasn’t fast and any long or steep hill was third gear but it was a blast to drive. Strong winds were also a challenge. Even with it’s “short comings” it was a great vehicle and when judging it by the standards of the time more than adequate. I would love to have another as my hobby car.
When properly maintained (which a lot of people didn’t do) they are great vehicles. It never let me down over the many years I had it and the over 100,000 miles I drove it. I only sold it because I wanted the 67 Bug I still have and couldn’t have both.
I had a ’61 in high school. Looking dwn from the driver’s seat you could see the road underneath. NH salted roads. Back then cars had to be inspected twice a year if I remember correctly. This bus would have never passed, so I made up my own inspection stickers from colored construction paper and was able to drive it to and from school and work for a couple years.
These are great drivers, you just can’t be in a hurry. Driving an old VW is very similar to driving an old truck. You’re intimately involved with the experience, which tends to make going from point A to point B both peaceful and rewarding.
I will forever think fondly of the 60s microbus. Good friend had and still has a 64 23 window bus. In 1973 I ate about 6 grams of hulucinogenic mushrooms and had what amounted to a full on Kundalini experience that lasted several hours, in that same bus! I was admittedly changed for life and without explanation was able to speak fluent Nez Perce soon there after.
I still can’t believe these things sell for such high amounts they’re not well built from the factory. But nostalgia commands a price.
Hallucinogenic, that is ..
Ahh, the Type 2s were just a natural part of life for many years. A first adventure, driving from New England to go “out west” in a 1963 rust special. We ended up in Tucson, met new friends, drove to Boise to meet old friends. My wife got a small inheritance and we had a local body shop bondo up the rust and paint the bottom half Plum Crazy. Returned to CT to reset and upgraded from the 1963 to a 1971: single windshield, dual ported engine and…power disc brakes! We built interior furniture, a bench that turned in to a bed, and more. Good times, simpler times too.
Ahh, the Type 2s were just a natural part of life for many years. A first adventure, driving from New England to go “out west” in a 1963 rust special. We ended up in Tucson, met new friends, drove to Boise to meet old friends. My wife got a small inheritance and we had a local body shop bondo up the rust and paint the bottom half Plum Crazy. Returned to CT to reset and upgraded from the 1963 to a 1971: single windshield, dual ported engine and…power disc brakes! We built interior furniture, a bench that turned in to a bed, and more. Good times, simpler times too.
This is one of those rare instances where all the comments, both pro and con, are absolutely right on (’60s expression intentional). A midsummer’s drive from Whitmore Lake to Okemos primarily on M36 through the bucolic Michigan countryside will forever be etched in my memory. A sunny afternoon, windows down, no one but me and the Tan Van tooling along.
Since then I’ve owned a couple of MGBs, an Rx7, a Mustang and two Corvettes, among others. But that drive still ranks as a peak experience.
Even without the mushrooms…
I’d rather stick with my 80 horsepower Corvair 95 Van. With a 4 speed it has a little more get up and go. And the stability on the highway is increased by a wider stance, radial 60 series tires, and a low center of gravity. While I’m not effected by crosswinds much, I do get what’s called the “porpoise” effect in the front if the winds pick up on a stretch of highway at 65 mph. This can be corrected with an aftermarket air dam under the front bumper.
I have a 1970 vw t2 not finished with the wiring.
Put in a 2110 cc stoker 2 barrel
Took off all.parts that was original ,even if it worked. Put in new German parts just to be safe. We travel in the mountains in N.C. wanted that engine so I don’t have to floor the gas.Not to go fast. Just a bus that’s not struggling. to go up hills. Hope I like it when it’s finished 🙏 wiring.
Yeah had one. It was very practical with 4 children and 2 dogs. Would I have another, no. There was no real competition back then.
Great old bus, and great patina ! Brings back so many memories.
When we visited my uncle in Germany in 74, he let us borrow his Type 2 to go wandering around the countryside. We were driving on the Autobahn – briefly- out of Schweinfurt. After a strong gust of wind almost blew us out of the slow lane into the next lane, my dad (the safest and most experienced driver I ever knew) moved off the Autobahn and onto a secondary road. Which bummed me out as a kid because hey, finally riding on the Autobahn! No speed limit! In a car that barely did 60 miles an hour! 🤣
Oh the memories of type 2’s. A 63 that blew the motor, put a 1500cc, converted to 12 volts, cut the wheel wells out and installed farm implement tires, fun. A new 1974 and new 1977. Then a 1971, cut wheel wells again and put M/T off-road tires with Billstein shocks, handled great. And finally picked up a 1979 Westy with a blown motor, had it rebuilt and drove from CA to FL and then my age stepped in. Those winds geez, I had forgotten. So restored it and sold it in one day for 5K more than I paid for it. Like you say, fun memories but time wises us up.
Having grown up with a ’77 model, I definitely speak with rose tinted glasses. And you do have to have a realistic expectation of what you’re getting into, especially with performance and safety. Most of them in stock form save for the later bay windows and Vanagons are just not peppy enough for modern driving. But besides the cool factor, that ’77 was a nice car to have around. Roomy enough for the odd times you need to haul odd things, 4’x8′ plywood, 12′ boards, appliances, you name it. A big part of my nostalgia for that bus is how useful it was. Hoping to inherit it one day and continue to use it for camping and odd jobs.