1967 Vw 21 Window Sunroof Deluxe Type Ii Bus Volkswagen Samba on 2040-cars

1967 VOLKSWAGEN 21-WINDOW DELUXE MICROBUS

The last of the breed! 1967 was the last production year for the “split-screen” Type II Volkswagens. This is the very desirable and collectible “top-of-the-line” Type II; the 21-Window Sunroof Deluxe Microbus in Cumulus White over Sea Blue – AND it’s a walk-through! This is NOT a replica, grafted roof or hack job. It is a bona fide early-production 1967 Deluxe bus.

Prior to my ownership, this bus was owned by my friend and neighbor (also an avid VW enthusiast) for over 16 years. He purchased it in un-restored, original condition. It had some rust in the typical areas; the rockers, parts of the cabin floor and the battery tray area. Just after he purchased it, the welding was done and the right cargo door was replaced, then, it was repainted the original color, Sea Blue, from the beltline down. While some of the Cumulus White paint was redone around the windshield, nose and right cargo door, the entire roof and much of the white from the beltline up is the original paint. There are a couple of scratches on the roof from long ago. The sliding roof is original and has a small tear, as well as some wearing through in a couple of spots from decades of use, but it's the original material. It operates smoothly and easily, as it should. The headliner (including the sliding top headliner material) is 100% original.

All interior panels are the original, Aero Papyrus material, which is not available in reproduction form. It still has the original spare tire cover, though it has a tear. The side kick-panel for the correct two-thirds middle seat is missing. All the mats, both front and back rubber mats, as well as the sisal mat in the cargo area are original to the bus. The fuel gauge, wipers, lights, signals, and flashers work perfectly. The clock was working until recently (contacts probably just need cleaning). I have not tried to use the washer bottle, but the setup is all there and in very good condition. It still has the original 12 volt sticker on the dash. The glass is all original. The passenger windshield has a “baseball” crack, but the previous owner was waiting to find a correctly marked replacement. This is a December '66 bus, so it doesn’t have backup lights and has the ’66-style radio knobs. Otherwise, it exhibits all the '67, one-year-only, bus characteristics, 12v, etc. The seats were redone years ago using Lenny Copp, West Coast Classic seat covers, which are still in very good condition. The pop-outs were removed, frames resprayed Cumulus White and all new rubber was installed last year.

A fresh single-port 1600 engine was rebuilt and installed by Jeff Leininger of Jeff's Bug Shop, Houston, in 2006. It currently has approximately 10,000 miles since the rebuild. It runs very well and has been as reliable as a Swiss watch. At about the same time, the brakes, master cylinder, drums, wheel bearings, tie rods, and other suspension components were rebuilt or replaced. It has a fairly fresh set of tires (fronts 2013, rears 2012). It has a fresh battery, generator and regulator. The prior owner has driven it, along with his family, to Bulli Brigade (annual national VW event in St. Petersburg, FL) regularly since 2006, including last November without incident.

This is certainly a bus worthy of car shows, but it is not concourse – and wasn’t intended to be. You can find those, freshly so-called “restored” which may or may not be correct, but it’s quite a challenge to find an ORIGINAL 21-window deluxe in this condition. This bus is very original, except for the rust repairs and lower body repaint 15+ years ago. It is a very nice, solid example of one that has been well cared for by two avid VW enthusiasts for more than a decade and a half! Since the rocker panels and dog-legs were replaced over fifteen years ago, along with the underside being media blasted to remove any surface rust, then coated with POR-15, no rust has since bubbled through and there is no evidence of any rust issues.

The guiding philosophy during my and the previous owner’s ownership was to leave this bus as untouched and original as possible, knowing and appreciating that they are only original ONCE! Except for fixing things as needed to keep the body, interior and running gear in tip-top shape, that philosophy has been honored. To that end, one could hop inside and drive anywhere with confidence.

This bus will not disappoint!!

(Note: Some of the photos do not show the 2/3 middle seat. It was only removed for the photo so it would not obstruct. It IS shown in one photo as it currently installed. This is the proper "1967-only" 2/3 middle seat with the '67-only ashtray on the back of it and IT IS INCLUDED in the sale!)

 Please note that this vehicle is listed for sale elsewhere. Therefore, I reserve the right to cancel bids and end this eBay listing early if the vehicle sells through those efforts and the reserve amount has not yet been met.