• Highly desirable “21-Window” bus with “Samba” canvas roof
• Powered by 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed transmission
• Well-appointed deluxe trim: six pop-out side windows, short middle seat, and seat belts
• Finished in blue and white over a parchment interior
• The ideal beach cruiser

In March of 1950, Volkswagen introduced the Type 2 Microbus as a follow up to their hugely successful first production model, the well-loved Type 1 Beetle. Originally designed with the commercial market in mind, the Type 2—known variously as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus—was built in a wide range of body styles, with each offering an innovative way to transport cargo and passengers in a convenient, car-sized package. Key to this was its “forward control” layout, which placed the driver over the front wheels. Though not necessarily the first to use such a format, the Volkswagen Type 2 helped popularize it.

The Type 2’s rear-drive, rear-engine chassis was derived from the Beetle, along with its horizontally opposed air-cooled four-cylinder engine. Styles included various commercial-oriented panel vans and flat-bed pickups. But perhaps the most iconic version is the passenger-oriented Microbus Deluxe, or Samba, featuring a quaint pop-out split windshield and eight large skylight windows flanking a retractable fabric roof. The first-generation Type 2s were produced from 1951 through the end of 1967, with earlier versions of the Microbus Deluxe having been dubbed “23-Window” models accounting for all of the window panes present. A wider rear door incorporated in 1964 necessitated removing the two curved, rear-corner windows, thus originating the moniker “21-Window” that applies to this last iteration of first-generation Microbus production.

This seven-seater example was manufactured in May of 1964 and exported from Germany to the San Francisco Port. It left the factory finished in two-tone Turquoise and Blue-White with a Como Green interior. The M-plate, or trim tag, indicates the following features were included from the factory: seat belts and mounting points, six pop-out side windows, cargo doors right, short middle seat, US-specification bumpers, and synthetic resin paint finish.

Purchased by the seller in 2006, this beautifully presented bus now sports a blue and white exterior paint scheme over a parchment interior. This respray is believed to have occurred roughly 25 years ago, and since then, the bus has been well cared-for. Out back, the original engine has been replaced by a larger unit displacing 1.7 liters, a feature that will no doubt aid in traversing steep uphill grades. This Volkswagen further features suite of modern speakers installed in cabinets under the seats.

Nicely cared-for and effortlessly stylish, this Deluxe Bus is an ideal beach cruiser well suited for hauling all of your friends.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az22.