1961 Volkswagen Bus

This 1961 Volkswagen Microbus is a Deluxe “Samba” example that was acquired in 2015 by the seller, who commissioned a four-year overhaul that included refinishing the exterior and underside, redoing the interior, adding a fabric sunroof, and installing a 1,915cc flat-four with dual Weber carburetors. Additional features include a replacement four-speed manual transmission, eight upper roof windows, three bench seats, a 12-volt electrical conversion, and a Wilwood four-wheel disc-brake conversion. This 23-window bus is now offered with the seller’s receipts and records, refurbishment photos, a Volkswagen Classic Parts certificate, and a clean California title in the seller’s name. The vehicle was delivered new in Sealing Wax Red (L53) with Beige Grey (L472) upper portions, and the seller states that it was refinished on a rotisserie in its factory color scheme with Silver White (L82) bumpers. Much of the steel bodywork was replaced and provisions for a sunroof were also adapted during this time. According to the M-code plate, the vehicle did not originally have windows in the roof. Additional work performed during the four-year overhaul included replacing the windows, chrome trim, weatherstripping, and seals. The sliding fabric sunroof is shown open and closed in the gallery below along with close-up photos of the paintwork and exterior trim. Body-color 15″ steel wheels wear VW-stamped hubcaps and are mounted with 5.60-15 Firestone Gum-Dipped whitewall tires. Wilwood disc brakes have been installed at each corner. The bus left the factory with a Blue Grey interior (77), which has been redone with new two-tone upholstery, door cards, and a German mohair headliner. The seller states that the wiring was also redone. The cabin features three rows of bench seats, and the rear pair are accessible through passenger-side cargo doors. Interior work reportedly was performed by West Coast Classic Restoration of Fullerton, California. A two-spoke steering wheel with a Wolfsburg-crest horn button sits ahead of a VDO 80-mph speedometer, and an analog VDO clock is located on the passenger side of the body-color dashboard. The odometer has been reset and shows approximately 5 miles, which reflects the distance driven by the seller; true chassis mileage is unknown. A replacement 1,915cc flat-four with dual Weber carburetors was installed by Paradise Motorsports of San Marcos, California. The electrical system has been converted to 12 volts. The vehicle was serviced in September 2020. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, and additional photos of the underside are presented in the gallery. The M-code plate provides the following production information: 05 09 0 – September 5, 1960 planned production date 378 – North American equipment, includes six pop-outs 130 – Deluxe Type 2 without sunroof and roof windows UH – Exported to Houston/San Antonio region of USA 241 – Microbus Deluxe; left-hand drive, cargo doors right, full middle seat BGR – Beige Grey and Sealing Wax Red exterior SR – Blue Grey interior 650694 – Vehicle chassis number A delivery-status certificate from Volkswagen Classic Parts indicates manufacturing and delivery dates, original equipment, and the color scheme. Photos toward the end of the gallery show the bus being overhauled, including metal and paintwork. A walk-around video tour showing the exterior, interior, and engine running and revving is provided below. Filed under: vw