Classic 1962 VW Van (let's watch this auction!)

[tx2sturgis]

Hooboy this is some serious and fun eye candy! Let's watch this auction and see what she goes for....as of this posting the price is already at 52 grand! Auction ends Wednesday morning, 25 August.

https://www.freedomcarauctions.com/auctions/7907/lot/799-1962-Volkswagen--23-Window-Samba-Bus

 

[bullfrog]

Custom Coachworks in Grand Junction Colorado a few years back quoted me $100,000 for one of their builds and had a waiting list.

 

[gsfish]

I lived in a 62' for three months back in 75'. Just the basics, like a metal tent. Mine only had half the number of windows. I saw a nice one like this back in the 70's for $1,200, mine, not so nice for $250.

I surprised a 4WD driver by being out in the sticks in Arizona. Pretty good ground clearance with the reduction gears in the back axles. Low 1st gear and good traction with the engine in the rear.

Probably one of the most dangerous vehicles ever produced? I laid mine over. Wrecker righted it, I added a couple quarts of oil and water in the battery and continued on my way.

Guy

 

[tx2sturgis]

I know the word 'van' probably should be the word 'bus'...but oh well...my bad.

To me, the thing looks like a van.

 

[nature lover]

It reminds me of me. Old, beautiful, and expensive. I do like VW buses, I regret selling mine years ago.

 

[PeterPiper]

THE Original 'Minivan" vehicle?
That is just beautiful. If money was no obstacle.

Traveled to Bahia Hionda in a 71 VW "Bus" back in the 80's from Tennessee....in January.
Fun trip....it was in the 20's and 30's into south Georgia and low 80's at Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys that winter on those days I went.

Nearly froze my butt off on the way back. Those busses were not well equipped for the cold unless they had the gas heater. Still, a great time.

 

[bullfrog]

I don't regret selling mine, and I had several. Air cooled VW's in their stock form were no match for modern water cooled engines especially in the southwest with todays hotter temps. Oil pressure would disappear at idle with 30 weight oil on 100 degree days. Cleaning oil bath air cleaners and screens was dirty and messy. Adjusting valves, ignition points and changing spark plugs often was not fun. Todays fuel causes problems in older unimproved carbs. Replacement/rebuild parts if cheap are of poor quality and if high quality expensive. If I remember correctly my first bus was governed at 58 MPH and had a single brake master cylinder reservoir which once caused a total brake failure, thankfully the emergency brake and downshifting got it stopped. It was rated at and would carry 1 ton just very slowly. I did scrape ice off the inside of the windshield often. I could go on for years but I will say it was repairable and never failed to get me where I needed to go eventually, and when less than 20 years old was extremely cheap to drive as in less than most vehicles I have owned.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I suspect that whoever buys this for whatever amount, probably won't be using it as a 'daily driver'. 

Parades, car shows, maybe the occasional Sunday drive to Dairy Queen or the Sonic Drive-in.

It's way too valuable to risk theft, vandalism, or a crash, so it's probably gonna be parked in a nice climate-controlled garage somewhere, and only driven every other weekend in nice weather.

That would be my guess....but who really knows?

 

[tx2sturgis]

Bidding up to $58,000...


https://www.freedomcarauctions.com/auctions/7907/lot/799-1962-Volkswagen--23-Window-Samba-Bus

 

[wayne49]

I believe the vehicle was originally called a Microbus by VW.

Hemmings for 1962 VW does not show "Bus" as a selection under Model.

For $29,995 negotiable, a 1972 Volkswagen Microbus Sportmobile (pop top camper van) is available in Nevada.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/volkswagen/microbus/2448374.html

"Well kept by the previous owner - a BIG hit at all the car shows!"

Nothing to say about its appeal for dispersed or stealth camping.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Yeah, microbus....and I like that one!

I camped near a similar one back a few years ago...

My van was the white Ford E-250, they were camped fairly close by:

 

[bullfrog]

The sloped roof older design makes a better pigeon hunting blind! Lol!!!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Bidding complete at $65,000.

Wowsers. 

Then the buyer will have to pay a 15% buyers premium and (presumably) Texas vehicle sales tax. Right at 80 grand!

Somebody REALLY wanted this VW microbus.