"Unlike most station wagons. Ours isn't long and low and sleek and beautiful. It's short and boxy and generally homely. It's that shape that helps it carry so much. Eight people with 35 cubic feet for luggage. Just sitting behind the wheel you'll notice that our Microbus is different. You're on top of everything that's going on around you. When you drive it, it works like a bus but handles and parks like a car." From the 1974 sales brochure.
For consignment, a 1974 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi bus with a title verified 13,706 actual miles in a bright hue with characteristic white top. Boxy, indeed. But homely? C'mon VW, we can't agree with that one. This thing is cool and if it was homely, we're not sure it would be this collectible!
Exterior The roof and nearly top third of the van is white with a straight line of delineation that encircles the entire vehicle and is picked up by the front white grille, bumpers, and 14-inch wheels which also wear polished VW dog dish style hubcaps. Engine intakes live on the upper rear corners of the van creating the only non flat feature in profile as there are no body creases, no side trim, and only the door hardware and gas cap to interrupt the flow of smooth orange panels. All of the metalwork is in very good condition and the rear vertical tail lights look especially good on an orange background. The paint is excellent, and imperfections include multiple areas of bubbling down low.
Interior Patterns of white, tan, and orange prevail through the interior beginning on the front door panels where the distinct vent is covered in orange vinyl surrounded by tan and white panels. This orange band that starts on the vent continues to the back where it appears in arched designs on the sidewalls and panels of the sliding door. The front bucket seats have pleated orange inserts surrounded by white vinyl on a tan base and that pattern is consistent for the two bench seats in back as well in well coordinated presentation that adds pizazz to this family cruiser. There's the occasional discoloration on the lighter colors but everything is intact and clean and orange seatbelts kick things up a notch. A standard steering wheel and dash greet the driver, dominated by black plastic surfaces, a very basic gauge cluster, airplane like vent controls, and an AM/FM radio in the center. This part of the van shows some patina as does the shifter which rises from the floor. Here we find orange loop carpet with tan edge trim. The white headliner, though marked in some spots, is otherwise clean and intact while the cargo is clean and finished with more orange and white vinyl and loop carpet.
Drivetrain Behind the rear hatch is a clean 1600cc engine rated at 66 horsepower, fed by a 1-barrel carburetor and moved into action via a 4-speed manual transmission that keeps power at the rear wheels and 4.857 gears. Power brakes are supplied with discs in front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage Driver quality underneath with oil present on the bottom of engine and transmission, some minor surface rust, and a pan in the back that replaces a rusted out panel underneath. The boots look good as does the vent tube that runs underneath the van and the knuckles are very clean. Transverse torsion bars provide suspension up front and semi-trailing arms with transverse torsion bars are in back. The exhaust exits from each side of the engine, encounters a pair of stock style mufflers, and then exits via twin chrome tips under the rear bumper.
Drive-Ability Feeling groovy, we hop up into the cab of this van which puts you right up front, a unique and unusual position which takes about 30 seconds to get used to because it's actually pretty cool. You will not be doing any orange burnouts with this box, but it scoots along and picks up speed with each consecutive shift and before you know it, you're up to speed. It runs fine and tracks straight and we check out notes to find just three things not working, the heater blower, the reverse lights, and the high beams. All other functions operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Like the ubiquitous presence of pumpkin spice at this time of the year, this orange dream shows up to grace our Hallowed Halls and presents itself to the market. And the VW bus market remains very strong and people are drawn to them like moths to a flame at car shows, for good reason. They're unique, useful, versatile, and forever cool. It doesn't get much cooler than this creamsicle colored van with its stylish interior. Make the call before this one melts away.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
