1967 Volkswagen Bus Type 2

Description

We simply won't mince words, this 1967 Volkswagen Bus Type 2 is likely the nicest microbus we've ever had the privilege of featuring. And if you're at all familiar with Streetside Classics, then you probably know that we sell a lot of these iconic VWs, so we're not that easily impressed. But the moment this final-year Splittie rolled into our showroom with its wicked stance, high-end paint job, comfortable interior, and upgraded 1776cc air-cooled motor, we knew we had something special in our inventory. Freshly built and dressed-to-impress, this is the 11-Window to own if you enjoy leaving a trail of envy in your wake.

Iconic? You bet! Practical? Absolutely. And quite honestly, there's never been a Ferrari made that can attract a crowd like this amazing VW. It brings back great memories for older folks and it's been rediscovered by the younger folks too, so it has universal appeal and reverie, and the things that make it great are both traditional and modern. Traditionalists will love the unmodified body, which is pure VW practicality in an upright box, while the period-perfect Beige Gray over Titian Red paint scheme will fit right in at the next cruise night. During the comprehensive restoration of this Splittie, the paint and body were finished to an incredibly high level, nearly immaculate in all aspects with no imperfections to speak of. Nothing's perfect, so we'll give it a 9 out of 10 for that very fact, but we can all but promise that no microbus near this price point looks as good as this. The doors are fit with precision, the gaps are even throughout, and if you can somehow overlook the great shine and luster in our photos, you'll be able to easily spot our photographer in most of the shots. Reflections like that should tell you everything you need to know about the quality of this build. They didn't forget about the factory bling either, with shiny chrome bumpers fore and aft, gleaming brightwork around the windows and lights, and a punctuated VW emblem right on the nose. In short, this beauty was built right and there's simply no place this VW won't be welcome. You can't build style like this, you have to be born with it and with this VW, it's been honed to a razor-sharp edge.

The interior is very functional and very traditional at the same time. With 11 windows including the iconic 'Splitscreen' Safari windshield up front and Safari window in the rear, it's bright and airy inside, with two-tone Saddle upholstery throughout and light-colored parquet wood flooring in the back. The fresh tweed-style upholstery is durable enough be used on a school bus, and it's incredibly clean and unmarked, giving the interior a uniform look on the seats, door panels, headliner and rear cargo area. The no-nonsense white dash is pure VW, with a single gauge pod for the driver and minimal controls, although a couple aftermarket auxiliary units and Moon tachometer were added to provide more accurate information for the driver. The awesome upright steering wheel was restored and anchors the cockpit, and to sport things up a bit a Gene Berg shifter and foot-print pedals were added and they look appropriately groovy. In the rear seating area, you'll find a wooden table mounted on a chrome post that was made from an old-school surfboard, along with an upholstered stool that matches the cloth materials inside. And honestly, despite its diminutive size, who wouldn't want to spend a weekend hanging out here? Even the pull-out Z-bed rear seat and sleeping area in the back is inviting in its own minimalist way. And it's all fresh, beautifully restored and nicely detailed, with a lot of time and money invested in the final results.

The engine powering this Splittie is a relatively high-performance version of the Beetle's venerable flat-four. Displacing 1776 cc, it's big enough to provide some added punch without sacrificing reliability and with only 12,838 on the build, it breathes easy, fires on demand, and pulls strong, which means more power and reliability. Dual 40 EMPI HPMX carbs, a 100 cam, and an MST serpentine pulley system all help with power production and the engine bay is as neatly presented as the rest of the bus. An A-1 stainless-steel sidewinder exhaust system extracts every bit of horsepower from the little boxer engine and it has a great note that's instantly familiar and will bring a smile to your face. The underside is in very solid condition and with a Freeway Flyer Bus 4-speed manual transmission and upgraded front disc brakes, it is a lot of fun to drive. Vintage AEW Fuchs wide wheels look sporty and are wrapped with 155/60/15 front and 195/60/15 rear performance rubber for a smooth ride and a very cool finishing touch.

If you're a fan of VW buses, this final-year 1st generation Type 2 Splittie is the one to have. Beautifully restored and tastefully upgraded, it's an 11-window beauty that's ready to hit the road and see the world in style. Call today!