. . . on eBay . . .
. . . Beautiful, stock, very complete, and fully turnkey 23 Window in original Sealing Wax Red and Light Beige Grey paint. This is another one that will suit the original condition lovers, preservationists, and patina crowd. If you look at this Bus and are thinking "hmm, great looking base Bus for restoration", you'll need to move along as your intentions are to the detriment of how well this Bus has survived the last 51 years. Plainly and simply, Buses like this don't show up often any more and preserving its original beauty ought to be the unspoken reflex of any potential buyer.
The 23 Window Microbus Deluxe Sunroof was purchased new at the Nathan B. Tucker Volkswagen dealership in Beverly, Massachusetts by Mr. Cornelius Crane and his family. The original Tucker dealership shift pattern decal still attached on the dash! The family used it on their nearby estate on Choate Island for many years. The Bus wasn't driven many miles and at some point it was essentially retired from service and was parked under a shelter out of the elements. Years later Mr. Crane passed away. The Bus was sold out of the estate to an East Coast collector. Years later it was discovered and put in the hands of the proper custodian collector since leaving the original family's ownership.
The body is displaying the vast majority of the original Sealing Wax Red and Light Beige Grey paint. Extremely straight, has a great mild-patina appearance. The Bus easily to be enjoyed just as it is. It deserves high quality repairs to bring it to its full potential as a phenomenal survivor. Other details to note include that the Bus has all of the correct doors, apron, decklid, slash cut Deluxe bumpers with trim, all the original match dated wheels, date matched Deluxe trim rings, and batch code matched hubcaps! How often do you see an early Deluxe with those details any more?
The interior is probably the highlight of the Bus. Original, complete, and looking great from front to rear! All 3 original bench seats are still wearing their original upholstery. Some of the stitching is letting loose in the normal fashion. If purchased we will restitch the original to perfection for an extra charge. Both original seat kick panels are still intact. Incredible survivor. The mohair headliner is mindblowingly still intact, showing some age and typical "tea staining" but it's holding up incredibly well for the 51 years. The original Basalt Grey interior panels exceptional never cleaned to their utmost potential. The dash is beautiful, glossy, and is still in the original Sealing Wax Red paint. Even the original radio blockoff plate, Deluxe chrome ashtray, early Deluxe grab handle with the chrome ends, and two original VW headed keys are still with the Bus! Other details to note include all 3 original Deluxe aluminum coat hooks, correct original early ribbed Golde sunroof handle, short spoon popout window latches, the arm rests, both original floor mats in nice shape, seat mounting hardware including the cups, the original Deluxe rear luggage shelf carpeting, the previously mentioned original Tucker Volkswagen dealership shift pattern decal on the dash, and the almost always missing original parcel tray liner still holding strong, too! The more you look inside this Bus, the more it will impress with its completeness, cleanliness, and supreme originality!
Mechanically it is fully turnkey, drives nicely, and is largely stock with a stale air 40hp engine, fully synchronized reduction box transaxle, and the electrical system remains factory 6 volt as well. The engine was replaced early on for some reason as the Bus dates to mid 1961. The engine is about 6 months newer from early 1962. Other mechanical details include the nearly brand new Firestone 6.40-15 bias ply tires and the Bus was professionally serviced not many miles ago, too . . .
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volks...191a507d#v4-37
Damage = $89.5k (BiN)
(Not mine)
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Originally Posted by edmayo
