1956 VW Deluxe Microbus " 23 Window " For Sale

OLD LISTING...For Reference ONLY!!
(Click HERE for current vehicles)

A 56 model is pretty early in the VW Bus scene and they dont seem to come up for sale that often.
There are earlier ones of course, but the "Barndoor era" Busses from 1950-1954 are the
most highly prized and prices are aimimng well upwards of 100K for one of those in prime condition,
so the "post barndoor" Busses are the next step down the ladder and the 55-58 models with their
body colored "pressed bumpers" are tough to beat.

This Bus is a very nice one. I cant call it a flawless restoration but it is certainly show worthy
and while it might not make a magazine cover or win the top award at a "white glove" Concours event
it will certainly inspire drooling thunbs up and smiles from darn near everybody that sees it roll down the road.

There is a lot of windows on this box... 23 views from the inside of the world around you!
What a sweet ride indeed!

Body and paint is very nice and the Bus appears quite clean and solid.

Wide whitewall tires give it that classy touch.

Safari front windows, the deluxe aluminum beltline trim,
bullet front turn signals and fluted European style headlight lenses.

Simple mirrors are hinge mounted.

Close up of the flip out Safari windows.

Detail of the headlights and turn signals.

Nice smooth nose.
One item of note is that the front bumper on this Bus is a reproduction made of fiberglass.
The seller has a very clean original steel example that goes with the Bus, but it needs to be painted and installed.
The bumpers are also missing the original aluminum trims.

The wheels are the proper 15" Bus only wheels.

Sight down the sides and the Bus is quite straight but not quite flawless.

Small paint chip on the door hinge...

Underside has been undercoated and looks quite solid and proper.

Another shot down the sides...

Rear of the Bus features some cool goodies.

Safari style rear window is very cool.

Third brakelight decklid is proper for the year.

Early taillights and reflectors
(the reflectors were NOS examples sourced from a local collector)

Here's another small paint chip.
The seller does have some extra paint, so a quick dab with a brush and you are good here...
or find the proper bumper trims and they will go right over this area.

Bottomside of the engine is pretty clean. Stock transmission but a mild performance engine
and 1 volt electrics makes it a much nicer driver on today's roads than the puny 36 horse unit it came with.

The engine is nicely detailed and runs very well.
Displacement is 1904cc...a good but larger than the original 1100cc unit.
This is a mark against the Bus from the restorers point of view, but from a user's point of view it is great.
Now with the stock transmission it isnt a fast lane freeway machine, but at least it gets out of it's own way
on the road and can climb the hills.

Engine compartment is quite clean.

Underside of the engine lid.

The seller has a nice wood slat roof rack that goes with the Bus, it was just not on during these photos
(wont fit in his garage with it on...)

Beautiful.

The interior of the Bus was done by West Coast Classics, a well know and respecteed restoration house.
And it is done in the proper materials and stitch patterns.

Rough texture vinyl with the contrastin piping.

Clean and stock dashboard.
Note the thinner profile to the parcel shelf here... later models in the 60's it became fatter on the edge.

Nice and clean.

The dash has two things that are not original...can you spot them?

The speedometer looks about right...

Gas gauge?
Yes...that is one of the concessions to modern life...originally in 56
the Bus would not have had a fuel gauge.

The steering wheel...that's another "incorrect" item.
this is a restored wheel from a very early "Barndoor" era Bus.
It is not correct for 56 but boy is it a thing of beauty!
(and quite valueable too!)

Here is another very cool and desireable accessory...the "Ambulance Fan".
This has two electric fans inside that blow fresh air into the cabin.
Normally this is just a flat panel with no motors behind it, and fresh air only enters the Bus at speed.
This is a part that was standard issue on VW Bus Ambulances...hence the name.

Another shot of the floor and the controls.

Front seat from the driver's side.

Door panels are excellent and have the proper door pocket for the early model Bus.

Headliner is very nice.

A shot from the back.
Stock up on windex and paper towels!

Bottom side of rear hatch.

Rear luggage deck is carpeted with the German wool "square weave" material.

In the passenger area, everything is very nice and fresh.

Rear panels have the proper seamed inset material that is very tough to come by these days.

Full width center seat has the early cast metal grab handles.

Kick panel on the center seat has the newer design grooved trim...originally in 56 the pattern was a bit different.

Rear seat is excellent and has the proper luggage rail.

Again, the kick panel below features the newer style aluminum trim.

Floors of the Bus appear very solid.
They were sprayed with a texture coat of some sort prior to painting...originally this would have been smooth.

Front floors are treated the same way.
Slightly funky perhaps, but durable.

Door panels on the cargo doors.

Early grab handle.

Coat hooks and long "spoon" style window latches.

Early style armrests as well.

Grooved sunroof handle matches the inner door handles on the front doors.

Sunroof is done in matching dark brown canvas.

Early Busses have the upper door hinge very high on the body...later models they were located
just above the beltline.

Another shot underneath...not show detailed under here or anything...but it's still pretty clean.

Hmmmm...pretty!

Early style cargo doors did not have the indentation under the handle.

Nice detail in the door jams with new shiny screws.

Oh yeah...it's a Volkswagen (in case you were wondering)

Oh...and here is the "Birth Certificate" from Volkswagen of Germany with the original production info.
Built on March 2nd 1956, left the factory on March 5th with an original destination of Miami Florida.

So..in closing this is a very nice example of a rare and desireable early model 23 window Deluxe Microbus.
The hardcore purists out there might pick it apart for a few authenticity issues, but no matter what they say
it is a gorgeous machine that will provide it's new owner with a ton of fun indeed.

SOLD!!