1957 VW 23 Window Microbus For Sale
SOLD! Please CLICK HERE
For All Current Listings
This gorgeous custom 1957 23 window microbus is truly something special.
It is perhaps one of the best ever built and has been featured in magazines worldwide
and has won top awards at nearly every show it has ever been entered in.
It was built with truly "no holds barred" by a wealthy enthusiast in Southern California
that set out from day one on the project to build the best Bus possible.
The goal was to have a one of a kind untimate play toy for himself and his kids
and he certainly accomplished that and so much more.
It was built to his liking and tastes, it is a custom build rather than a stock restoration.
The upgrades are numerous and the end result is something you will never find a duplicate of.
Top quality workmanship and only the best hands and best parts were used in the construction of this one
and in person the attanetion to detail is even more evident than in the images here.
The Bus is currently located in Costa Mesa California in the hands of another prolific
collector and it's condition is still as nice today as it was when it was first built.
It has received superb care, as it should have.
It has a great, bright and clean and happy look to it.
Major "eye candy" to be sure...this one really gets the looks!
1957 is a fairly early year for the Bus, and it has the early attributes that set it aside
from the later years. The "pressed" bumpers that hug close to the body are probably the most
notable details. These continued until 1958, and then in 1959 came the larger bumpers with the overriders
that you see more often.
I have shot a lot of photos of this Bus to really show the details that make it a stand out.
The fit and finish is excellent inside and out, the hardware is all clean and fresh
everything about it has a showroom look to it from top to bottom.
The engine room is extremely clean and the powerplant here is a far cry from the original 36 horse unit!
This 2007cc engine was built by Gene Berg Enterprises, one of the true legends in the VW scene.
The absolute best of the best went into it and it runs fast and strong.
From the polished velocity stacks to the ceramic coated exhaust system,
everything is exceptionally clean.
Weber 42 DCNF Carbs have been fully worked over by the Bergs
and are mated to custom Berg manifolds and of course the Berg linkage.
Dual battery set up allows for operation of the audio system and reliable engine use as well.
A cut off switch installed on each for storage.
Brackets and mounts are all custom as well and the batteries are high end Optimas.
A built in trickle charger is installed that allows you to plug it in the wall in the garage to
run the audio and video systems for days without fear of running the batteries down.
Oil filler/breather is a wonderful custom piece.
Stainless braided lines with AN fittings.
Check out the powder coated engine tins with the silver vein finish.
Even a custom etched plate on the fan shroud that shows who it was built for.
This was a truly one off build designed to please the man who could have everything done over the top, there was no budget in mind on this one!
The Gene Berg carb linkage is fully polished and detailed
Custom machine degree pully with the BRM wheel design is fantastic
The matching alternator pulley is even more insane.
Note that the alternator is fully polished as well.
Big throaty Weber carbs give it a great performance sound, and with the engine and trans set up the way it is,
I must say it really gets up and goes! A far far cry from a stock Bus!
For the true gear heads...here are the engine specs.
2007cc by Clyde and Doug Berg at Gene Berg Enterprises
78mm Berg counterweighted 8 dowel crank
VW rods (clearanced)
Cima 90.5mm pistons with Total Seal lower rings
Engle 120 camshaft with .435-inch lift and 294 degree duration
Dual port 040 cylinder heads, ported and polished by Clyde Berg
3 angle valve job, heavy duty rocker arms, solid shafts, dual springs and chromoloy retainers
Valves are 40mm intage and 35.5mm exhaust stainless steel.
Compression ration is a pump gas friendly 6.8 to 1
Bosch 009 distributor with a Berg ignitor
Bosch w8A plugs
Berg/Weber 42 DCNF Carbs with Berg linkage and Berg manifolds
Exhaust system is a ceramic coated 1 5/8" merged set up by OldSpeed
200mm flywheel, 8 dowel, 12.5 lb
1700lb rigid clutch disc by KEP
Full flow oiling system with remote filter, cooler and Gene Berg deep sump.
Trans is a 69 Type 1 IRS unit built to top specs by the masters at Rancho Transmissions
4.12 ring and pinion. 3.78 1st, 2.06 2nd, 1.32 3rd and 0.89 4th gears
Super diff, steel shift forks, welded 3rd and 4th gears, heavy duty side plates and
Sway way axles from McKenzies.
Back to the pretty stuff...latches and hardware were all restored and are very clean.
Excellent
That engine room is a beauty!
Gorgeous Bus
A variety of surf stickers and related stuff in the windows, easily removed if you prefer the clean look.
Dash plaques from a variety of So Cal events are fitted to the bulkhead panel...again, removable if you want the clean look.
All the trophies and awards it has won do come with the Bus if desired.
It has been a very polific winner and will continue to be so for the new owner if they decide to show it.
Floors are superb and the paint shines bright, this was a very full show level body and paint job
by one of the best in the business, Buddy Hale, who has a long long list of past restorations that have gone on to great acclaim.
The interior of the bus is super clean and done in white with red piping.
This really give the Bus some "flash" and the whole red white and blue look is
"eye candy" all the way.
A top end audio system has been installed with custom speaker enclosures that are color and material matched to the interior.
Not only is there audio...but there is video, with a drop down screen up above and easy hook ups for
video game consoles including a 110v outlet!!
All of it very cleanly done.
Center seat, the color matched belts, room for everybody and more fun than you could ever imagine for the family!
Door panels are cleanly trimmed, interior overall is very well done with nice tight fit and finish.
Step on in to the rolling party room!
I love the modern touches and the vintage details that have been retained.
The proper early style grab handle with polished ends as an example.
Door latches and jams are very clean indeed.
All hardware is bright and shiny.
Door panels are in great shape and retain the factory style chrome trims and handles.
Under the mats the floors are perfect.
The Gene Berg shifter
Audio and video head units are mounted cleanly in the parcel tray under the dash.
A power outlet is fitted as well to charge your phone or other electronics.
The vintage flower vase is a nice touch as well.
The front speakers in their custom enclosures sure look great
Front bench seat.
Very clean and fun!
Show level finish everywhere
Custom wood look surfboard mirror, the tachometer and amps gauge mounted up top.
The fold down video screen is mounted to the fresh air box as well.
White face classic look instruments are gorgeous, and with the speedo custom made to match...really pretty.
Steering wheel is fully restored and fitted with a rare sun and moon horn button.
Switching quickly to the underside of the Bus you can see just how far the builders went with the detailing.
It is beautiful under here!!
The IRS conversion in the back is a fantastic upgrade that greatly improves handling and coupled with the type 1
transmission allows for much higher speeds that match perfectly to today's world.
This is not a "slow lane" crawler like a stock VW van is.
This one goes!!
Underside is beautifully painted and oh so clean!
Under the engine and trans as well it is detailed.
As you can see it all still looks like new under here!
Gorgeous!
Oil cooler is mounted under here and even it is spotless clean!
Under the front floors as well...gorgeous.
You can see your reflection in the finish under here!
Wow!
Disc front brakes are another great upgrade and a very needed set up for the performance drivetrain.
Stunning.
The chromed Porsche alloys would look at home in a jewelry store case!
Paint and bodywork is glassy smooth and fit and finish of the doors and all panels are excellent.
The Safari front windows are a great addition as well.
These very rare Hella accessory driving lights are super cool!
Chrome VW logo and the red filler in the body trim...all so pretty.
Hirschmann red tip antenna
Canvas sunroof cover
Headliner done in pinpoint vinyl.
Al the glass and seals are excellent.
That big sunroof is a great part of the fun!
I like the level of detail taken into the sunroof rails as well with the matching red filler.
Everywhere you look there is another special touch.
The wood slat roof racks have fully chromed hardware and clamps.
Two matching Coke coolers come with the Bus to store your drinks or detail supplies.
Amplifiers for the audio system are mounted back here in custom boxes shaped especially for the Bus.
German wool square weave carpet in the luggage area.
A pile of awards from the top California events such as the Bug In and VW Classic.
Tires are excellent front and back
Louver trim is a correct "deluxe" model detail.
Very clean in the deep corners
Some more interior shots...I like the custom install of the video screen
not cutting into the factory metal work, but cleanly blended in with custom trim panels
in front and in back.
Locking shifter base allows for the Bus to be "locked" in gear for security.
All Alpine stuff...top end!
The surfboard mirror is really slick!
I love these speaker installs...again, not cutting into the Bus in any way
yet blended in beautifully.
Nice horn button!
So clean!
Pop out side windows give some great flow-through
Beautiful Bus
Really one of the best of it's kind.
The "purists" may balk at the performance upgrades and custom touches
but everyone can respect the quality and attention to detail that went into the build.
Body and paint is so glassy smooth...really fantastic work.
And even though the restoration is several years old now, you would never tell it by looking at it.
It has been cared for well and it looks as nice now as it did when it was first completed.
The chrome looks so nice!
These brackets and hoops are normally just a galvanized steel...this looks like jewelry!
Like a mirror!
Oh...here is the video screen flipped open.
This will certainly keep the kids happy in the back!
Magazine cover car worldwide!!!
The "Ultimate Bus" is definitely right!!
One of the biggest spreads I have seen Hot VWs do on a car!!
Full cover, four color pages and two pages in the back of the book to complete the story.
When this Bus was done...it blew everybody away.
Specs
Chrome safari windows.
California year of manufacture plates and a few awesome bumper badges.
Oh and those Hella lights....drool drool drool!
In closing this is a really impressive Bus inside, outside and even the underside.
Show level and top quality from end to end. There are a lot of VW Busses out there
but there is only one that is just like this.
One word to describe it...stunning!
SOLD! Please CLICK HERE
For All Current Listings
For More Info...CALL
951-767-1600
or email oldbug@earthlink.net