Vw WestfaliaVw CampervansVolkswagen KombiMicrobusVolkswagen Bus For SaleCars Vw BusVw Van For SaleBuses For SaleVw LoveForward1960 VW Bus For Sale I want one so badly!..Brought to you by #HouseofInsurance for #CarInsurance #EugeneOregon Type 2, Microbus, Splittie, Samba, Kombi, Samba, Bulli from 1950 to 1967 The first generation of the Volkswagen Type 2 was available as a van for work or as a people carrier. It had the distinctive 2 front windscreens and the V shape on the front panel. Around the world it became affectionately known as the Bus, Barndoor, Kombi, Bullie, Microbus, Splitscreen, or Splitty, Samba, 21 Window and 23 Window, to name just a few of its nick names. Initially built until 1956 at Wolfsburg; from1956, it was built at the completely new Transporter factory in Hanover. Sharing many components with the VW Beetle, the first Transporters were powered by a 25Hp 1100cc Volkswagen air-cooled engine mounted in the rear. This was upgraded to the 1200cc 30 Hp engine 1953.
Up until 1955 they were often called the Barndoor due to the enormous rear engine lid, they also had a flat roof at the front, while the later versions had the distinctive peak or overhang over the 2 front windscreens. During the 17 years of production there were a great many versions produced by VW, there was the basic panel van, an entry level Kombi or Bus is the 11-window. The Deluxe model featured eight rear side windows and two rear corner windows, making it the 15-window (not available in Europe). Meanwhile, Samba, officially called the sunroof Deluxe, came with eight small skylight windows giving it the name of the 23-window. From 1964 the wider tailgate meant the rear corner windows were discontinued, making the post 1964 models the 13-window and 21-window. If you would like a more detailed year by year history of the iconic Splitty, please read below where you will find a list of key dates in the production of the Splitscreen model along with the chassis numbers for the relevant years.
Volkswagen offered a huge range of models or variants of the VW Transporter, here are some of the factory combinations: Because of the style of the VW Transporter and the fact that VW were very relaxed about 3rd party companies converting them to alternative uses, they became a variety of specialist vehicles such as, refrigerated vans, hearses, ambulances, police vans, fire engines and ladder trucks. There was also a small ‘army’ of convertors around the world turning both vans and buses into campers. These varied drastically in quality and luxury. Some of the well-known UK converters were Danbury, Devon, Dormobile and Canterbury Pitt. 1950 Chassis Numbers - 20000001 > 20008112 February this year saw the first panel vans roll off the production line, followed in March by the Kombi and in May the first Buses or Microbuses. The engine size was 1131cc. 1951 Chassis Numbers - 20008113 > 20020112 June this year saw the Samba Bus roll off the production line and in December the first Ambulances were built.
1952 Chassis Numbers - 20020113 > 20041857 August this year saw the introduction of the very popular Pickup truck. This year also saw the introduction of synchronised 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. 1953 Chassis Numbers - 20041858 > 20070431 The only major change this year was the introduction of a larger (84Ah) 6 volt battery. Jan 1954 to Feb 1955 Chassis Numbers - 20070432 > 20117902 January 1954 saw the introduction of the 30Hp 1192cc engine. 1955 Was the end of production of the Barn Door style models. March 1955 to July 1955 Chassis Numbers - 20117903 > 20137605 The introduction of the 'post Barn Door models'. The main changes were, the introduction of a full width dash board, spare wheel moved to behind the front seats, fuel tank is moved to over the gearbox and of course the introduction of the peak over the front windscreens. The other changes included the smaller 15" wheels. 1956 Chassis Numbers - 20-137606 > 191466 This year saw the change in chassis numbers (no more '20' prefix), but the most important change was the moving of vehicle production from its birth place at Wolfsburg to a new factory in Hannover.
1957 Chassis Numbers - 191467 > 191466 1958 Chassis Numbers - 271676 > 371275 1959 Chassis Numbers - 371276 > 490622 Introduction of the Crew Cab or Double Cab pickup. The bumpers were changed to a more robust style and all gears became fully synchronised. 1960 Chassis Numbers - 490623 >632584 This year the 34 Hp engine was introduced and flashing indicators replaced the semaphore. 1961 Chassis Numbers - 632585 > 802985 1962 Chassis Numbers - 802986 > 971550 Petrol gauge becomes standard fitment, an optional 42 Hp engine was available and the front bench seat was made to hinge forward. 1963 Chassis Numbers - 971551 > 1144281 1500cc engine is introduced, the front indicators are made larger to the 'fish eye style'. Panel vans are made available with a sliding door and the tailgate is enlarged as standard. 1964 Chassis Numbers - 1144282 > 1328871 You could now order patterned seat covers, the windscreen wipers were greatly improved along with the heating system.
1965 Chassis Numbers - 215000001 > 215176339 The 1500cc engine was improved to give 44 Hp. A two speed wiper motor was introduced along with a foot switch to dip the headlights. The pickup and crew cabs had a larger rear window introduced. 1966 Chassis Numbers - 216000001 > 216179668 At last 12 volt electrics were introduced. 1967 Chassis Numbers - 217000001 > 217148459 The end of the Splitscreen production. Between 1950 and 1967 when production of the Splitscreen model ended the production line had rolled out 1,477,330 vehicles. A version was made in Brazil by VW until the 1990's. Shop more than 900 Volkswagen T2 'Splitscreen' parts and accessories here.002 1969 Volkswagen Microbus003 1968 Volkswagen Microbus Sign Up today for our FREE Newsletter and get the latest articles and news delivered right to your in-box.The Volkswagen Type 2 was introduced in 1950 as a multi-variant utility vehicle, known as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus (depending on body type).
It was devised as an evolution of the Volkswagen Type 1, the original Beetle. The first generation of these versatile vehicles, named the T1, were produced with distinctive split-screens from 1950 until 1967. From 1950 to 1956, the T1 was built in Wolfsburg; from 1956 they were built at a new factory in Hanover. Only two models were originally offered, the Kombi and the Commercial. The Microbus was added in May 1950, joined by the Samba (or Deluxe Microbus) in June 1951. The Samba was the most luxurious version of the microbus body-style. This model had 23 windows including eight panoramic windows in the roof, two pivot doors (instead of a sliding door) and a fabric sunroof. At that time Volkswagen marketed the idea of using the Samba to make tourist trips through the Alps. The early Sambas, built between 1951 and 1955, were often called the "Barn-door" (retrospectively called T1a), owing to the enormous rear engine cover. Presented here is a Wolfsburg factory-built 1955 VW Type 2 (T1) Samba Microbus, registration SGP 62.
It is a post barn-door model (retrospectively called T1b). It is an original RHD bus delivered new on the 21st November 1955 in the UK. It was imported by John Colborne-Baber, founder of the original VW dealership in the UK, namely Colborne Garages of Ripley, founded in 1949. For many years Mr Colborne-Baber used SGP 62 as his personal transport. Colborne Garages' long association with VW started as a result of Mr Colborne-Baber being approached by former army officer Mr George La- Haye. Prior to this, George had been stationed in Germany during the war and whilst there purchased three new Volkswagen Beetles, the last of which he returned to the UK with. Mr. Colborne-Baber showed an immediate interest in the Volkswagen Beetle and made George an offer on a part-exchange for a Wolseley 6/80, which he accepted. Mr Colborne-Baber was so impressed with the Beetle he'd acquired, that he then approached Volkswagen in Germany and began importing Volkswagen vehicles into the UK - and the rest is history!
As Sambas were never officially imported new into the UK, SGP 62 is thought to be the only surviving example of the few Wolfsburg-built examples that were. In 1959 Mr Colborne-Baber converted the interior of SGP 62 to be used for family holidays. This work was done by renowned specialists Devon Conversions. In 1992, SGP 62 was rediscovered in the West Country after 30 years in storage. It has been professionally restored over the last 18 months as a faithful reproduction of its condition as used by the Colborne-Baber family. A new bespoke period-correct Devon interior (by VW expert Kevin Morgan) has been used with the correct Osokool fridge and Dudley Stove. These rare items were sourced specially for this bus and are in mint condition. Upholstery & trim are also in period (by VW experts Trimshack), whilst body & paintwork are also faithful (by experts Smiths VW). SGP 62 has been restored, as much as possible, to original specification with a few additional safety and convenience features, whilst retaining its completely original appearance.
These allow it to both usable and safe to drive, while giving full peace-of-mind (if desired, it could very easily be converted to absolutely original condition without any major work being necessary). It has a bespoke and hand-built 2015cc twin-carb engine (by VW expert John Gurney), dual circuit brakes with CSP front discs, independent rear suspension, radial tyres, integrated front & rear indicators (working semaphores are still in place), engine bay fire suppressant system and front & rear seatbelts. In addition, there is a concealed fuel gauge, iPod/iPhone dock in front ashtray, 12v sockets, a treasure chest safe and 12v conversion. SGP 62 comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen, a comprehensive history/restoration file and a letter regarding it from the son of Mr John Colborne-Baber. This beautiful and rare Samba Microbus, being historically important in terms of its VW legacy in the UK, is ready to be appreciated and enjoyed.