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The Volkswagen Type 2 “Bus” is one of the most iconic vehicles of all time, perhaps second only to the Type 1 Beetle. They draw smiles everywhere they go, and are perfectly acceptable as rusty survivors and perfect, climate-controlled-storage classics. The one my brother drove for a while was of the no-muffler beater variety, but today’s examples are gorgeous, show-quality items that will blow minds with both their looks and their prices. Both are modified to take on the look of the desirable “21-window” bus, but the first one has significantly more than that…
Volkswagen Rabbits have recently entered the mainstream collector car world, and the result is great if you’re a Mk.1 fan. That’s because the increase in value has finally resulted in examples where restoration can be justified from not only a love of the car standpoint, but from an economic standpoint as well. Previously, restored examples seldom came to market because most people had put some much time and money into the car that selling it would result in them being ridiculously upside down when the transaction was completed. However with good examples of the GTi fetching towards $20,000 in some cases and nearly $10,000 Rabbits, some nicely presented and well built cars are coming to market:
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34 was a curiosity at the Volkswagen shows I frequented in my youth. In the rare instances I would come across one, I wasn’t sure what to make of this two-door with the same name as the Karmann Ghia Type 14. This was the flagship model for Volkswagen at the time, styled by Sergio Sartorelli, who was also responsible for the design of the Fiat 2300 S Coupe and Fiat 126. Based on the Type 3 chassis with the pancake flat-4 engine, this was the fastest Volkswagen of the time and cost the equivalent of two Beetles. Just over 42,000 examples were produced over nine years, from 1961 through 1969. This example for sale in Washington state isn’t stock, but could be a good starting point for someone looking to return one to stock.
Vanagons can be found for cheap or ludicrously expensive, but today’s restored Westfalia seems to be the right van for the right price. From an updated interior (check out those front seats!) to a 2.3 liter GoWesty engine update, it’s a fully-functioning camper that needs nothing (except maybe some new wheels). It’s not a bonkers Syncro mega-worldrover, but it is clean and well-done. $35k isn’t cheap, but it’s a reasonable price in the Westfalia world, especially considering the work done here.
One of my favorite cars from the 1980s that has seems relegated to obscurity these days – at least in the US – is the Volkswagen Scirocco. This isn’t too surprising, as it has been 27 years since the last one left showrooms. Like the Karmann Ghia which preceded it, its underpinnings came from rather humble origins but strove to attract the VW shopper who wanted something perhaps a little bit more sporty and unique. Late in its life, the Scirocco got a shot in the arm by way of the 1.8 liter 16 valve engine and some styling tweaks such as monochrome bumpers and fancier alloys. This 1987 Scirocco 16V for sale in California isn’t original, but has benefitted from a thorough refresh to ensure it is on the road for a good number of years to come.
