An iconic “Bulli” – far more than a Hippie bus only
This T1 Samba was used by the municipality of Sao Paolo until 1994 and later by the former city mayor Mrs. Marta Suplicy
– 58 hp from a completely overhauled 1.6-litres four-cylinder boxer engine
– 4-gear manual transmission
– 2 owners only and very low mileage
– 23 Safari windows and pop-up front windows, roof rack and ladder
– White bakelit steering wheel
– Extensively restored by VW FroXx Classics Brazil
– Repainted in the original two-tone paint in caribeangreen and white
Wanna have the Flower Power feeling or just a chilled travel experience: The Samba is the right choice.
From reconstruction worker to cult object
The most successful German commercial vehicle has its roots in the postwar period – as a simple, reliable, spacious transporter it was available from 1950, with only 25 hp and a top speed of 80 km/h. That was it – that had to do.
Over the years, the requirements grew, and the “Splittie”, as it was referred to because of its split windscreen, grew too, and adapted itself: Different body shapes appeared, in addition to the closed van, there was the “Kombi” with three windows on each side. In 1951 came the – nowadays much sought-after – Samba bus with 23 windows, in 1952 the pickup. The crew-cab was available from 1959. Westfalia campers followed in 1960. From 1963, the larger engine of the VW 1500 became an option.
In 17 years, a total of 1.8 million T1 rolled off the assembly line, with one in five being sold outside Germany. A sight to behold were the colourfully painted hippie vans of the 1960s / 1970s. The T1 was loved in these circles too.