Volkswagen T1 Samba 23 Windows '56

This beautiful T1 bus is particularly rare, and for several reasons. It is part of the very first series produced in the Wolfsburg factory. This is the top model with 23 windows and a Safari roof. It is painted in two colors. The Volkswagen T series is still in production, which speaks to its enduring success. This first series is an icon of its generation and quickly became the symbol of the flower power generation of the 1960s.

Commercially, the model was very successful in the United States, which is why most of the buses we see today on the European market are actually American models originally made in Germany and later returned to Europe. However, this particular example is an exception. This Samba began its life as a work bus for a hotel in Austria. After its career in hospitality, it was sold to a buyer in the United Kingdom, where it was fully restored.

Given the rarity and good condition of the original interior, it was decided not to restore the interior but to put it back in its original state. Unlike many other models and brands, there are hardly any alternatives available for Volkswagen to install a new interior that is exactly the same as the original. Under the hood today is a 1200 cc engine with 30 hp from Volkswagen, identical to the original. The original "numbers matching" engine has been overhauled and is included with the bus but is not currently installed.

This bus is not only a milestone in Volkswagen’s history but also a cultural object that is part of world history. This is a unique opportunity for a collector, an enthusiast, or someone who simply wants to enjoy a revolutionary vehicle with their children and grandchildren, more than 60 years after it was made.