1978 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi Bus
Type 2 have a long and storied history in the United States going back to 1949 up until this very day with the introduction of the ID.Buzz electric van due to arrive in dealer's showrooms sometime in 2024. Type 2's were also part of the U.S. Chicken Tax in the early 60's when West Germany and France put tariffs on U.S. chicken and in return, President Johnson enacted a 25% tariff on imports that included light trucks. This curtailed the import of light trucks but did not include passenger vans so that configuration of the Type 2 was spared.
For consignment, a 1978 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi bus with a title verified 25,090 actual miles, lots of newer parts and interesting custom touches.
Exterior
A combination of green hues covers the van with light green sandwiched between medium green, and the entire roof is white, along with the bumpers which are not perfectly straight. This is in full patina mode with the single stage paint presenting in completely imperfect coverage, with various colors and washes inner strewn with the light green panels in particular. The medium green appears to have been brushed on and it covers the front grille and attached flag holder, a diamond steel plate behind the VW front logo, the owl sculpture on the back, and on more diamond steel plates in back. The green band that circles the lower panels is also over some areas of significant invasive rust, bubbling, or outright missing pieces of the body. In some areas, the paint was applied thickly and there are runs in several places. There are various dents, scratches, and some surface rust particularly on a door and at wheel openings.
Interior
Saddle brown interior door panels are topped with the VW vent system that doubles as an armrest and both doors are in decent shape, save for the duct tape holding on the passenger's speaker. The tall front bucket seats are newer and in good shape too with compression and some wear but no major tears. Diamond steel plates make another appearance as the base for the seats while the second row bench is an old gray leather couch. A simple steering wheel rises from the floor and fronts a basic dashboard with a speedometer and a circle of idiot lights, while the right port for a gauge has been fitted with a peace sign, because, VW van. A JVC AM/FM/CD player is mounted in the middle of the dash for tunes or spiritual awakening CD's, and the floor is covered with pieces of flat looped carpet based in gray and it's there where the shifter is housed. The headliner is all there but parts have seen better days.
Drivetrain
In back, we have the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine with dual 1-barrel carburetors, set in motion by a 4-speed manual transmission which keeps power in the back and 4.02 gears. Our consignor states that the carburetors, wiring harness, fuel lines, fuel pump, battery and cables, power steering, and exhaust are newer. Power brakes are supplied with discs in front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with plenty of patina and surface rust. We note the heater tube is disconnected. Suspension consists of torsion arms in front and transverse torsion arms in back. The exhaust joins at a stock style muffler and exits through a single tailpipe.
Drive-Ability
We start the van up and notice the engine is a bit noisy. And there's no way to drown it out because the radio is not working. Bummer! But we take a spin and it gets us around the loop without issue. There's nothing like the forward cab and visibility in a Kombi and this green machine tracks well, runs, and stops on demand. Other than the radio and lack of heat, the limited functions available all work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
This green driver provides a number of opportunities, from overland conversion, full on restoration, or clean it up a bit and drive as is. These never cease to be cool, and we dare say, iconic. This one could use some TLC in the form of your personal touch and vision. So, connect with your inner self, but connect with us non telepathically if you're interested. Namaste.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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