This 1963 Volkswagen Type 2 bus is an 11-window example that was produced in January 1963 and delivered new to Charleston, South Carolina. The bus wears a clear coated blue and white patina finished over grey tweed upholstery and is powered by a replacement air-cooled 1.6L flat-four paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Additional details include polished 15″ five-spoke wheels, front disc brakes, a 4″ narrowed adjustable axle beam, dropped spindles, a Save-My-Bug dipstick, a PerTronix Flame-Thrower distributor, and a Euro two-tip exhaust with J-tubes in addition to a custom-fabricated roof rack, extended pop-out window latches, side scoops, and a flat-folding rear bench. Acquired by the seller in 2016, this Type 2 is now offered with a church key and a clean Florida title in the seller’s name.
The bus left the factory finished in Turkis Green (L380) and received rust repairs and a repaint under previous ownership. The blue and white patina finish has been clear coated, and additional details include deluxe beltline trim, six pop-out side windows, a cog-wheel front emblem, side scoops, and dual exhaust outlets exiting through the rear bumper. The roof rack was custom-fabricated by the seller, who also notes the door and window seals have also been replaced. The headlights only work on the high beam setting.
Polished 15″ five-spoke wheels are mounted with 195/50 Ironman iMove tires. The bus has been fitted with a 4″ narrowed adjustable axle beam, dropped spindles, and front disc brakes. The drag link was replaced and an alignment was performed in 2024. The seller notes the brake master cylinder was replaced and that the tie rods need to be replaced.
The walk-through front cabin houses low-back bucket seats trimmed in grey tweed upholstery with turquoise stitching as well as a radio block-off plate, sliding side windows, and a pool ball shift knob. The seller states the gas pedal was replaced under current ownership.
The dashboard houses an 80-mph speedometer and a fuel level readout, while a trio of gauges measuring oil temperature, voltage, and oil pressure are mounted below the parcel shelf. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 94k miles, approximately 3k of which have been added under current ownership. True mileage is unknown.
Dual swing-out side doors provide access to the rear compartment, which has been fitted with a flat-folding rear bench seat trimmed in matching upholstery as well as extended spoon-style pop-out window latches.
The replacement air-cooled 1.6L flat-four is fed by an EMPI 34 PICT-3 carburetor and features a Save-My-Bug dipstick, a PerTronix Flame-Thrower distributor, a Bosch blue ignition coil, and a degree pulley. The battery, alternator, starter, cooling fan and tins, spark plugs, ignition wires, oil cooler seals, and Hoover bit were reportedly replaced under current ownership. Fluid drips are noted from the engine and transaxle.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a replacement four-speed transaxle. A ceramic-coated Euro two-tip exhaust with J-tubes has been fitted. The seller states the clutch cable, disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and flywheel were replaced along with the shifter bushings, shift coupler, transaxle mounts, and axle boots.
Decoding the M plate reveals the following information:
- Model – Type 2 (T1) 231
- Kombi
- Right-side cargo doors
- Left-hand drive
- Model year – 1963
- Planned production date – January 25th, 1963
- Engine – Type 1 1,493cc flat-four
- Transmission – 4-speed manual gearbox
- Paint color – Turqouise (L380)
- Interior Color – Grey (80)
- Destination country – USA, Charleston
- 013 – Middle and rear seats plus panels in the cargo area
- 080 – Split front seats (walk-through)
- 178 – RPM limiter
- 195 – Adjustable bench seat/backrest
- 375 – North American equipment. Includes 6 popouts