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In the spring of 1947, Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon created a design for a van inspired in part by the Citroen H van. The design was shown to the home office in Germany, however the popularity of the Type 1 Beetle meant the project was put on hold for several years. Later, Pon's sketches evolved into prototypes where the driver was placed above and potentially ahead of the front axle. Two years after Pon's first sketch, CEO Heinz Nordhoff's approved the project and work began at the end of 1949. The early examples were utilitarian, but passenger-oriented Microbus followed six-months later. Multiple versions followed, including a 23 window version that was suitable for touring and offered curved glass in the rearmost roof pillars that offered exceptional views. These 'Samba' vans had a large fabric sunroof and two-tone paint jobs with additional chrome brightwork.
The Samba was discontinued when the Type 2 was redesigned in 1967.
This particular 23-window Deluxe Samba was delivered new to the American West Coast. In 2012 it was given an extensive rotisserie restoration and finished in Sealing Wax Red and Beige Grey. The interior was also completely refinished in new grey wool headliner, grey small diamond and pleated pattern upholstery panels, and German square weave carpet in luggage area. A 1,600cc dual-port flat four engine was also installed, along with a 3:44 transmission.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018
The Samba was discontinued when the Type 2 was redesigned in 1967.
This particular 23-window Deluxe Samba was delivered new to the American West Coast. In 2012 it was given an extensive rotisserie restoration and finished in Sealing Wax Red and Beige Grey. The interior was also completely refinished in new grey wool headliner, grey small diamond and pleated pattern upholstery panels, and German square weave carpet in luggage area. A 1,600cc dual-port flat four engine was also installed, along with a 3:44 transmission.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018
2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $140,000-USD $160,000
Sale Price :
USD $100,800
1961 Volkswagen Transporter Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Volkswagen Transporter
(Data based on Model Year 1961 sales)
1961 Volkswagen Type 2 Deluxe '23-Window' Microbus Chassis#: 792933 Sold for USD$112,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN MICROBUS DELUXE Chassis#: 31639 Sold for USD$55,000 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN KOMBI CAMPER RE-CREATION Chassis#: 30710 Sold for USD$49,500 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
WILL FERRELLS 1961 VOLKSWAGEN 23-WINDOW MICROBUS Chassis#: 734569 Sold for USD$192,500 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN 23 WINDOW MICROBUS Chassis#: 664178 Sold for USD$68,200 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1961 Volkswagen Double Cab Pickup Chassis#: ID31936COLO Sold for USD$47,000 2022 GAA : July 2022 | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN KOMBI CAMPER RE-CREATION Chassis#: 30710 Sold for USD$44,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN 23 WINDOW MICROBUS Chassis#: 768791 Sold for USD$85,800 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN 23-WINDOW CUSTOM BUS Chassis#: 656016 Sold for USD$181,500 2021 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN 23-WINDOW BUS Chassis#: 768791 Sold for USD$83,600 2021 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1961 Volkswagen Type II Bus Sold for USD$50,600 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN 23-WINDOW MICROBUS Chassis#: 734569 Sold for USD$137,500 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Fall Auction | |
1961 Volkswagen Deluxe '23-Window' Microbus Chassis#: 792933 Sold for USD$159,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online | |
1961 Volkswagen Type 2 23 Window Bus Sold for USD$83,000 2019 GAA : November 2019 | |
1961 Volkswagen Type Two 'Split-Screen' Kombi Chassis#: 646527 Sold for USD$32,391 2019 Historics at Brooklands - Motor Museum | |
1961 Volkswagen Deluxe '23-Window' Microbus Chassis#: 761891 Sold for USD$100,800 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1961 Volkswagen Single-Cab Pickup Chassis#: 671922 Sold for USD$64,400 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN DOUBLE CAB CUSTOM TRUCK Chassis#: 654841 Sold for USD$40,700 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1961 VOLKSWAGEN 23-WINDOW DELUXE MICROBUS Chassis#: 608038 Sold for USD$291,500 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1961 Volkswagen 23 Window Samba Bus Sold for USD$72,500 2016 Mecum - Indianapolis |
Volkswagen Transporters That Failed To Sell At Auction
1961 Volkswagen Transporter's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961 Volkswagen Double Cab Pickup | 2022 Mecum Indy | $52,000 | |||
1961 Volkswagen Combi Westfalia T1 Camper | 23766244 | 2020 Artcurial Motorcars : Monaco | $75,000 | $95,000 | |
1961 Volkswagen Samba Bus | 2020 Carlisle Auctions : Winter AutoFest | ||||
1961 Volkswagen 23-Window Bus | 2018 Mecum : Dallas | $85,000 | |||
1961 Volkswagen Microbus | 652790 | 2018 Mecum : Monterey | $55,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 |
1961 Volkswagen Single Cab Pickup | 2017 Mecum : Denver | $13,000 | |||
1961 VOLKSWAGEN 15 WINDOW BUS | 2012 McCormicks Palm Springs Auction 52 | $39,500 | |||
1961 VOLKSWAGEN PICKUP TRANSPORTER | 2003 Kruse Auction, Oklahoma City, OK | $3,800 |
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1961 Volkswagen Transporter
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