1954 Volkswagen Transporter

This 1954 Volkswagen Kombi Model 211 Microbus has a velvet green over mint and black exterior with a patterned interior. It was auctioned at the 2006 Christies Auction in Monterey, CA and expected to fetch between $30000-$40000. It was offered without reserve and at the conclusion of the bidding, the vehicle had found a new owner at just under that estimation, at $25850.

This vehicle is equipped with a rear mounted horizontally opposed air-cooled, overhead valves 1192 cc engine. It produces an adequate 36 horsepower. Braking is provided by hydraulic drums all around.

Just after World War II, Volkswagen introduced the Microbus. Ben Pon, a Dutch Volkswagen Importer, sketched a design which ultimately led to the Microbus. His vision for these vehicles were inspired by motorized trolleys and he envisioned a vehicle that was basically a box on wheels built atop of the Beetle chassis. When Heinz Nordhoff became chief executive a year later he completed the design and put it into production. At the 1949 Geneva Motor Show the VW Microbus was displayed to the public.

In the United States during the sixties, the Microbus evolved into a cultural icon.

The example shown was first purchased by Joseph Busiek of Palmdale, California in April of 1954. He held onto the vehicle until 1985 with the new purchaser undertaking a restoration. The car was again sold in 1994 and remained in their possession until 2006 when it was auctioned at the Exceptional Motor Cars Christies, Monterey Jet Center.

This vehicle has been shown at many shows were it has earned many awards. It has been featured on the cover of the 1999 issue of Hot VWs. It has been invited to be displayed at the National Motor Museum where it has resided for five months in 2004.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2006