1966 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

1966 Volkswagen 21-Window Deluxe Walk-Thru Microbus
This is a correct-to-original Restoration/ Preservation. This was a 100% complete and a very original bus, all work done was with the intention to maintain the look and quality of an original bus. See the before photo of the bus to show its condition before any work was started; this bus was being driven and used then taken off the road for this restoration.
Out of the 17-years that VW offered the Sunroof DeLuxe bus, there were only 2-years this color combination was offered, 1966 & 1967. The Sea Blue/ Cumulus White color along with the interior color coordinating on the floor mats and interior grab handles that VW came up with produced an awesome looking bus.
All the parts you see are original to this bus, the restoration involved refurbishing and refinishing the original German components. Every part, every nut, bolt, screw, and washer on this bus are the German originals that were cleaned, inspected for wear tolerances, polished, then reinstalled (you can't beat using the original German parts!)
Restoration Details:
-The headliner material is factory original vinyl with printed dots, not the commonly used, but not correct, perforated vinyl
-The interior upholstery mimics the original Aero Papyrus/ Steel color-style that VW used only on the '66 & '67 Sea Blue Deluxe buses (it's actually the pattern used in '64 to '65 buses but matched to the Sea Blue color)
-All the interior and exterior details that defined a DeLuxe bus are in place as original. If you study original deluxe buses this is the most common area restorers simply get it wrong.
-The flooring and seat-stand mats, the seating arm rests and grab bars, and the rear luggage panels are all true to the Steel and Strato blue colors that VW used originally to compliment the Sea Blue/Cumulus deluxe color scheme.
-Spare tire cover in the interior upholstery material just as original
-The speedometer was restored and reset to zero miles (from Orange Empire Bus Company)
-The steering wheel was restored (the nubs on this wheel are perfect!)
-The following items were re-chromed: original heavy grade VW hubcaps, interior & exterior door handles, Golde sunroof handle and closing latch, ashtray, the speedometer trim ring, and steering column bracket screws
-All seat frames were restored (thoroughly cleaned, primed and painted, spring-to-frame tabs tightly re-secured, and new upholstery barbs welded on). The upholstery was installed as VW did originally, not hog-ringed like on some restorations.
-Perfect fitment of all interior panels, giving a factory appearance
-Only the correct VW paint codes (German Spies-Hecker single stage paint) were used on painted areas and the correct VW upholstery/interior color codes were used on interior
Complete mechanicals:
-German brakes (cylinders, shoes, soft lines)
-Brake backing plates cleaned and painted
-Heating system ducting all cleaned up with all original ducting insulation
-Shift rod tunnel cleaned and lubed and all shift rod bushings and the rod couplers replaced
-Overhead air vent refurbished (joints sealed, vanes cleaned and rubber flaps/seals replaced)
-Steering box refurbished (cleaned up, changed oil, and seal replaced)
-New steering dampner, tie rods and/or ends as needed
-Recent front and rear Tranny mount replacements and tranny center section (4.12 R&P with 0.82 bus 4th gear)
-Recent front wheel bearings and seal replacements
-Windshield wiper motor (2-speed/12 volt) refurbished (cleaned of hardened grease and repacked)
-Recent reduction box rebuild (maintained all original FAG German bearings that met wear tolerances)
-Front beam center steering pin housing rebushed and reamed to a new pin
-Reconditioned stock height king pin spindles installed (from Wolfgang's)
The only Reproduction parts:
-The seat stand mats – from Wolfsburg-West
-The interior panels were replaced with 1/8” tempered masonite hardboard panel (completely water proof) and covered with Enduratex and TMI upholstery
-The 9-pin flasher box – from Wolfsburg-West
-Window and door rubber seals – from Bustorations
-Body trim molding insert – from Wolfsburg-West
-Correct height (tire diameter) and sidewall rating (D load) Cooper brand tires
-Correctly sewn Sunroof Cover in the correct color by Mark Lapriore
-The seat belts – from Wolfsburg-West
-The German square weave luggage carpet – from West Coast Classics
Non-Stock and not original to the bus:
-12 volt electrical system
-H4 Halogen headlamps with 65/55 bulbs
-Applied Second Skin brand Damplifier mat and bubble wrap insulation to quiet interior noise
-Aluminum side step
-Vintage Blaupunkt radio, Frankfurt model
Larger displacement engine for improved driving safety:
-The engine is a 78x90.5 =2007cc engine, 110 Engle cam
-Full flow oil system with a remote Fram HP oil filter
-Gene Berg Weber 42 dual carburetors with Weber intakes match-ported to Berg ported and polished big valve heads (40mm intakes x 37.5mm exhaust). K&N air filters (the best there is)
-Gene Berg dual carb linkage (the best there is)
-A-1 brand (Palo-Alto, CA) 1- 5/8” flanged heater boxes (to flow correctly with big valve heads yet retain the stock heating system) with Sidewinder 1- 5/8” merged header and Magnaflow muffler
-Type IV oil cooler with welded doghouse fan shroud to house the improved and larger flow oil cooler
-All Original German engine tinware cowling is present and correctly installed to ensure proper air flow and heat removal around the engine
-Fan shroud air directional flaps, thermostat bellows, and linkage rod are all installed, connected, adjusted correctly, and working
-New alternator and battery

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