Coys Auction - Grand Prix, Competition, Touring & Rally Cars and Collectors' Items
Autosport International
National Exhibition Centre
Birmingham
B40 1NT UK

Saturday 10th January 2009

The fi rst generation of Volkswagen buses were built from 1949 to 1967 and are
known as split-window buses or ‘splitties’. The splitties sported a split windscreen
along with a sweeping v-line front and a large VW emblem. These buses were
170 cubic feet (about 4.8 cubic meters) in volume and were considered spacious.
Splitties came in many guises; barn door, panel, kombi, standard, deluxe,
ambulance, single and double cab, walk-through, double door, semaphore
and safari are just a few. The Microbus was introduced in 1950. This had nicer
upholstery, two-tone paint, engine adjustments and the shape of front bumper
changed. The big cast aluminium ‘VW’ logo appeared on the front and back.
During 1963 the engine size increased to 1500cc and also the sliding