The earliest history known of this bus was that in the 1960's it was believed to have been used by a Church in Sweden to ferry kids about. In 1970 it was deemed to be too costly to maintain and therefore was stored untill 1990 when a guy from Oxford imported it into the UK. It then came into the hands of a serial VW collector Khal in Manchester (who helped with this early history - thanks Khal!). Kal was taken by the amazingly original condition of the body that was structurally sound and commissioned Steve Gilbert to restore the bus back to original condition. Kal felt strongly that this bus should be restored to as it left the factory - against the prevailing enthusiasm for custom builds which were all the rage at the time.

Speaking to Khal, he reminisced driving the bus after the restoration - at which time it was featured in the January 2004 edition of Volksworld magazine with some of his other special VWs. Khal sold the bus in 2008 and ultimately in 2012 it came into the ownership of a serial early VW collector - with one of the finest private VW collections. 

A fabulous example of one of the rarest and most desirable split screen VW Sambas made. Fresh from a highly significant private collection of early VW - this concours contender has benefited from a full restoration by Steve Gilbert of One on One and has barely been used since. Sensitively mechanically upgraded with period parts to make it a fun to drive and a spirited performer on today's roads, this 244 De Luxe microbus has not been seen in public during the last owner's 16 year ownership.

Faultless attention to detail during the restoration, this bus was subject to a complete nut and bolt concours restoration by Steve Gilbert of One on One restorations.

SUSPENSION: The original Link Pin and Kingpin have been replaced with new components together with all brake lines and hoses.

WHEELS & TYRES:  Original solid steel wheels with genuine hub caps and beauty rings, the wheels are shod in new BF Goodrich white wall tyres.

BRAKES: Drum brakes in rear and disk brake conversion on front - to safely cope with the extra urge of the stronger performing engine

INTERIOR: This is the original interior. The seats have been re-padded and the original covers re-installed. the cab and passenger floor mat are original blackrubber in excellent order. A new cloth head liner has been professionally installed together with a fully restored full length sliding fabric roof.

BODY: The bus has been subject to a 100 point concourse restoration, the shell has been taken down to bare metal prior to painting and zinc chromate prior to application of correct and original two tone paint finish. The quality of paint and panel fit are excellent. All new old rubber seals have been used throughout. Sealing wax red (Code: L53)and Chestnut brown (Code: L73)

The 30 hp engine was replaced by a custom built 2 litre engine by Daz Chandler - so that actually driving it on modern roads is feasible!

Engine: 2 Litre (Built by Daz Chandler)

VW A541 Crankcase
CB Performance Forged Cromoly Crank
CB Performance Forged Unitech Conrods
Webcam 110 Camshaft
Scat Bolt On Alloy Cam Drive Wheel
Scat Cam Followers
CB Performance Forged Cromoly 13ld Flywheel
CB Performance Cromoly Gland Nut
Mahle Forged Barrels and Pistons
CB Performance Cyl. Heads 40 x 35 S/S Valves
HD Valve Springs & Cromoly Retainers
Bolt Up Rocker Shaft Kit
Manton Cromoly push Rods
Kennedy Stage one Clutch Cover
Daiken HD Drive Plate
Comp Ratio = 8.5:1