1960 Volkswagen Type 2 Devon Samba Deluxe Micro Bus
Registration no. 8446 EL
Chassis no. 609715
Engine no. 3535134

This highly desirable, 'split screen', 23-window Devon Samba has had only two owners from new and has covered a mere 70,100 miles. All original and with matching numbers, it is one of only five known 23-window Deluxe models with original Devon conversions, and one of only two with 'special order' mahogany interiors (usually they were oak).

The current vendor purchased the 'Splittie' in 1986 from the original owners: Victor and Stella Whiffen of Bridport, Dorset. With only 50,000 miles from new at that time and still in its original paint, it was a rare find even then. The Whiffens had had the bus shipped to South Africa for a four-week touring holiday and then had it shipped back home. They told the vendor that they had never opened the sunroof!

From 1986 to 2000 the vendor used the bus for holidays and going to VW shows, adding a further 20,000 miles to the total. He then dry stored it until 2007 when the restoration commenced. Over the preceding 20 years the owner had visited numerous VW shows in the UK and Europe, collecting original new-old-stock parts for a future restoration. In the 'split screen' club since 1986, he also had got to know many skilled craftsman that could be trusted to do the specialist jobs.

One of his first tasks was to buy a frame enabling the vehicle to be turned on its side to facilitate access to the under side. Removing the soft under-seal with paraffin revealed very little rot and a lot of original factory paint. The entire underside was media blasted and needed only minimal welding. The inner and outer sills on the loading door side were replaced together with the outriggers; a small area of the floor where the so-cool box sits; part of the wheelarches; and a small area of the cab floor.

The upper side of the body was soda blasted and media blasted where needed, as was new-old-stock driver, passenger and side loading doors. The rear door and engine lid were soda blasted also and no rot was found. A friend painted the body and then the interior was completely restored. A hand made woollen headlining was installed; the original interior trim panels carefully cleaned; the rear seats and curtains remade in period-look material; and the front bench seat recovered in original colour-matched leather. All the Devon furniture is complete, including the gas lamp and shade, in-door gas burner, so-cool box and water tank. All the mahogany has been French polished by hand and new, as original, 9"-square linoleum floor tiles laid. (All the original seat covers and curtains have been kept).

All the external chromed door handles are new-old-stock, including the fuel door lock, while all the original brightwork has been re-plated, including the front 'VW' badge, interior door handles and horn grille. The aluminium Deluxe trim is original and has been polished. The only item added to this very original Type 2 is a set of new-old-stock safari front screens and fixings, including a new-old-stock wiper arm disengagement mechanism.

The original 34bhp engine has been completely rebuilt and a new-old-stock exhaust system powder coated in near original colour. A transitional engine that was produced for only some 10 months, it features many parts unique to the type, including the crankshaft, con-rods, pistons, cylinders, cylinder heads and some of the cooling duct tin-ware. The distributor and fuel pump are peculiar to this engine also.

The vendor's aim with this most meticulous restoration (completed in October 2014) was to refurbish as many of the original parts as possible and not detract from the originality of this beautiful Type 2 camper. He has succeeded in style.

Accompanying documentation consists of sundry restoration invoices, current MoT certificate and a letter and certificate from the Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen confirming that this Type 2 is an original, right-hand drive example retaining matching numbers. It is, of course, perfect for a wide variety of historic motoring and other events, including this year's Goodwood Revival.