VW Bus Parts

The VW Transporter, known widely as the Bus, was first envisioned in 1947 by Ben Pon. It was designed as a light delivery van. Volkswagen ran with the idea. The first buses produced were Panel Vans for commercial use, but the possibilities of other applications caught on quickly.

The VW Bus was produced from 1950 to 1979.

The Westfalia is a camper bus. The concept was first introduced in 1956 as a conversion kit for the micro bus and later became its own model in 1957. The Westfalia Camper included features like a folding table, folding benches, cabinets, a camp stove and icebox, fold-out bed, curtains, awning, and a roof transom.

The Kombi Bus was introduced in 1954. It had removable seats that could seat 8-9 passengers or could be removed entirely to transport cargo.

The 23-Window Deluxe Microbus was a luxurious version of the standard Volkswagen Bus, featuring a large canvas sunroof, safari windows that could be opened for ventilation, and a unique two-tone paint scheme. Only a limited number of these buses were produced, making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts today.

While the 23-Window is arguably the most sought after bus by collectors there are other buses that are rarer. There are a number of buses where only a handful were produced for specialty purposes, like for ambulances or mail delivery.

The reliability of a VW Bus can depend on various factors, including its condition, maintenance history, and usage. Overall, VW Buses are generally known for their durability and longevity, but they do require regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly.

One of the advantages of VW Buses is their simple and robust design, which makes them relatively easy to work on and repair. However, as with any vehicle, parts can wear out over time. Regular maintenance and proper care are important for ensuring the reliability of a VW Bus. This includes routine maintenance tasks such as oil changes, tune-ups, brake adjustments, and inspections of the electrical system, suspension, and other components. Rust prevention and restoration is important for keeping your VW Bus in good shape as older vehicles are more susceptible to rust due to their construction materials and design.

When purchasing a VW Bus the first thing you should do is inspect the vehicle. These are the things to look for:

VIN Number - The longevity of production with few major changes, paired with the interchangeability of air-cooled VW parts can make identifying your classic Volkswagen a challenge. The only sure-fire way to identify your VW is by checking the VIN.

Major Rust - Surface rust will happen at any bare metal spot on metal and is not the end of a restoration project. However, major rust is deeper in the metal and will bubble, flake or completely "eat" away metal. Major rust may indicate a previously repaired accident or other body damage.

Body Condition - When buying a VW we are MOST concerned with the body shell itself first and foremost. Fenders, hoods, seats, wheels, engines and transmissions, doors, bumpers and all the other parts bolted to the car can be changed. The body is the foundation and we will always look for the best foundation possible. Look for overall fit and operation of body parts like creases and folds, cracking paint, door gaps, and fender to tire clearance from one side to the other. Where some misalignment is common, too much can be an indicator of a bad accident.

Restoring any classic car can be turbulent and time consuming, but it can also bring joy and a sense of accomplishment. If it is done well, it can also bring in some nice profits. Of course there are never any guarantees. What you can count on is that they aren’t making any more classic VW Buses. The older these cars get, the more rare, and valuable, they become.

The cost of restoring a VW Bus depends largely on its starting condition. The simple and robust design makes them relatively easy to work on and repair and parts are generally available and affordable.