1964 Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Microbus Deluxe 21-window 'Samba'
A right-hand-drive 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Deluxe Microbus 21-window Samba, chassis 1 262 608, manufactured on 3 March 1964 for the British market and registered 845 XJ. Supplied new with a Devon Conversions oak interior, it served its first owner as a family touring vehicle for over two decades before spending years stored on a Manchester farm. A subsequent owner undertook a ground-up restoration using correct period colours and materials, earning recognition at the 2010 SSVC AGM and a feature in specialist press.
Ownership
- 2023-02-24Auction saleEstimate £55,000 – £65,000
- 1964 → 1986Factory deliveryRaymond Brownpartial documentation
Original owner; used the vehicle as a family touring and camping bus for many years. The van was fitted with a towbar and accumulated a Devon Conversions oak interior. Brown eventually parked it in 1986 and stored it under a tarpaulin on a Manchester farm.
- 1986 →Acquisition unknownRaymond Brownpartial documentation
Continued to keep the vehicle in farm storage despite repeated interest from potential buyers; eventually decided to sell ahead of relocating to France.
- → 2006Private saleMartinpartial documentation
Intermediate owner who resold the vehicle in 2006.
- 2006 →Private saleYoung couple, third ownerspartial documentation
Purchased via eBay while on a snowboarding trip in the United States; undertook a comprehensive ground-up restoration. One partner was a trained carpenter who contributed to recreating the Devon Conversions interior. After completion the vehicle was garage-stored and driven sparingly.
- Date unknownPrivate saleKeith at SSVCpartial documentation
Purchased the vehicle from Raymond Brown through the Split Screen Van Club contact; held it only briefly before passing it on.
Competition
- 2010SSVC AGM concours/awards2010 SSVC AGM — Restoration of the Year2nd place
Entered in the restoration category at the Split Screen Van Club annual general meeting following completion of the ground-up rebuild.
- 2010SSVC AGM concours/awards2010 SSVC AGM — Van of the Year3rd place
Simultaneously entered in the Van of the Year category at the same 2010 SSVC AGM event.
Maintenance & restoration
- —ModificationDevon Conversions
A Devon Conversions oak wood camper interior was fitted, and a towbar was added; these were carried out during or shortly after original delivery for the first owner's touring use.
Work performed during Raymond Brown's ownership; exact date not recorded.
- —Restoration
Full ground-up restoration undertaken by the third owners over several years, with correct period paint colours, authentic trim and period curtain fabric reinstated. The Devon Conversions wooden interior was largely preserved; missing or damaged elements were hand-crafted in matching wood and patterns by a skilled carpenter.
Work was carried out in stages subject to available garage space and budget; completed by 2010 when the vehicle was shown at the SSVC AGM.
- —Engine rebuildLaurie Pettit
The original 1,500cc engine (no. 8 609 969) was removed and set aside; a Laurie Pettit-built 1,776cc unit was installed in its place, coupled to a 1500 Beetle gearbox to improve high-speed cruising. The original engine is retained and will accompany the vehicle.
The replacement engine may have been subsequently updated or swapped again; details were unconfirmed at time of cataloguing.
- —Modification
Ride height lowered slightly via a CB Performance 2-inch narrowed front beam with dropped spindles, and the steering box raised by 40mm, while the external appearance otherwise remains standard.
Modification carried out as part of or alongside the ground-up restoration.
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