1959 Mango Green and Seagull Grey Pressed Bumper Standard Microbus, Original Paint, Very Dry, Barn Find!

Here's a super cool early transitional Bus that you definitely don't find everyday.  This late August of 1958 production, 1959 model year Standard Microbus features factory pressed bumpers.  It's a little known fact that approximately the first 10,000 Buses in the 1959 model year were fitted with them at the factory and this Bus is one of the earliest of the very few of those examples still known to exist.
The Bus was discovered years back in a barn in Central California and has been in storage for many years.  Some features include the rebuilt original 36hp engine, rebuilt brakes, desirable factory 6 popout window option with spoon latches, original black California license plate, high taillights, bullet turn signals, an incredibly dry and honest original body, and all 3 rows of original seats!

The body is in great shape and displays nearly all of its factory original Mango Green and Seagull Grey paint.  The rust is very minimal with a little in the front floor corner wedges, a small approximately 1/2 inch by 4 inch "slot" on the cargo rocker, a little pin blistering on the dogleg triangle, tiny bumps forming on the long rocker and battery corner seam, and some surface rust where the paint peeled on the driver's roof.  The rain gutters are solid and even the battery tray is rock solid!  There is a spot of primer on the driver's rear corner where the corner was bonked long ago and a thin skim of filler was applied to get it smooth again.  The paint has a great sun fade and can hold a better shine with some buffing and waxing.  The original sigla laminated glass has some typical blistering and delamination so you might want to find some better pieces to swap them out at some point.  With a heavy detail, repaint the bumpers and wheels in a fresh coat of correct L82 Silver White, a little paint blending on that one corner, swap in some better glass, replace some of the window rubber, and a heavy polishing, this Bus will look and be incredible!

The interior is virtually complete minus the headliner.  It features all 3 rows of original seats with the front and middle being frames and the rear is still displaying original Caramel upholstery with some seams having let loose in the normal fashion.  The original Caramel interior panels have some typical warpage from their years and could be reboarded to get them looking great again.  All 3 of the original Caramel armrests are also present.  The dash is in nice shape, uncut, still displaying strong original Mango paint, and even has a original radio block off plate and the original ashtray still in place.  Install a new mohair headliner, new Caramel seat covers, reback the original panels, polish up the paint, and some other little details and it will look great inside as well.

Mechanically the Bus is bone stock with the rebuilt original 36hp engine, rebuilt brakes that were done a handful of years back, and the electrical system is still setup for 6 volts.  The Bus will still require a bit of revival such as tires, a 6 volt battery, some light electrical, and a checking of all systems in order to be trustworthy for regular use as it has been parked and undriven for a handful of years.  As it sits it will need to be towed but could be a full driver again with minimal work.  The split case transaxle is still in place and worked well when it was driven around the neighborhood years back.  Additionally the stock 15 inch Bus wheels are still present. 

This is a great chance to land a very honest, virtually untouched, and very rare early transitional Bus.  If you would enjoy owning a unique Bus that stands out from the crowd and still retains a great deal of its originality, this could well be the opportunity you've been waiting for. 

I will have additional pics including the interior, undercarriage, battery tray, and engine compartment by late this week.  Thanks!

Sale Pending!

Please note that this Bus is located in Southern California.

Please visit my website at www.holygrailgarage.com to see all of the pics of this Bus, more interesting Vintage VWs, Classic Cars, and Parts for sale.

Brendan Finn (858)366-2549
http://www.holygrailgarage.com
brendanfinn666@yahoo.com