SOLD! 1963 Mouse Grey and Pearl White Standard Microbus, Original Paint!
1963 Mouse Grey and Pearl White Standard Microbus, Original Paint!
Here's a very cool and super affordable Bus for original paint and patina lovers. The Bus was recently pulled out of a barn where it had been parked since 1989. The owner very time-consumingly and carefully razor-bladed off three coats of aftermarket paint to uncover the beautiful Mouse Grey and Pearl White paint which is approximately 75% original. He also revived the Bus by installing a new 6 volt battery, going through the fuel system, bleeding the brakes, and the Bus is now running and driving on the original factory optioned 1500 single port engine and stock 1963 reduction box transaxle. Other cool features include having all 3 rows of seats, being a desirable factory 6 popout window Bus, and it's possible that the Bus has just 77,000 original miles.
The body is clean and generally straight with some dents and dings that you'd expect to see on a 47 year old original paint Bus. The paint is approximately 75% original and has a very cool fade pattern. It has been buffed and waxed and looks nice. There is a little bit of waviness in the long panel but nothing major. The nose is near perfect with no signs of accident damage, roof is very nice, and the corners are great as well. The front driver's floor corner will require a patch and there is a small hole the size of a quarter in the passenger's front floor. The rear floor is super nice with no rust. There are some small blisters on both rockers and some perforation on the inner rocker but nothing crazy. The battery tray will need attention as it has a nice sized hole in it. The jack points and outriggers are all very solid and nice as well. All of the glass is German, the windshields were previously replaced, and all of the rubber is hard and dry from age. Both of the correct slashed end bumpers are intact including splash pans and look good with rattle can respray on them.
The interior is mostly complete and features all 3 rows of seats, original 1/3rd-2/3rds front with new TMI cover, correct middle with no cover or grab bars, correct rear bottom, and the rear backrest is from a Bay window Bus. The Basalt Grey panels are there with some water damage on them from water getting through the window seals and speakers were cut in the front door panels. There is a cloth headliner which will require some attention as well as it has begun to pull away from behind the middle seat back to the passenger's rear corner. The dash is nice and uncut as well.
Mechanically the Bus is a runner with the original 1500 single port, stock transaxle, correct 15 inch slotted Bus wheels, the front tires are new and the rears will be replaced with new before the Bus leaves. The electrical system is still factory 6 volt and features a new battery. The brakes were bled and adjusted but a system rebuild will probably be needed in the near future as they will likely start leaking following the long hibernation. The engine is strong and runs well and the trans shifts smoothly with no jumping out of gear. There are some signs of originality which lead us to believe that the Bus has just 77,000 original miles as the odometer shows but that is not know to be a fact.
Overall this is a very cool looking and virtually complete early Bus with very little rust. It is priced to sell quickly and I'll be very surprised if it isn't sold within a matter of days. Thanks!
SOLD!
*Please note that this Bus is located in Central California.
Please visit my website at www.holygrailgarage.com to see the full album of pics of this Bus, other Vintage VWs, Classic Cars, and Parts for sale.
Brendan Finn (858)366-2549
http://www.holygrailgarage.com
brendanfinn666@yahoo.com
