1957 23 Window Deluxe Microbus For Sale
This is a Great Classic VW 23-Window Bus
Pressed Bumpers, Factory Front Safari Windows, Rotisserie Restoration, One of just 3514 1957 Sambas Made!
This is a fully restored 1957 23 Window VW Bus for sale. Renowned VW Bus restorer Jeff Gagnon of Vintage VW restored this bus over a 5-year period from 2005-2010. The bus underwent a complete rotisserie restoration with all suspension parts removed and the body was stripped down to a bare shell. All parts were blasted and restored to like new condition. Jeff has restored several buses for me (John Snell from Sunset Classics) and his work is first class. A new 1776cc engine was installed about 300 miles ago and the bus has approximately 1500 miles on it since it was finished. This 1957 VW Samba has had all the "bugs" worked out of it and it is ready to cruise the miracle mile.
As many of you know, these deluxe VW Buses have proven to be fantastic investments. In 2011 a new record was set at auction with a 1963 23 Window VW Bus selling for $217,800 (including buyer's premium). December of 2014 saw a new record with a 1955 23 Window Deluxe selling for a cool $235,000. With so few of these early 23 Window versions existing, and with demand only increasing as people learn about these beautifully designed sunroof buses, the sky is the limit for what nicely restored examples of these iconic buses could bring in the future. I have specialized in collecting and selling VW Buses for many years, and I have only had the pleasure to sell one other restored 23 Window Bus (a 1961 Samba also restored by Jeff Gagnon). Finding one of these buses for sale in this condition is rare indeed.
Unlike some investments, this is one you and your family can actually ENJOY! Driving any split window bus is magical, but being behind the wheel of a 23 Window sunroof Bus is as good as it gets. This '57 has factory front safari windows, so not only does the bus have 6 pop out side windows and a full length sunroof and eight beautiful skylights, the front windows open so you can feel the wind in your face as well as having the sky and beautiful view overhead. Imagine driving this bus through Mountain passes or scenic wooded areas. You will feel like you are a part of any scenery you choose to travel through. And with three full bench seats, you can take eight of your closest friends and family with you and give them the experience of a lifetime. This 23-Window Samba provides an experience greater than anything you can put a dollar figures on. And with values continually rising, you could probably have years of enjoyment and enjoy a handsome profit should you choose to sell it in the future.
The original color offered through mid 1958 for these Deluxe Buses was Sealing Wax Red below Chestnut Brown. This bus was painted the '58 and later colors Beige Grey over Sealing Wax Red. If a person ever wanted to bring the bus back to the '57 color it would just be the top half of the bus that would have to be painted. The engine compartment and other hard to paint areas (such as the interior and dash) are already correctly painted Sealing Wax Red. But like many people the seller preferred the brighter colors vs the very dark brown. And the colors on this bus are VW colors.
There are many unique features to 1957 and older VW Buses that help make this early example very special and collectable. The most noticeable and desirable are the existence of pressed bumpers. In mid 1958 saw a round bumpers (with overrider bars if the bus was destined for the US market) and this style bumper was used through 1967. So it is easy to spot a mid '58 or older bus as they were the only ones to have pressed bumpers. Just one of these early bumpers can set a person back over $1000 even in rough condition (if you could ever even find one for sale). The two bumpers with new deluxe trim really set this 23 Window Deluxe bus apart from others for sale.
Early unique features include:
- Pressed front and rear bumpers
- Ribbed inner door handles
- Hooked interior coat hooks
- Shifter located close to the front bench seat (this bus also includes an aftermarket locking shifter)
- Flat back seats
- Brake light on the deck lid (used on the '57 model only)
- Bubble tail lights
- Rear reflectors
- Metal interior grab handles
Other 1961 and older features include:
- Bullet front turn signals
- High hinges on the cargo doors
- Square drink tray
- Big spoon side pop out window latches (which allows the windows to pop out very wide)
If you have always wanted one of these rare Samba Deluxe VW Buses, this could be the one you have been waiting for. This is an extremely nice example that is in nearly perfect condition. Please have a look through the over 200 photos and the videos below to fully appreciate this rare bus. And thank you for checking out this 1957 23 Window VW Bus we have for sale!
CHECK THIS OUT! A Matching 1957 Oval Window Beetle Sunroof!
