1955 Volkswagen Van Sold for 233k: Not Hippie

Hippies loved the Camper and ever since Volkswagen opened the doors for their second car model the entire auto world would step into a new stage. Popularly known as the microbus, it was remembered rather as a cheap and noisy van youngsters would use for long road trips. But that was not the case with this particular 1955 Volkswagen T1 Fenster Barndoor Samba model, which sold for EUR190,000 ($233,000) the other day.

The Volkswagen Type 2 wears a multitude of names, from the Transporter to Kombi or Microbus, informally people would simply call it Camper. It’s a panel van introduced in 1950 as the German auto maker’s second model. It’s considered the model to give rise to forward control competitors in the United States in the 1960s, including the Ford Econoline, the Dodge A100 and the Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan.

Today, people remember this car because of its popularity during the counterculture movement of the 1960s, as the Hippie van. Needless to say, hippies were never really about expensive and luxurious vehicles, nor would they custom build their vans. Most likely, these cheap vans would get new paint works, colorful flowers and sunshines included. But the chances any of the Camper’s models would ever reach the price of a sportscar were almost zero. Until now, anyway.

The VW T1 Samba Barndoor with 23 windows was on sale until recently at a private auction in Germany and not only was it craved by local collectors, but it managed to sell for quite a shocking price. But let us look a bit closer.

First registered on March 7, 1955, in St.Christoph Arlberg, Austria, this rare beauty is one of only 11 existing Barndoor Sambas from 1955. Carrying its initial motor, a 1.2-liter engine capable of producing 30 horsepower, it comes with an amazing recorded mileage of 10,305 km (6,403 mi). It’s beautiful Sealingwax red / Chestnut brown exterior is harmoniously accompanied by its black seats interior.

Among some other particular features, what probably made this van so precious is the fact that it came with the original Austrian Papers, instruction manual, repair guide, crank, 1955 VW brochure, 16 inch bias ply tires and Samsonite leather suitcase along with a hazard triangle. According to the private auction this is probably one of the most original Barndoor Sambas in the world with history back to the first delivery and original papers.

1955 Volkswagen Van - photo gallery