Advert Description
Are you interested in this item? This item is up for auction at Catawiki. Please click on "respond to advert" (orange button) to get redirected to the Catawiki website. Catawiki’s goal is to make special objects universally available. Our weekly auctions feature thousands of unusual, rare, and exceptional objects you won’t find in just any store. 'Don't judge a book by its cover.' Because the first impression one gets of this wonderful and original Volkswagen T1 from 1959 is an impression of 'patina' and of an 'old' car. Until you look beyond this and consider all the upgrades!
The small rear window, the characteristic round tail lights and the conical turn signals... This is unmistakably a pre-1960s T1 van, and these are very rare. This nice T1 is nothing less than an original, German-built T1 panel van (type 21). It was built in February 1959 and subsequently sold in the United States. Of course it features the well-known small rear window. In the 1960s, the car was painted with the colours and logo of 'Graves Electric Co.' to give it its current characteristic look as company car. This company still exists and is located in Dickinson, Texas, USA. The van spent 55 years of its life in this dry region, which is why it has remained in such a good condition.
In 2015, the van was imported to the Netherlands from the United States. After five years of restorations, the van was approved in February 2020 by the inspection station of the Dutch National Road Administration, where a complete mechanical inspection was performed (admission + Dutch periodic vehicle inspection).
The following restorations have been carried out:
The bottom of the car has been completely welded wherever it was necessary. A new floor has been installed in the occupant compartment, new support parts above both front wheels have also been installed, as well as new jack point supports, a new battery box (at the rear right side) and new plates (at the rear left side). The lower part of the cargo doors has been fitted with new parts. All this has been professionally done by an expert.
The floor cross braces and longitudinal chassis beams are still completely original and in good condition (and have passed the mechanical inspection). Everything is visible. Nothing has been hidden away or sealed shut. What you see is what you get.
The upper part (of the bodywork) has been treated with Owatrol, the foremost specialist in protection and preservation, to protect the nice appearance of the patina and keep it the way it is. Considering this 62-year-old car's condition, with patina and without rusted parts, we deem it to be quality 2.
An adjustable, narrowed front axle has been installed. To contribute to the nice appearance, the rear axle has been lowered by one step.
The wheels have been fitted with new tyres (2020) and 15 inch BRM rims have been installed. They are still as good as new. (There is also one original spare wheel with a new tyre.)
The car has been completely checked; mechanically as well as electrically and cosmetically. All parts for which replacement was necessary have been replaced. There are invoices available with a total value of over €7,500!
To ensure extra reliability, a restored, non-original, 1200 cc engine from the correct period has been installed. It sweats a little but starts and runs excellently. Even when it has not been used for a while, it will still start after just a few strokes. A new crankshaft seal is included.
The engine and the electrical system have been fully converted to 12 Volt.
12 Volt lighting has been installed. This much better lighting which will ensure better visibility and safety.
A new turn-signal system has been installed.
All electrical systems have been repaired and/or retouched. Even the courtesy lights function properly.
The car still has its original gearbox and reduction hub. The gearbox shifts well.
A steering-box cover and steering damper have been installed.
The front axle bearings and seals have been replaced.
The front ball joints have been replaced.
The brake systems have been checked and a new brake-fluid reservoir has been installed.
A new front-to-rear brake line has been installed.
The car features a custom-made, American roof rack along the entire length of the roof. The roof rack comes with a decorative ladder.
There is a Blazecut fire-suppression system in the engine compartment.
An authentic yellow fog light has been installed on the front (this is decorative).
A new heating pipe has been installed under the van.
The exhaust extending from the muffler is new.
A new starter has been installed.
The interior has been upgraded to make it possible to take the car out for an overnight trip. The well-known rock 'n' roll bed with pillow has been installed. It has been upholstered with completely new upholstery in 2020. New curtains have been made and put up as well.
The front seats have been re-padded and reupholstered with fabric matching the design of the rock 'n' roll bed.
The car features a complete audio system, including an amplifier, wiring and a subwoofer. All that's left to be installed is a modern radio ;-)
The interior of the van is entirely lined with wooden panels (by Ricky's Bus Panels) and the wood has been treated. All doors, as well as the walls and the roof are lined with wooden panels.
The well-known 'pop-out' safari windows have been installed at the front.
New windshield wipers, including new axles, have been installed specifically for the pop-out windows.
A new windshield-wiper motor has been installed.
A main power switch has been installed.
Some of the rubbers of the doors and windows have been replaced.
After the completion of all these restorations, the car has driven less than 800 miles (1250 km).
All in all, it is a wonderful van and a sure attention grabber on every trip or car show. It is an ideal van to drive the way it is now or maybe to truly finish to perfection. In the latter case, this car will prove to be an excellent basis. Just remove the patina from the bodywork, straighten everything out and repaint it in its original colour (blue).
The van has a valid Dutch registration number and can be registered anywhere in Europe. The van passed the Dutch periodic vehicle inspection at the Dutch National Road Administration's inspection station in 2020. Because of its age (62 years old), this van never has to go through the Dutch periodic vehicle inspection again (I do not know if this is the same in other countries). The technical papers and the many receipts of the restorations and repairs will be included with your purchase of course.
The van is being sold 'as is'. This is a private sale, so a warranty does not apply. The van is located in Delden, the Netherlands. The van needs to be picked up within 14 days after the auction is closed. 67609287