1957 Volkswagen Microbus De Luxe Samba 23 windows

This beautiful example of a 1957 VW Microbus De Luxe " Samba" VIN 198 804 was built on September 19, 1956. It left the factory on October 5, 1956 for the USA.

Originally two tone, L73 Chestnut Brown roof, and L53 Sealing Wax Red lower, with black upholstery. It is currently cream, with brown with a matching interior scheme.

This is a model 241, VW Microbus De Luxe "Samba" as verified by Stifting AutoMuseum Volkswagen. The options on this Samba include:

M 018 with hazard light installation
M 020 Speedometer and odometer in miles
M 090 Laminated Windscreen glass
M 143 Laminated glass for side windwos
M 086 can not be identified (we suspect US market item)

The Volkswagen Samba, in the United States also known as Sunroof Deluxe, was the most luxurious version of the T1. Volkswagen started producing Sambas in 1951.

Originally Volkswagen Vans were classified according to the number of windows they had. This particular model had 23 and later 21 windows including eight panoramic windows in the roof. To distinguish it from the normal 23 or 21-window Volkswagen van the name Samba was coined.

Instead of a sliding door at the side the Samba had two pivot doors. In addition the Samba had a fabric sunroof. At that time Volkswagen advertised with the idea of using the Samba to make tourist trips through the Alps.

Sambas were painted standard in two colors. Usually, the upper part was colored white. The two colored sections were separated by a decorative strip. Further the bus had a so-called "hat": at the front of the van the roof was just a little longer than the car itself to block the sun for the driver. The windows had chrome tables and the van had a more comprehensive dashboard than the normal T1.

When Volkswagen started producing the successor of the T1 (the T2) the company also stopped producing the Samba so there are no Sambas in later versions of the Transporter.

More pictures available at: https://www.importavehicle.com/vehicles/203/1957-volkswagen-microbus-de-luxe-samba