1966 Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus Westfalia-Style Pop Top, Custom Build Why This Car Is Special The 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 occupies a specific and well-documented place in automotive history. Volkswagen introduced the Type 2 officially the Transporter, though most people know it simply as the Bus or Microbus in 1950, and by the mid-1960s it had evolved into one of the most practical and culturally recognizable vehicles on the road. The second generation, known among enthusiasts as the Bay Window, wouldn't arrive until 1968. That means this 1966 example is a late-production first-generation Type 2, part of what collectors call the 'splitscreen' era named for the two-piece divided windshield that defined the front end of all first-gen buses. The first-generation Type 2 was built from 1950 through 1967, and the 1966 model year sits right at the sweet spot of that run: mechanically mature, with seventeen years of incremental refinement behind it, but still carrying the flat front end, barn-door proportions, and rear-engine layout that make these vehicles so immediately identifiable. VW built the Type 2 in Wolfsburg and later Hannover, exporting tens of thousands to the United States throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Surviving first-generation buses in usable, customized condition are increasingly difficult to find, partly because rust claimed so many of them and partly because the ones that survived have become collectible enough to price out of daily use. This particular 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 has been built out as a camper-style cruiser with a Westfalia-style pop-top roof, a rear sleeping/cargo bed, a roof rack with auxiliary lights, and a 110-volt inverter with plug-in access meaning it functions as a short-trip weekend vehicle right now, without additional work. The flower power custom paint and the green and white two-tone vinyl interior make clear that this bus was built to be enjoyed, not stored. It's a usable, expressive piece of 1960s Americana that happens to be mechanically sorted and ready to drive. Features List Fresh air-cooled flat-4 engine rebuild Fresh 4-speed manual transmission Upgraded performance air filter Dual quad exhaust tips New disc brakes (front upgrade) Westfalia-style pop-top roof Roof rack with auxiliary driving lights Exterior rear spare tire mount with full-size spare Chrome front and rear bumpers Chrome trim wheels Custom green and white vinyl interior Wood panel interior accents Curtained rear windows VDO speedometer Rear sleeping/cargo bed 110-volt plug-in with onboard inverter Flower power custom exterior paint Mechanical The heart of any 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 is its air-cooled flat-4, mounted in the rear and cooled entirely by a belt-driven fan no radiator, no coolant, no water pump to fail. From the factory, the 1966 Type 2 came with a 1500cc engine producing roughly 42 horsepower, and later in the model year VW transitioned to the 1600cc unit. The engine in this bus has been freshly rebuilt, which on an air-cooled Volkswagen is straightforward and well-documented work these engines were designed to be rebuilt, with widely available parts and a mechanic base that spans decades. The upgraded performance air filter visible in the engine bay is a practical addition that improves airflow and simplifies servicing. The 4-speed manual transmission has also been freshly rebuilt. On first-generation Type 2 buses, the transmission and transaxle are integral to the rear suspension geometry, so a freshly sorted gearbox matters both for reliability and handling. Dual quad exhaust tips exit from the rear below the spare tire mount, giving the exhaust a period-custom look that suits the build. One of the most meaningful mechanical upgrades on this bus is the conversion to front disc brakes. Factory first-generation Type 2 buses came with four-wheel drums, which are adequate at low speeds but show their limits in modern traffic. Disc brakes up front reduce stopping distan WeBe Autos Specializes in Marketing and Advertising Muscle, Classic, Vintage and Specialty Cars. We offer Professional Photography, HD Movies, and Staging that Sells Cars. Let us showcase and sell your specialty car. Please visit our website for more details. Keep in Touch, Michael Runnalls Specialty Car Marketing & Media WeBe Autos Ltd. Long Island, NY 11780 Michael@WeBeAutos.com www.WeBeAutos.com (O)631-339-0399 (C)516-729-2003 Skype: webeautos (F)631-389-2605 - - - Contact Michael Runnalls at 631-339-0399 or Michael@WeBeAutos.com for more information. -
