If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email news@derrynow.com at any time.
https://www.derrynow.com/section/1245/advertise-with-us
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
Rare 1957 Volkswagen Microbus expected to fetch huge sum at auction
There are few vehicles in the classic car community that create a buzz quite like a Volkswagen Microbus.
That’s why this incredibly rare 1957 23-window VW Microbus Deluxe Samba is expected to fetch such huge sums when it heads to auction.
This particular example was originally sold in the USA, so it’s a left-hand drive model. It was dry-stored for over 30 years before being shipped to the UK where it has undergone a light restoration. However, it has largely been left in its original state.
Its current condition sees the interior left mostly untouched, even coming with the original floor mats that it was fitted with when it came out of the factory 65 years ago. It’s also on steel wheels with whitewall cross-ply tyres for that fully authentic retro look.
Under the bonnet, the Samba’s 1.2-litre engine has been rebuilt to period specifications, meaning it will have just over 50bhp. It is not the original unit that came with the car, but has been mated to the original transmission.
The model has a two-tone orange and black paint job, with visible signs of imperfections to both the paint itself and the bodywork, indicating that there is still some work to be done to get it back to a factory-fresh condition.
The 23-window model was originally designed for touring scenic locations such as the Swiss Alps. The window count includes eight skylights, two curved rear, 10 side windows, a retractable skylight and the split windscreen.
This Microbus is up for auction on Car & Classic, and head of editorial Chris Pollitt said: “At a time when Volkswagen has just announced the launch of its 2022 ID Buzz microbus propelled by the (nowadays) ubiquitous electric power, if you want to experience the real thing it may be hard to choose between the modern, retro design, and this 1957 Samba, which is clearly increasing in value, desirability and rarity.”
The auction platform says previous record sales for this model were between £91,100 and £193,900.
To continue reading this article for FREE, please kindly register and/or log in.
Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!
Pupils from St John's PS Dernaflaw.
Missing Derry man Donal Kelly may be in Donegal
Donna has worked in the industry for 35 years
Centra Waterloo Place received the gold award for Centra High-Convenience Store of the Year.
Brooke performing in Turin. Pic by Andres Poveda.
Bernice McMaster and Donna English from the group.
Pupils from St John's PS Dernaflaw.
Brooke performing in Turin. Pic by Andres Poveda.
Brooke has been continuing the build-up to the competition semi final in Turin this week.
WATCH: Father Ted stars reunite in hilarious TikTok
Alan Robinson on stage in Magherafelt.
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill addresses the crowd on Saturday.
Forever Young Festival - where the ’80s come alive!
JOB ALERT: Want to join our team? Iconic Media is hiring journalists in Limerick and Kilkenny
Style stakes and charity race back on the cards at Punchestown 2022
Derry City set to be transformed by once-in-a-lifetime investment deal
Levelling Up: giving the power back to your local community
Bernice McMaster and Donna English from the group.
Colm Mc Colgan, ERNACT General Manager, with Mayors Alderman Graham Warke and Cllr Jack Murray
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.