The Volkswagen T1, officially called the Type 2 and often nicknamed the “Microbus” or “Kombi,” was introduced in 1950 as Volkswagen’s second production model after the Beetle. Conceived by Dutch importer Ben Pon, the idea was to create a practical, rear-engined van using the Beetle’s mechanicals but with a spacious, boxy body for carrying people or cargo. Built at VW’s Wolfsburg plant and later in Hannover, the T1 quickly became an icon of postwar mobility, appealing to tradespeople, families, and later the hippie counterculture movement of the 1960s. Its simple mechanics, durable construction, and distinctive split windshield made it a worldwide symbol of practicality and freedom.

The T1 was produced in multiple configurations, including panel vans, passenger microbuses, deluxe “Samba” versions with skylight windows, and pickup variants with single or double cabs. Special versions such as ambulances and camper conversions by companies like Westfalia broadened its appeal. In addition to German production, the T1 was manufactured in other countries, most notably in Brazil, where it remained in production until 1975—well after it had been replaced in Europe by the T2. Brazilian models often incorporated local adaptations and extended the T1’s legacy in South America, making it a fixture in the region’s automotive history.

This particular ‘kombi’ is a 1964 Brazilian ‘Samba’ model that has been converted to a desirable 23-window configuration. In the early 2020’s, it received a comprehensive cosmetic and mechanical restoration in Florida (USA), which was further improved by us in 2025 by performing metalwork and repainting part of the body. This exciting VW bus comes with a set of 1964 manuals, restoration photos, and service records, and it is a fantastic opportunity for a fun family runabout, a mobile business, or the base for a performance upgrade.