Final recognized VW Sort 2 Schulwagen surfaces after 43 years

The final recognized Volkswagen Sort 2 Schulwagen, a model used to coach dealership employees, has resurfaced after 43 years.

Owned by collector Lind Bjornsen, the restored Schulwagen made its public debut final month in Huntington Seaside, California, on Worldwide VW Bus Day. The occasion celebrated the Sort 2, also called the Microbus, and marked the U.S. debut of the enduring van’s non secular (and electrical) successor—the Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

The Schulwagen, German for “college automobile,” happened after VW terminated its contract with U.S. importer Max Hoffman and arrange its personal U.S. division, Volkswagen of America (now a part of Volkswagen Group of America).

Taking up U.S. gross sales operations meant organising a seller community, which VW representatives Will Van De Camp and Geoffrey Lange began doing in 1954. The next yr that they had VW ship over three service tech trainers and a pair of Sort 2 vans to journey to dealerships and prepare employees to work on Beetles and Microbuses. Primarily based on the Sort 2 Kombi mannequin, the Schulwagen fleet ultimately totaled 14 autos costing greater than $5,000 every—making them the costliest VW fashions on the time.

Volkswagen Sort 2 Schulwagen

This Schulwagen sat in an Ohio barn for 43 years, in line with VW. It was bought by Bjornsen, who eliminated 10 layers of paint to seek out the unique Volkswagen of America lettering which, together with some distinctive tools like a rear workbench, proved the van’s provenance. The manufacturing unit subsequently confirmed that the barn discover was delivered to VW of America in January 1955. The van was then restored to unique situation over the course of 5 months.

Individuals must wait a bit longer for a brand new VW Bus. The ID.Buzz is scheduled to reach right here subsequent yr as a 2025 mannequin. It should deliver with it three rows of seats, a bigger battery pack, and a extra highly effective electrical motor than the variations already on sale in different markets. This high-end model of the electrical VW Bus in all probability will not be used for seller coaching, however it’ll have one thing in widespread with the Schulwagen. With an anticipated worth of about $65,000, it’ll even be among the many most costly Volkswagens at present on sale.