1964 Volkswagen 21 Window Samba Bus
Specifications
Engine: OHV rear-mounted 4-stroke
Displacement: 91.10 cu. in.
Horsepower: 53 hp @ 4,200RPM
Torque: 78.1 ft-lb @ 2,600RPM
Transmission: 4-speed manual
A Little History
The Volkswagen Type 2, known officially as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, is a forward control panel van introduced in 1950 by Volkswagen as its second car model. Following – and initially deriving from Volkswagen’s first model, the Type 1 (Beetle) – it was given the factory designation Type 2. The Volkswagen Samba, in the United States also known as Sunroof Deluxe, was the most luxurious version of the Transporter.
Volkswagen started producing Sambas in 1951. Originally, Volkswagen vans were classified according to their number of windows. The Transporter had 23, and later 21, windows including 8 panoramic windows on 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. The bus also 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 Transporter.
