Volkswagen T1 Renate
Hardly anyone today can imagine buying a new car and keeping it for more than ten years. The temptations of modern technology such as connectivity, driver assistance systems and the like are too great. This makes stories about cars that have been or are still owned by the same family for a long time all the more attractive. One such vehicle was purchased in 2015 by the collection of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers (Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge Oldtimer, VWNO) in Hanover/Germany. It is a VW Type 2 of the T1 series, i.e. the first-generation van that fans affectionately call ‘Bulli’. In order to increase the desirability even more it is the rare ‘Nine Seater Special Model’ – more commonly known as ‘Samba’ – with additional small windows on the side of the roof and a large folding roof made of fabric.
This T1 was built in 1965 in the Volkswagen factory in Hanover, received a registration on VW for a short time on 20 May 1965 and was then delivered as a young used car to the VW employee Horst Schönbach and his wife Renate in Braunschweig. The couple were looking for a practical everyday car and were delighted with the two-tone paint scheme in beige-grey and sealing wax red. In contrast to other factory employees, the Schönbach family did not resell the Bulli after a short time, but kept it for a very long time. Soon three children were on board when they went shopping or on holidays. Father Horst proved his craftmanship and not only made a bed for the little ones in his garage at home that fitted perfectly between the front seats, but also a removable pop-up roof with integrated beds for the two older children and camping furniture for the interior. A tent could be attached to the right side of the vehicle, creating a 1000 star hotel for all family members.
The T1 proved its versatility time and again in everyday use, transporting not only human passengers but also cows and pigs. Apart from the weekly groceries, stones or shelves also fitted into the cargo area. For the children it served at some point as a practice car before they went to driving school and both daughters used the van for their weddings. Horst Schönbach carried out all important repairs and maintenance in his garage with its own pit. Only one thing the car never got: a name. In the language of the family it was simply “Grandpa’s bus”. However, the children and grandchildren of family Schönbach are not big car lovers and above all they are no mechanics. Thus, after more than 280,000 common kilometers, the decision was made in 2015 to sell the T1, also due to a progressive serious illness of Horst Schönbach.
After looking around for a suitable buyer for a while, the decision was made to go with VWNO. Son Ingo said at the sale: “I cannot imagine a more caring buyer than Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimer for this car”. Within the past five years the team in Hanover restored the van back to new condition. To do this, the car was dismantled down to the last nut and bolt and then stripped down to the bare metal. Afterwards, the mechanics of the classic car workshop welded all the parts that were damaged over the years and then had the car repainted in the original colors. The 32 kW/44 hp four-cylinder boxer engine drives the car from the rear again after all necessary work was done to it as well. With the completed car, VWNO employees now visited the Schönbach family, who unfortunately have had to do without their leader Horst since 2018. Grandma Renate had to shed a few tears when she saw the freshly restored Volkswagen on her doorstep. The three children and five grandchildren were no less pleased to see the classic vehicle in the best possible condition again. In addition, after 55 years the car was now officially christened ‘Renate’ together with the Volkswagen representatives. And one thing Horst Schönbach had been assures in writing in the purchase contract by VWNO: should his grandchildren ever marry, they may of course borrow and use this T1 for this purpose – after all, Renate must continue to be present for the family history.
Images: Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge, Familie Schönbach
