Volkswagen T1 Restoration

If the managing director of a car dealership is infected with the classic car virus, it is no wonder that there are theme-fitting cars parked the showroom. It goes without saying that often not only the brand actually offered by the dealership is the main topic of the classic car collection, but also that it is possible to think outside the box. A corresponding example can be found in the Taunus Mountains directly on the river Lahn in the tranquill village of Braubach in Germany. Here you can find Schöntges Automobile, a Ford dealer under the management of Andreas Vierzefski, and a branch of the Foerster GmbH car dealership in Koblenz. Of course there are numerous new cars and young used cars in his parking lot. But there is also really old sheet metal in more than representative conditions. Recently, the in-house workshop restored a Volkswagen T1 built in 1964 to the condition in which it had once left the factory in Hanover.

The ‘Bulli’, as German-speaking fans nicknamed it, went to the USA by sea freight at the end of April 1964, where it was first delivered in Grand Rapids in July. Unfortunately, Volkswagen’s factory documents don’t reveal whether it was Grand Rapids in Ohio, Minnesota or Michigan. The vehicle with chassis number 1 287 791 was fitted ex works with a split driver’s compartment rear wall, split front seats and six opening side windows as well as a bicolor paint scheme in turquoise and blue-white with upholstery in como green. Schöntges Automobile received this information in the same way that any owner of a classic Volkswagen can use it: By requesting the ‘birth certificate’ from Volkswagen Classic Parts. The T1 itself had been acquired accident-free in Germany, to which it had been returned in the course of its car life. However, there was no way around a complete restoration.

While our picture gallery only shows the almost completed final state of the T1, interested parties can take a look at the extensive work that was necessary to get this van back on the road. The vehicle was completely disassembled and the body was then ice-blasted. The mechanics then welded new sheet metal in damaged areas and prepared the body for repainting. At the same time, the engine, transmission and axles received a complete overhaul, in which damaged and worn parts were replaced by new components. On the final pictures after the assembly of the car, the large VW logo on the front and the tire on the spare wheel in the trunk are still missing. Nevertheless, an expert opinion classifying the vehicle as a classic car according to §23 of the StVZO (German road traffic licensing regulations) came to a solid condition grade 2, while the TÜV issued an individual type approval.

Deviating from the as-delivered condition, the Bulli received a full leather interior in grey during restoration. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine in the rear wasn’t changed technically. It remained therefore with the original 32 kW/44 hp. Even if the new speedometer shows a mileage in the single-digit range, Schöntges Automobile doesn’t hide the former mileage of 44,629 miles. Those interested in this T1 can contact the car dealership directly:

Schöntges Automobile
Im Rosenacker 10 – 12
D 56338 Braubach
Telefon +49 (0)2627 264982201

Images: Schöntges Automobile, Miranda-Media Presseservice