1976 Volkswagen Bus

1976 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi Bus Type 2 have a long and storied history in the United States going back to 1949 up until this very day with the introduction of the ID.Buzz electric van that was due to arrive in dealer's showrooms sometime in 2024. Type 2's were also part of the U.S. Chicken Tax in the early 60's when West Germany and France put tariffs on U.S. chicken and in return, President Johnson enacted a 25% tariff on imports that included light trucks. This curtailed the import of light trucks but did not include passenger vans so that configuration of the Type 2 was spared. For consignment, a 1976 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi bus showing 90,383 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This storied van served a mural artist for 30 years, travelling to 32 states, (behind an RV), to work his craft, and having seen three engines and two transmissions. There's so much you can do with this Kombi bus, but if you happen to be a mobile artist, your ship has just come in! Exterior In the words of our consignor, the artwork evolved over the years from signs to mural work to pinstriping and it has retained all of it to this day. While the top half of the van presents in white, the lower section contains a continuous mural including mountains, waterways, and trees. Above that, lettering abounds, a Pegasus spreads its wings on each side while pirates, birds and other wildlife along with pinstripe flourishes color additional panels, all on a yellowish cream base. A front tow bar leads the way stowed over a spare tire while the pop up is bordered in yellow and intact when extended. Imperfections include metal work that shows age, numerous cracks in the paint, flaking paint over surface rust on the drip rails, and numerous spots of bubbling. Interior Saddle vinyl door panels contrast with the typical VW black hardware, including the vent that doubles as an armrest and other than some looseness at the bottom, the panels are in decent shape. Camel and tan vinyl bucket seats are supplied up front in decent shape with a tear in the base of the passenger seat. The black dash and two spoke steering wheel all show some age but it's all there, plus an AM/FM/Cassette radio in the middle under a dash mounted fan looking remarkably period correct. And speaking of period, there's a Cobra CB radio on board and the microphone is connected to the floor mounted shifter. A ribbed rubber mat covers the floor. In back, a canvas for creativity with an artist's drafting table like surface accompanied by a chair that was in every school in 1976. A cord is strung on one side equipped with clothespins with which to hang your fresh finger paint or pastel. The headliner and pop up are in good shape with some staining and the way back wears some well worn carpet. Windows are covered with film that doubles as signage. Drivetrain In back we have a 1600cc flat four cylinder engine producing 47 horsepower with a 1-barrel carburetor and 4-speed manual transmission. Gearing in back is 4.875 and power brakes are provided as front power disc and rear power drum. Undercarriage Plenty of surface rust exists on this driver quality underside, along with a coating of oil on the transmission. The dual exhaust and stock style muffler are tinged by surface rust but intact while we note some flaking rust on a frame rails and where the battery box once was. There are a few spots where grease has accumulated, but the knuckles are in decent condition. Suspension includes a front torsion arms and a transverse torsion bar in back. Drive-Ability We grab our #4 precision brush, some gouache, and a beret and head out into the vast unknown, or as we like to call it, our test loop. Despite sub 100 horsepower numbers, these vans can feel not quick per se, but spry and with the forward cab quite fun to navigate. On our artistic adventure, we note the horn, turn signals, brake lights, tail lights, and heater blower not working. Sacre' bleu also, the brakes feel a bi