1954 VW Barndoor Transporter For Sale
This is a rare and desirable "barndoor" era VW Single Cab from 1954.
The earliest of the VW Bus models had features that set them apart from
the long line of refinements that came along in the later years.
The bare bones simplicity of the initial design and earliest production models
along with low production numbers, make these highly prized by collectors world wide.
This particular example is a 1954 model which is the last of the Barndoors really
(Ok...technically there are some out there titled as 1955's, but 54 was pretty much it.)
This truck was recently discovered in a collection in Alabama where it had been sitting for many years.
The story behind it was that the owner had bought it quite a while back in Texas and
drove it back to Alabama and then put it into storage. He mentioned that it may have been in
California prior to that, but we have no documentation of that. Currently it is in Southern California
and it has a clean California title.
We brought the truck to our private workshop for a revival and clean up.
Getting it re-started and functioning to the point of it being able to
start, run, drive and brake. Its still on the aged tires it was found with
and Im sure it will require some basics before really putting it into heavy use
but its at a great jumping point now.
We also did a lot of preservation work to the truck to give it a decent appearance
and bring out the natural beauty that was below the years of grime and random rattle can
touch up spots. A lot of hours went into it and it most certainly is not perfect
but it has a really cool and attractive patina that just seems fitting for an old truck.
The body on this one is in really nice shape.
The paint is not the original finish, but it has a great original vibe to it.
Very straight nose.
Nice fit to the body panels, and it looks great.
Glass is original and in great shape.
Wipers are missing.
Gates are straight and it is smooth down the sides.
Correct taillights, third brake light deck lid and rear reflectors.
Bumpers are the correct originals. Left rear bumper bracket is broken and the blade is wired in place.
Truck has the correct 16" wheels with chrome hubcaps.
The bed appears very solid and was cleaned and coated with a matching blue paint
and aged to blend in with the patina of the truck.
The roof has several areas of wear through to an ivory color paint below.
There are other spots with similar wear through the but the roof has the most of it.
Factory semaphore turn signals on these early models.
The simplistic interior of the "working class" Barndoor Busses is so cool.
Simple single gauge and a three spoke steering wheel.
The seat upholstery was redone on the seat bottom at some point, the seat back is original but obviously
the thread has gone weak and the seam has blown out on the side.
It does look like much of the interior was repainted at some point.
Steering wheel is original and in nice shape
Original gauge pod with the proper ignition switch and such.
We have not yet tested all the electrics, but it does start and run and the
semaphores will work with a little help on the outside
Im sure some cleaning and lubricating stuff will help a lot.
Original floor mat
Foot rest bar
Grab handle
Door panels have aged but are holding
Floors look pretty solid in this old truck!
Heres a couple pics with the drivers side semaphore on.
Mirror glass is cracked but we have replacement glass for it.
Roof looks very solid
A couple small blisters along the lower seam but not seeing any really scary rust or repairs on the body.
Nice and straight!
A peek in from the passenger side
Hand crank for the engine is included.
Bed has some waves and dents to it, but certainly expected from an old workhorse like this.
Some dings and dents on the inner parts of the gates as well
Rear tailgate has some metal cracking near the hinges.
This should probably be dealt with if you really plan to use it heavily.
The rear gate has a step built into it that of course invites weight and stress that
the side gates never get...so its a common issue.
There is one spot on the bed where a patch has been done, the rest looks to be all original sheet metal
3rd brakelight
Taillight
Reflector
Under the bed storage looks solid.
The access panels for the tank area are loose underneath
Fuel tank
Underneath there is surface rust and a couple of spots of rust through,
but overall its pretty darn solid.
New master cylinder installed, new brake hoses and the wheel cylinders
were cleaned and new rubber bits installd.
Rockers look very solid and sound on both sides
Muffler has a hole in it and should be replaced (and is the incorrect one anyway)
Along the back edge of the chassis there is some rust through.
The frame looks solid but this one outrigger and the cross support in the middle have rusted out.
The engine is believed to be the original one to the truck as the dates and engine codes match up
with the dates for the chassis number, Only a birth certificate from VW will say for sure
but it is looking correct to me.
New 6 volt battery
The cross bar above the engine was cut at some point to allow easier access to the engine...a shame
but it is what it is.
Anyway...that's about it, the good and the bad of it.
Its not without flaw but it looks like a pretty honest old truck that has had a reasonably good life.
I think it would be cool to leave it as it is and just make it a reliable runner
and save that patina, but if you wanted to restore it to perfection
its a pretty darn good basis to start with.
Love that big ol bed!
You can put the world in there!!
The key chain has a cool dealer tag from New York...did it spend its earliest days there?
Are you the next one to turn the key?
Just reach out to the contacts below to discuss it further.
Open to realistic offers, but no trades on this one.
Asking
$60,000
For More Info...CALL
951 795-1175
or Email oldbug@earthlink.net