Historic 1967 VW Hippie Bus For Sale
The split screen VW Bus has become a true icon of the 60's through its connection
to the free spirited hippie movement of the time. Period photos of Woodstock
and the streets of the Haight Ashbury district were littered with VW Busses .
Their ability to haul a bunch of folks and all their gear along with the
spacious and private interior that you could sleep, party, and whatever you liked in privacy
made the perfect rolling party house for the adventure lover and protester alike.
While the days of Woodstock and the whole 60's era far behind us, and the values of vintage
VW Busses climbing to the stratosphere they way they have, the population of genuine
survivors of the era that have not shed their colorful exteriors for fresh coats of paint are very very few.
Bessie here however has survived and thrived through incredible adventures.
The history of where this crazy Bus has traveled and the characters it has carried
could make for a Hollywood movie or a very intriguing museum display.
Bessie has seen it all!
From its days traveling with the Grateful Dead to its duties as the cross country
transport for the legendary Mother Earth's Healing Circus, its near death moment in the 1990s
and its rescue and rebirth at the hands of a VW scene legend.
Bessie has a lot of soul and if filled with incredible vibes.
Safari windows have been added up front
Being originally a Sundial camper, Bessie has the crank out
side windows with screens and curtains.
Some cool ephemera and historic touches that remain
in its interior, that was cleaned and restored in the 90's
Just a few of the event plaques from shows that Bessie has been displayed.
Pay no attention to this sign!
All fresh paneling and insulation was installed at the time of its revival,
A few choice vintage accessories added.
The hand painted dash and natural fiber wrapped grab handle
Zig Zag rolling papers in the psychedelic ashtray.
The body and chassis are overall quite solid including the floors
A few memories from the Living Folklore Medicine Show
that was a part of the Mother Earth's Healing Circus.
Great patina wherever you look
Bessie was featured in an ad that appeared in the Wall Street Journal!
Signs and story boards that tell the tale all come with it.
Bessie the Queen of Love!
She even appeared in the book VW Busses, the first 50 years
with a photo of Bessie as found in the 90's after being stripped to a carcass to be sold for parts.
Fortunately Jerry Jess, a beloved legend in the VW scene stepped in, bought all the parts
and chased down the original clowns and artists that traveled in the Bus to help with its rebirth.
This scrapbook is filled with incredible photos and ephemera from Bessie's glory days
of traveling with the Healing Circus.
Ram Dass, Ken Kesey, the list of key figures in the scene that the Healing Circus worked with
and entertained is a truly colorful and amazing voyage.
Performing on the street in Philadelphia,
road repairs along the way and the wild spirits that were along for the ride.
Seriously...this could make for an incredible film.
Written accounts from the folks that traveled in Bessie tell the most amazing tales!
Read this all if you can...its so fantastic!
The story of how Bessie came into the hands of the main character, the founder
of the Mother Earth's Healing Circus is pure magic.
After Bessie's revival she was actually used in film in 2004 in a movie called Rain Makers.
A full album of images of the filming and a cast member t-shirt are included.
Here is a still from the movie...Bikers and Hippies not playing nice together!
A commemorative plaque is fixed to the nose from its revival and the mechanic
that did the work to bring her back to life, new wiring, brakes, engine, etc.
So much cool stuff.
The seats in Bessie are buckets from some other vehicle
but they are amazingly comfortable and are adorned with genuine vintage
Grateful Dead concert shirts that are probably worth a pretty fat grip of money these days.
Hand decorated speedometer
VW radio in the dash (not working)
Tons of little trinkets and souvenirs throughout
The green canvas bag in the back here has the poles for a side tent that is included in the sale.
Some cool vintage decals remain in the windows
Still a lot of the original artwork remains on the Bus as well as a bit that was redone by the
original circus members and artists during its revival.
Excellent tires all the way around
Good running 1600cc dual port engine,
Bessie is a great driver, ready for road trips and continued adventures.
The main Healing Circus graphic on the drivers side is spectacular.
This was painted by R. Wall, and artist that has gone on to great fame in
mural painting and his work is fantastic!
There is a bit of a wrinkle at the base of the drivers door as you can see
but the door opens and closes without issue. This and other bumps and bruises
as well as a few blisters and patches here and there just add some character to the Bus.
Character of course is an understatement when it comes to Bessie!
The passenger side Alice in Wonderland artwork is also original with
minor touch ups and looks really cool up close.
Definitely history on wheels here.
This is an absolute crowd pleaser wherever you go.
Full length roof rack and accessory side step
Rare two tone import 3d Bus taillight lenses are mega rare.
And underneath it all is a 1967 Sundial camper that in its own right is a cool ride.
If you search YouTube for "Carchaeology VW Bus" I am sure you will find
the videos of the Bus and the full story. It is a long strange trip indeed.
The goal with this sale is to find someone that truly "gets it" and wants to preserve and share
the story and wild past with others. A museum would be awesome, but so would be
an enthusiast that will continue to travel and spread the love within Bessie to others.
If you are the kind of person to want to strip it all down and restore it...please move along.
This one deserves nothing more than preservation!
Asking just
$26,000
For More Info...CALL or text
951 795-1175
Or Email oldbug@earthlink.net