1965 Deluxe Microbus - Twenty-One Windows and One Sunroof

I often joke that the Deluxe Microbus has more holes than windows. With all those windows, rust is inevitable. If this is a problem for you, move to the Southwest.

Deluxe Microbus Parts

The 21 window (as well as the earlier 23 window) Deluxe models have additional trim inside and outside of the bus. This trim includes:

• Sunroof
• Luggage Bars
• Chrome Ashtrays
• Bars and Handles above rear seats and in front of front passenger seat and middle seat.
• Coat Hooks and Courtesy Loops (those things you grab onto when you enter or exit the van)
• Light-colored steering wheel and horn button
• Clock
• Radio (if installed at dealer)
• Outside beltline trim
• Chrome Hubcaps and VW Logos

Often these items are decayed and need restoration, or are missing. Parts costs increase about %10-15 every year. Eventually, it will be difficult or impossible to find sunroof parts, for example. All these parts have made this bus a target for theft - with many pieces ending up at Pamona or other large used part outlets.

When is a Deluxe a Deluxe?

You see an ad for a 21 window bus. Being new to the hobby, you go to check it out. To your horror, the bus has a front bench seat and a wall that prevents you from walking from the front to the rear. How could this be?

The "Standard" Deluxe model has a front bench seating area. With the seats divided into a 1/3 (driver) and 2/3 (passenger) configuration. A wall divides the front and rear compartments (the spare tire fits ahead of this wall behind the front seats.

Volkswagen really didn't sell a unique base deluxe model, but that's what quite a few ended up being as buyers opted for front bench seats and a few less pop-out windows. What's important to remember is that in the 60's, bench seats were very popular. Even a few Mustangs had bench seats - a very rare delete option.

Most people don't understand this, and assume that all Deluxe models have a walkthrough aisle.

As mentioned on the main page, my bus also had European bumpers (no over-riders) and only two pop-outs per side. I recently saw this bus for sale, same year, same configuration:

These Deluxes will never be prized like the walk-through models. Usually the price differential is anywhere from $5-$10k (that's thousands). As prices rise, the differential will surely be greater. For this reason, I would consider this model more for the bargain hunter enthusiast than the investor.

On the plus side, you get better rear visibility and structural integrity...