Written by independent automotive journalist Roger C. Johnson

This 1956 Volkswagen 23-Window Microbus is headed for the spotlights on the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas stage.

Here’s a machine that challenges all accepted criteria for collectible vehicles. It doesn’t have those classic, flowing lines we all love so much. It doesn’t even provide average performance. And we could never describe it as attractive. It is simply a basic transportation device that is so unique in its functionality, people around the world have been falling in love with it for every generation since its inception in 1950.

The Volkswagen microbus is the second part of a one-two punch from the German automaker. Apparently, it wasn’t enough for the engineers to have produced a small passenger car for the mass market (the “people’s car”) that would go on to write its own history, so they decided to invent an entirely new market segment at virtually the same time – the Microbus.

This was no easy task, since after the war the Americans and especially the Brits pretty much managed the German auto industry. And at that time, it was in a state of extreme disrepair after the war’s impact on German industries. It was reported that Henry Ford II was approached by the English government about becoming involved with VW, but he didn’t like the car and thought it would be inappropriate for the American drivers, so he declined.

History has shown us that Volkswagen would not just return and maintain a share of the market, the company would establish a new standard for the global postwar auto industry. Greatness is always born in the presence of calamity.

The highly educated and talented engineer Heinz Nordhoff was destined to take charge of Volkswagen, which he did in January 1948. He began his career with BMW working in their airplane engine design group, so super-efficient air-cooled engines have always been in his blood.

The original VW engine sported a small cast-iron block with cast aluminum heads and pistons. A forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods rounded out the reciprocating components. A magnesium crankcase sealed the deal of sophistication. This is what powers this Samba bus headed to the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction at No Reserve. The stock 1100cc four-cylinder boxer engine is mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. This drive system is, for all intent and purposes, the same as the people’s car.

The original VW bus came about as a pencil sketch in 1947 by Ben Pon, who was a prominent Dutch businessman and import/export specialist. He was the first to sell the VW line outside of Germany in his homeland, and the first to have the foresight to market this brand in the United States.

This matching-numbers, right-hand-drive example retains all of its original charm and function, including those semaphore turn signals. This warning system can be traced back to the railroads of the 1840s and was re-engineered for automotive use over 100 years later by Volkswagen.

The concept of a passenger van for regular citizens was so timely and sensible that the design continued through 1967 – and the flower-power group loved it. By the ’70s, the personal van craze made a broader sweep through the U.S. market, although most of these were still just domestic, commercial-style vehicles modified with shag carpets, loud stereos and an aftermarket window or two punched into the rear side panels.

By 1984, a similar but updated product would be introduced by Chrysler Corporation and mass-marketed as a “minivan.” Just as the original example from Volkswagen put that company on the map, Chrysler’s version launched the American manufacturer back into the big leagues with equal gusto.

This 23-window “Samba” Volkswagen bus produced in 1956 was initially designed to incidentally provide the ultimate view of the German Alps, and the rest of the sky, to its first passengers and drivers, who happen to live in that neighborhood. There were only 2,072 copies of this machine produced that year, and there are far fewer right-hand-drive examples – like the one profiled here – that still remain.

The VW bus legacy is so resilient that, as we write this, Volkswagen is teasing us with a brand-new electric-powered version with all of hipness of the original, and more – proving once again that a great concept never dies.

Here’s your chance to own one of the most significant vehicles of our lifetime. Consider it a roving room with a great view for you and your best friends. And after 61 years, this is one VW bus ready to charge into the future with the same enthusiasm as it did in 1956. Just remember – you don’t have to be a hippie to enjoy the ultimate in hipness. Peace, baby.

21-FUN SALUTE: 1964 VOLKSWAGEN 21-WINDOW BUS

A beautiful example of the Type 2 Volkswagen Microbus – with 21 windows – will be joining its 23-window cousin on the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction block.

In the beginning, Volkswagen’s man in charge, Heinz Nordhoff, was not too keen on the idea of turning the masterful design of the people’s car concept into an ungainly looking bus. Little did he know the move would ultimately generate numerous new variations of that vehicle, as well as new market segments, all at the same time. It would be referred to internally as the Type 2.

The bus’ “barn-door” styling created a drag coefficient of .75, which made it public enemy number one to every cubic inch of air on the planet. After all, it was conceived with functional transportation as its only goal in life. Yet even in the early 20th century, engineers knew the importance of “streamlining” when it came to planes, trains and automobiles. So the prototype was taken to the wind tunnel at Braunschweig University of Technology in Germany for some additional aerodynamic grooming. When all was said and done, that drag coefficient was down to a surprising .44, which was even better than the .48 of the Type 1 Beetle. This may have been the very first intentional meeting of pure functionality and aerodynamics in the postwar auto industry.

The reason the 23-window sunroof deluxe bus was discontinued had to do with the addition of a wider rear door on the 1964 models. That larger entrance doorway simply took up more surface area, so something else had to give. That meant goodbye to the two small rear hatch windows on each side. We don’t see how their removal could possibly interrupt the view of the Alps, the Rockies, or any other mountain range with which you’d like to get acquainted. After all, this machine wasn’t code-named “Alpine” for nothing.

The 1964 model still took off running even if it only had a mere 21 windows. This particular one has been treated to a complete ground-up restoration and presents as new wherever you choose to look. A rare and fresh 1600cc 4-cylinder boxer engine pumping out 58 horsepower generates the forward motion, while a 4-speed manual transmission puts the action to the rear wheels.

Pick your viewing pleasure – 21 windows or 23. And don’t forget the sunroof literally on top of all that glass. Either way, you can own a unique piece of automotive history selling at No Reserve. This is a machine that’s destined to be adored, even cherished, by every single generation in your family.

– Roger C. Johnson

For up-to-date information on these and other vehicles on the Las Vegas Preview Docket, click HERE.