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120 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE WINTER 2024THE HUMBLE VW BUS BECAME THE ICON OF AN ERA AND A COLLECTOR FAVORITEFLOWERPOWERWhen Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon, inspired by the popular VW Beetle, doodled a sketch of a van in a notebook in 1947, little did he know his invention would turn out to be the face of Woodstock, be featured on album covers and in films, and would become the first “home on wheels” for many a laidback traveler (well before #VanLife became a thing).Volkswagen approved the van for production in May 1949 and the first production model rolled off the assembly line that November. Two models were offered: the Kombi (known as an 11-window among American enthusiasts) and the Commercial. The Microbus was added in May 1950, joined by the Deluxe Microbus in June 1951. The DeLuxe model became known as the 15-window, while the sunroof DeLuxe – with its additional eight small skylight windows – is, accordingly, the 23-window. From the 1964 model year, the rear corner windows were discontinued, making it a 21-window. The VW Bus was an enormous success in America, becoming a symbol of the American counterculture movement in the 1960s and often referred to as the “hippie van” and painted in bright colors. It was affordable, easy to fix and large enough to live in, suiting itself for life on the road – the dream of many a young person at that time. With the engine located in the back of the bus, road trips were even more memorable when taking in the magical views through the big front window, which made occupants feel like they were part of the scenery.Be on the lookout for some decidedly groovy examples of early Volkswagen buses at the 2024 Scottsdale Auction, including the examples featured here.