Why This Car Is Special

The 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 occupies a specific and well-documented place in automotive history. Volkswagen introduced the Type 2 — officially the Transporter, though most people know it simply as the Bus or Microbus — in 1950, and by the mid-1960s it had evolved into one of the most practical and culturally recognizable vehicles on the road. The second generation, known among enthusiasts as the Bay Window, wouldn't arrive until 1968. That means this 1966 example is a late-production first-generation Type 2, part of what collectors call the "splitscreen" era — named for the two-piece divided windshield that defined the front end of all first-gen buses.

The first-generation Type 2 was built from 1950 through 1967, and the 1966 model year sits right at the sweet spot of that run: mechanically mature, with seventeen years of incremental refinement behind it, but still carrying the flat front end, barn-door proportions, and rear-engine layout that make these vehicles so immediately identifiable. VW built the Type 2 in Wolfsburg and later Hannover, exporting tens of thousands to the United States throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Surviving first-generation buses in usable, customized condition are increasingly difficult to find, partly because rust claimed so many of them and partly because the ones that survived have become collectible enough to price out of daily use.

This particular 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 has been built out as a camper-style cruiser with a Westfalia-style pop-top roof, a rear sleeping/cargo bed, a roof rack with auxiliary lights, and a 110-volt inverter with plug-in access — meaning it functions as a short-trip weekend vehicle right now, without additional work. The flower power custom paint and the green and white two-tone vinyl interior make clear that this bus was built to be enjoyed, not stored. It's a usable, expressive piece of 1960s Americana that happens to be mechanically sorted and ready to drive.

Features List

Fresh air-cooled flat-4 engine rebuild Fresh 4-speed manual transmission Upgraded performance air filter Dual quad exhaust tips New disc brakes (front upgrade) Westfalia-style pop-top roof Roof rack with auxiliary driving lights Exterior rear spare tire mount with full-size spare Chrome front and rear bumpers Chrome trim wheels Custom green and white vinyl interior Wood panel interior accents Curtained rear windows VDO speedometer Rear sleeping/cargo bed 110-volt plug-in with onboard inverter Flower power custom exterior paint

Mechanical

The heart of any 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 is its air-cooled flat-4, mounted in the rear and cooled entirely by a belt-driven fan — no radiator, no coolant, no water pump to fail. From the factory, the 1966 Type 2 came with a 1500cc engine producing roughly 42 horsepower, and later in the model year VW transitioned to the 1600cc unit. The engine in this bus has been freshly rebuilt, which on an air-cooled Volkswagen is straightforward and well-documented work — these engines were designed to be rebuilt, with widely available parts and a mechanic base that spans decades. The upgraded performance air filter visible in the engine bay is a practical addition that improves airflow and simplifies servicing.

The 4-speed manual transmission has also been freshly rebuilt. On first-generation Type 2 buses, the transmission and transaxle are integral to the rear suspension geometry, so a freshly sorted gearbox matters both for reliability and handling. Dual quad exhaust tips exit from the rear below the spare tire mount, giving the exhaust a period-custom look that suits the build.

One of the most meaningful mechanical upgrades on this bus is the conversion to front disc brakes. Factory first-generation Type 2 buses came with four-wheel drums, which are adequate at low speeds but show their limits in modern traffic. Disc brakes up front reduce stopping distances meaningfully and are a widely recommended upgrade in the Type 2 community. This is the kind of safety work that makes a 58-year-old vehicle genuinely usable rather than just showable.

Interior

The interior of this 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 has been fully customized in a two-tone green and white vinyl scheme that carries the exterior color story inside without being overdone. The door panels are re-trimmed in matching horizontal-striped vinyl — green center sections with white upper and lower bands — which is clean, period-appropriate work. Wood panel accents add texture and break up the vinyl surfaces in a way that echoes the Westfalia camper aesthetic without overcrowding the space.

The rear of the bus includes a built-in bed platform, which combined with the Westfalia-style pop-top roof gives this Type 2 genuine overnight capability. Curtained rear windows provide privacy when parked. The VDO speedometer is a well-regarded German instrument brand that suits the origins of the vehicle and reads clearly. A 110-volt inverter with an accessible plug-in point means you can run small appliances or charge devices without a separate generator — a practical detail that adds real utility to weekend trips.

Exterior

The exterior of this 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 wears a two-tone green over white paint scheme with flower power graphics applied throughout — peace signs, colorful flowers, and period lettering covering the panels on both sides and the front nose. This kind of custom expression was directly tied to the cultural moment the Type 2 inhabited in the mid-to-late 1960s, and it reads as intentional and consistent rather than arbitrary. The chrome bumpers front and rear are in good presentable condition, and the chrome trim wheels suit the build well.

The Westfalia-style pop-top roof sits cleanly when closed and adds significant headroom inside when raised, which matters given the already generous interior volume of the Type 2 body. The roof rack runs nearly the full length of the roof and carries two auxiliary driving lights — useful for early morning or late evening travel. The exterior spare tire mount on the rear tail panel is a classic VW accessory that keeps a full-size spare accessible without consuming interior space, and the Uniroyal tire mounted there appears in good condition based on the photos.

The rear end shows the dual quad exhaust tips exiting symmetrically below the spare — a custom touch that adds visual interest to an area of the bus that is otherwise simply functional.

Conclusion

The 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 is a first-generation bus in the final stretch of its production run, built before emissions regulations, before the Bay Window redesign, and before these vehicles became expensive enough that most people treat them as garage pieces. This specific example has been mechanically refreshed — engine, transmission, and brakes — and built out with practical camping features including a pop-top roof, rear bed, and 110-volt inverter. The custom flower power paint and green and white interior are committed and consistent, making this a complete build rather than a half-finished project.

For someone who wants a 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 they can actually use on weekends, take to shows, and drive without reservations about the mechanical foundation, this bus covers those bases. It has been worked on and thought through, not just painted and photographed.

To ask questions or schedule a time to see this 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 in person, call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608.

Disclaimer Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.