it’s slowly, very slowly, gearing up for the launch of its van this year. It is a modern version of the original T1 bus, which first went into production in 1950. The reason it has received so much attention and why VW even decided to make them is due to the popularity of the T1. But did you know that you can buy a completely new T1 body made exactly like the original one? You can.
As we’ve seen with Mustangs, Camaros, and classic trucks, there is a strong market for aftermarket parts for popular cars. Once these companies start knocking out one part after another, over time, they have enough to make and sell a complete body. This is what a company called Golden Star has been doing for several years.
in Sandusky, Ohio, sells them for $27,000. While it’s a large sum, if you know your VW buses, you know they are prone to rust. And if you’ve seen the prices on facelifted T1s, the price doesn’t look too bad. If, and this is a big if, you have a pretty complete parts car.
Trying to buy all the other parts needed for a complete bus one by one will cost a lot more than buying a perfectly restored one. And you still have to rebuild a lot of what you have. So having a rusted or wrecked bus that is complete makes this proposition easier.
But the other thing to consider is closer to what we’re looking at here, having an electric VW van like the ID. Buzz. This is where all the aftermarket companies that make electric vehicles come into play. There are numerous companies offering complete retrofit EV kits that bring these vintage vans up to modern standards.
True, you will not get any of the driving assistance and safety features. And you will never confuse it with like an ID. Buzz is expected to work and manage. But at least it improves the extremely anemic performance of the original buses. Plus, you don’t have to put up with that chirping exhaust noise. And it runs just as perfectly as a Tesla or Mustang Mach-E. Welcome to the 21st century.
You can buy completely new glass for any window you need, including skylights and back corner glass. The same applies to all rubber gaskets and sealing rings. And parts to rebuild front and rear suspension have been around since new. So in the end you will have a brand new T1 bus with electric propulsion.
Right now, says the ID. Buzz prices start at $45,000. We expect it to be reviewed. And we also expect you won’t be able to find many base models. So expect prices to be in the $55,000 to $65,000 range. If you’re a do-it-yourself type of person, you should be able to build this T1 bus for about that much.
Sure, there are the disadvantages mentioned above, but keep in mind that while used van prices will continue to depreciate, your T1 EV bus will not. It will continue to appreciate, which is like money in the bank. If and when you do, please send MotorBiscuit some photos so we can share your old/new experience with the bus.
