VW Split Screen Samba with a Devon conversion
- Thursday, 10 April 2008
- 3 Comments
The Samba gracing these pages is a very special Bus. It's an original Devon conversion - a Devon Type 244 Caravanette converted by J.P. White of Sidmouth in Devon. It was delivered to a J. Russel-Taylor Esq. of Bosham on the 13th June 1963 by Whyke Motors Ltd of Chichester with 134 miles on the clock. How do we know such facts? Well, it came with every single piece of original history including its bill of sale, service history book, Devon receipts and brochures and a full file of additional history from day one. With only 76,000 miles on the clock and 'matching numbers', this Bus should have gone to a museum!
Now as many of you will know, Devon converted very few Sambas into Campers due to their high purchase price in the UK. A shame, as a Devon Samba is a thing of beauty as the extra glass and sunroof lends itself to a period Camper very well. So few of them were converted, so survivors are very hot property today, and rightly so.
Anthony Peters, who owns this gem, has been into VWs since he was 16. He graduated from Beetles to Buses after realising they're practical and downright cool. Anthony found out about the Devon Samba during a chance conversation with Rikki James and was on it like a flash. Anthony contacted the possible seller, one Matt Keene, to come and view the Bus (yes, I once owned it!)
On arrival Anthony was not disappointed: "The Bus was fantastic - just as Rikki had described, but it was showing its age; the roof gutters were going, the bottom of the front panel had bubbled up, the doglegs were ropey, the bottom of the cab doors were rusty - you get the picture. That said, it was in amazing condition and the originality of the interior was truly astounding."
"The Bus came as it was when Matt acquired it. Despite their value, all of the rare and valuable parts were kept together and passed on - the interior complete with all the accessories, the Easi-cool, the Dudley stove, the crockery, complete awnings, even including the original Devon instructions in their original envelope. Stock height, drum brakes and cross-ply tires! It truly was a time-warp Bus," says Anthony.
For the full story check out the April 2008 issue of VolksWorld magazine. On sale on 21 March and then available through back issues.
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August 09 15:56
Danny
what year is the bus?