1965 | Volkswagen T1 Samba

1965 Volkswagen T1 Samba (LHD)

• A Porsche-powered VW Samba
• 3.2L Flat Six from an 80's Porsche Carrera
• Built from the ground up to the owners specification by Creative Coachworks
• 6 page feature in Ultra VW
• A fantastic creation!

We are very pleased to offer for sale this fantastic creation. It all started when a customer approached Creative Coachworks and requested a top-specification, Porsche-powered VW be built from the ground up. The brief of this project was to create a vehicle that could travel at speeds of around 100mph on the Autobahn and would have braking and handling to cope with that kind of power. Ideally it would be Porsche-powered, with a matching five-speed gearbox.

Creative Coachworks began by sourcing a good, straight 21-window Samba, which was a Japanese import found at a vehicle import specialist in York in August 2007. Exact specification and requirements were then to be confirmed with the owner. References of the Carramba project assembled by the Bugbox and a Samba on the Gumball 3000 were made. This resulted in a detailed brief to construct a sleek, understated and capable Samba with the luxury trimmings of a real gran tourer.

A mechanical overhaul was the first task to be tackled so a suitable engine and gearbox had to be sourced. Most of the running gear for this project was donated from a mid-eighties 3.2-litre Carrera. The Samba was then completely stripped out allowing measurements to be made for the fitting of the new engine, gearbox and trailing arms. Some metalwork had to be trimmed away including parts of the fuel tank shelf, engine bay side panels and centre section of the torsion housing. Torsion tubes were narrowed to get the wheels sitting centrally in the wheel tubs. The bus then gained a Porsche 915 five-speed gearbox, with coil-over units taking care of the spring and damping duties.

With rear end fabrication largely complete, bodywork was the next priority. In 2008 the Samba was chemically stripped and electrophoretically painted by SPL in Dudley, to ensure it was totally clean prior to any bodywork. The dashboard was modified so VDO gauges could be fitted. An inspection hatch was then grafted in place to make engine access and maintenance easier, and a very tight-fitting and unobtrusive roll-cage was fabricated. Creative Coachworks meticulously finished the bodywork, before handing the Samba over to Webster and Lancaster for paintwork, as requested by the owner. Nissan Pearl White and Peugeot Mica Black were the colours of choice with most of the chrome being painted also for a more subtle look.

After paintwork was completed the car was returned to Creative Coachworks. The new fuel tank, fuel injection pump, the dry-sump oil tank, the complete 3.2-litre engine and the overhauled 915 gearbox were then reinstated along with many other things such as;

• Webasto heater
• Audio install within interior trim
• LCD flatscreen
• Games console
• DVD Player

An excellent job was done achieving the owners request of a luxurious yet subtle interior. No metal is left uncovered inside, the fitting of the sunroof is excellent and the quality of the seats and interior panels are pure quality.

The finishing touches being added to complete the Samba were;

• Brand-new glass supplied by A.H.Schofield and tinted by SterlingWindows
• New seals
• Removable tow bar
• Genuine 16-inch 911 Fuch wheels
• Continental tyres
• Exhaust fabricated around a 911 header system

After all these works were completed the Samba was then MOT'd and taken for a proper rolling-road tune-up and a re-map of the engine to make sure it ran perfectly. The team behind this project have created a masterpiece which has been enjoyed by the customer who envisioned it. We are certain that this Samba will bring many years of good service to its next custodian.

Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call to book an appointment.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.