September 27, 1963, Germany. A Volkswagen Type 211 panel van rolls off the production line in its Rubin L456 finish. Three days later, it is shipped to Bologna, Italy. That is where a story spanning more than sixty years begins.
After several decades in Italy, the T1 undergoes a complete restoration, documented by numerous photographs showing the body before work began, the sheet metal work, the underbody, the reassembly and the completed vehicle. It returns to its Rubin finish and receives an Esso Standard Italiana livery, giving it an immediately recognizable identity.
The bus then makes its way to Switzerland. A new phase of work begins: mechanics, braking, drivetrain, technical adaptations, inspections and homologation procedures. The file includes, among other things, TCS, DTC and OCN documents, as well as supporting documents for the work carried out.
In Switzerland, the T1 begins a third life. Its livery evolves to pay tribute to the former red vehicles of the Établissements Techniques (ETF), a company founded in 1948. Period photographs of the former ETF buses served as the guiding thread for this new identity. The T1 subsequently takes part in meetings, gatherings and fairs, becoming a true vehicle of image and heritage.
Today, this T1 is looking for the person who will write the next chapter of its story. It is offered with an exceptionally comprehensive file: Volkswagen certificate, Italian documentation, restoration photos, import documents, mechanical work, homologation documents and numerous photographic archives.
A vehicle for an enthusiast looking for more than just a Combi: a T1 with provenance, a documented restoration and a unique history between Italy and Switzerland.
This description has been automatically translated. Original language: German.