Last year, when the Palisades tore through Southern California, somehow a white-blue Volkswagen T2 (mostly) survived. This became a beacon of hope, and once the automaker found out about the bus, he promised to fix it. Now, VW has restored it and is ready to show it to the public.
According to the automaker, the T2 needed significant work, including mechanical fixes. The fire scorched the exterior, peeling paint and melting the turn signal cover. The restoration process required VW to replace or repair more than 900 parts, and the project took more than 2,000 hours to complete.
Photographs of the “Magic Bus” revealed much of its damage, but nevertheless, it was clearly worth saving.
Complicating the restoration process was the fact that the bus had been modified by previous owners, and was missing some of its original parts. Volkswagen struggled to find several components, including a factory-option clock, a new in-box side aerial antenna, and replacement fabric for the window shades.
Volkswagen restored the bus at its Oxnard, California, facility, where America’s VW Group keeps its historic vehicles. To complete the bodywork restoration, the automaker partnered with G-Kiddensport, which restores historic Porsches.
Wayne, who was made famous by a Associated Press The photo captures the white-blue T2 standing out against the destruction around it, making its public debut at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The owner, Megan Weinraub, named the car Azul, and it will be on display at the show until November 30.
VW collaborated with Candy Lob to produce a limited-edition wooden collector’s version of the restored van, dubbed the “Azol,” which is Spanish for blue. The minivan is only available at VW’s La Auto Show booth, while supplies last. Once the LA show is over, the van will head to the Peterson Automotive Museum for an exhibit that runs from December 4th to January 11th.
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Source: Volkswagen
