1954 Samba 20-088422
History Page
History Page
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History in Europe:
In February of 1954, Mr. Richard Smith moved his family from their
Southern California home to Rome Italy to work on location at Cincecitta
Studios. During the family's 9 month stay in Europe, they purchased
their first Volkswagen, a 1954 Microbus Deluxe VIN# 20-088422, from
Wolfsburg, Germany. The VW was their primary mode of transportation.
The bus was shipped and imported through Switzerland, and then driven
to their residence in Rome. The bus served as a daily driver while in
Rome from their apartment to the studios, as well as a tour bus for the
family's weekend outings in Europe.
In February of 1954, Mr. Richard Smith moved his family from their
Southern California home to Rome Italy to work on location at Cincecitta
Studios. During the family's 9 month stay in Europe, they purchased
their first Volkswagen, a 1954 Microbus Deluxe VIN# 20-088422, from
Wolfsburg, Germany. The VW was their primary mode of transportation.
The bus was shipped and imported through Switzerland, and then driven
to their residence in Rome. The bus served as a daily driver while in
Rome from their apartment to the studios, as well as a tour bus for the
family's weekend outings in Europe.
Europe to Southern California:
When Mr. Smith's work ended in Rome, the Smith Family returned to
their Burbank home with the Microbus in tow. The bus was shipped
from Le Harve to New York via the s.s. America on October 20, 1954.
(The America was one of the premier US luxury liners of the era and a
prestigious form of travel across the Atlantic before commercial jets
were commonplace.) You can learn more about the interesting
history of the s.s. America by clicking here. The bus was driven
crosscountry to its new home in Southern California.
When Mr. Smith's work ended in Rome, the Smith Family returned to
their Burbank home with the Microbus in tow. The bus was shipped
from Le Harve to New York via the s.s. America on October 20, 1954.
(The America was one of the premier US luxury liners of the era and a
prestigious form of travel across the Atlantic before commercial jets
were commonplace.) You can learn more about the interesting
history of the s.s. America by clicking here. The bus was driven
crosscountry to its new home in Southern California.
Life in Southern California:
Upon entry into the State of California, the California State Board of
Equalization inquired of the MIcrobus' history for tax purposes. After paying all
necessary fees it was registered in the State of California. It was one of the
first Type II's registered in the State. The bus was only driven occasionally
over the years. Mr. Smith sometimes drove it from his home in Burbank, CA to
the Burbank Studios, a round trip of less than 5 miles! The Smith family would
also take it on the occasional family trip. After Mr. Smith's retirement, very little
mileage was added. In the mid-70's the bus received a repaint over the top of
its original sealing-wax red and chestnut brown colors. The headliner was
replaced with perforated vinyl and the seats were recovered.
Upon entry into the State of California, the California State Board of
Equalization inquired of the MIcrobus' history for tax purposes. After paying all
necessary fees it was registered in the State of California. It was one of the
first Type II's registered in the State. The bus was only driven occasionally
over the years. Mr. Smith sometimes drove it from his home in Burbank, CA to
the Burbank Studios, a round trip of less than 5 miles! The Smith family would
also take it on the occasional family trip. After Mr. Smith's retirement, very little
mileage was added. In the mid-70's the bus received a repaint over the top of
its original sealing-wax red and chestnut brown colors. The headliner was
replaced with perforated vinyl and the seats were recovered.
Recent History:
In 2001 the bus was put up for sale on the Samba website www.thesamba.com by the Smith family. I was
working overseas at the time so I contacted the Smith's via e-mail and asked some friends to go check it out.
After getting very positive feedback about the bus, I was lucky enough to strike a deal and the bus had
changed hands after being with the original owner for about 47 years. The bus is currently in for a careful
and historically correct restoration. The bus has been completely disassembled and everything down to the
last nut and bolt is either being replaced with NOS, restored to original condition or fabricated from scratch.
Time line:
In 2001 the bus was put up for sale on the Samba website www.thesamba.com by the Smith family. I was
working overseas at the time so I contacted the Smith's via e-mail and asked some friends to go check it out.
After getting very positive feedback about the bus, I was lucky enough to strike a deal and the bus had
changed hands after being with the original owner for about 47 years. The bus is currently in for a careful
and historically correct restoration. The bus has been completely disassembled and everything down to the
last nut and bolt is either being replaced with NOS, restored to original condition or fabricated from scratch.
Time line:
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