1955 PGSG bus or the Story of Sleeping Beauty

[Sitka Steve]

You all know the story of Sleeping Beauty. After the Princess pricks her finger on a cursed spinning wheel she falls asleep for 100 years waiting for her fair Prince to show up and free her from this unwanted slumber...our story continues....

"Outside the Palace a hedge of brambles sprang up; so thick and high that no one knew what lay behind it. One day a young prince rode by on a white horse and stopped in amazement. 'This is the place I have dreamed of!' he cried. 'If I can get through this hedge, I shall find the most beautiful Princess in the world.' The Prince took his sword, and slashed the brambles until he had cleared a pathway. 'Just like my dream!', he said.....he wasted no time, but went into the Palace to a little room. There he found the Princess asleep. He stooped over and kissed her, and at once she awoke."

Wasn't I intrigued when my good pal, Mr. White, told me he had had a weird dreamy experience with a person who had passed by his house inquiring about his VW's. This person said he knew of an old bus up the road that was on his family's farm, but then left without any contact information. With a little bit of sleuthing, Mr. White found the man and arranged to come to the farm to see this "old bus".

Indeed, the man lead Mr. White to a barn totally covered in blackberry brambles!

Using his machete, Mr. White cut through the brambles. As luck would have it, he laid his eyes upon a 1955 Palm Green Sand Green VW bus! He almost cried in disbelief!!!

The bus was purchased in Germany, from the Pillenstein dealership which is still in business.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=430434

Unfortunately, their records no longer go back to 1955, and anyone who would have known about this vehicle has long since retired or died.

They speculate it is the oldest known example from their dealership. It was shipped to Oregon in 1963 by an army officer. It was a European delivery vehicle, not intended for North America. Two years later the 2nd owner parked it in the barn out of frustration after the engine threw a belt twice on a drive back from town. He was later killed in the Vietnam War. Thus it remained for 45 years succumbing to the tasks of evil children throwing stones at her windows or squirrels storing walnuts in her cloth roof lining until it could hold no more!

With some discussion a price was negotiated, and Mr. White was presented the yellowed original 4 X 5 inch card title! After several visits and the help of another machete, a chainsaw, a farm tractor, and some sweat, the bus was ready to awake from her slumber! PB Blaster was used on the hand brake instead of a kiss, and the bus rolled out into the sunshine and was trailered back to Mr. White's Palace to join several other rare and unusual members of his court!

It is an amazing bus in really good shape and rolls like a dream! It appears to be a transitional bus with barndoor features VIN: 20-130394 (late May 1955?).

Both K1509 taillight lenses are present (one is broken to bits found laying on the apron inside the engine compartment) and are orange not red. All the rims are stamped 2/55 and are crow's feet. Original tool kit in it's sleeve with Vicot Jack Still has its semaphores, six leg, and one bubble,..with lots more!!!

We'll keep posting pictures as progress is made on this jewel. Any insights and comments are appreciated!

[clnvwe2]

What a great score!!! That gives us hope that they are still out there.
_________________
"Keep your horn on"

Cunado 4 life!!!!!!!

Instagram : Flatkool


WTB- The Brundage Motors Plate frame that Merrpie Pribanic's looking for.

[Sitka Steve]

Here are some pictures from the initial find.

Look what those evil children did.....

LOOK AT THAT PINSTRIPE!!!

Look at this stash of walnuts!

[maddriverman]

Do we need to beg in order to have you buff on some of that bus??

[clnvwe2]

If Mr. White needs glass, I have many extra pieces that came with the purchase of my 56.

Mr. White PM me if I can help..
_________________
"Keep your horn on"

Cunado 4 life!!!!!!!

Instagram : Flatkool


WTB- The Brundage Motors Plate frame that Merrpie Pribanic's looking for.

[Sitka Steve]

....And here are the pictures getting her back to the Palace!

[saff]

Just amazing!!

[Pritsche62]

oh my god!!!!
me like!!!!!!

[KWZ]

Yep, story checks out. It's awesome.
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'57 sunroof Standard
'63 15 window
'65 Westy SO44

[williamblanda]

Sweet find!

[Adam67]

Thats Awesome, I can't imagine that ever happening over here in the U.K. I would so love to find a bus like that!!

[Z]

Holy cow...that's fantastic!

[Jake Martinez]

the seats look very nice , to bad the windows are all broke out.
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58 euro vert
63 bug ruby
64 sunroof notch
65 bug
67 standard

[EmpiGT]

Would a 55 european model not have bubble tail lights but rather the euro flats?

[Mr Mike]

Wow, Wow, Wow!!
This ranks up there with Kombisutra's three night, engine change, repair, recovery and drive off, of the panel van from that isolated moutain top
in Northern California where he discovered it.
As VW tale's go, certainly rate's a "ten".

[campingbox]

[sub-hatchtim]

any word on the rear bumper
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58' pg/sg silo fridge westy
58 Dove blue singlecab
76 911S

[mightymouse]

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Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson


Note to EVERYONE.
Know your ZDDP levels or you WILL lose a cam and lifters.

[Sitka Steve]

[mpribanic]