TheSamba.com :: View topic - New Zealand 52 bus sold at auction for ~$20,000

Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:46 am

I had a long chat with my sister-in-law in Christchurch NZ yesterday.

She said that someone's VW collection was auctioned off and a 52 immaculate bus was there. It went for $36,000 NZ. 1 NZ$ =~0,60 US $.

Anyone know about that?

Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:31 am

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/classic-vw-auction-makes-history-2840123/video

Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:13 am

I don't think there was a '52 Bus. Yes on a '52 Beetle.

Unfortunately it looks like you can't look at the past auctions on their site... or I didn't see the link to do so.

http://www.turners.co.nz/

http://www.classiccar.co.nz/news/7900/legendary-volkswagen-collection-for-auction-at-turners

Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:44 pm

Well my sister-in-law is not a VW expert even if they did have a 67 Devon camper in 1970.

I looked at the video and coiuld not determine exactly what was sold.

Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:06 pm

There was no Barndoor buses in the auction as far as I'm aware. I saw the listings beforehand.

Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:42 pm

A client of mine in Auckland sent me this article last Friday, it shows parts of a 54 single cab.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10583749&ref=emailfriend

Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:45 pm

what about the one that was tilting forward? looked like a bd roof singlecab but wasnt on the video very long

Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:28 pm

It was a 52 sunroof beetle.
There was a 54 SC that was sold, but the middle few feet are probably still in the hedge it was pulled out of! Apparently it's going to Australia to be restored.

Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:21 pm

52 was a split window beetle sold to a friend of mine here in rotorua i picked it up the other day
the barndoor was a basket case pick up cab and gearbox back of the bed the middle is still in the hedge it was pulled from and talking to the buyer he is planning to rebuild it :shock:

Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:41 pm

need I say it?

PICTURES! :D

Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:33 pm

here you go photos from new zealand vw nuts forum

Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:17 am

Doesn't look toooo bad from here ,incredibly everything important seems to be there ,bumper, lights aso ( what about the gates?) and the crap inbetween has to be replaced in most cases anyways !....nice project! 8)

Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:45 am

:shock: I was hoping that the phrase "still in the hedge" was a quirky New Zealand expression for "barn find" or "that shit will buff out".

Paging Gerson......

Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:09 am

It does look like a '54 but this tail light looks like a '53 light? It looks pretty flat to me:

Maybe it's just the photo angle.

Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:17 am

I think the lens is just pushed in.

Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:40 am

I'm pretty sure it was a 54'.

54' was the first year of assembling Volkswagens in NZ, everything imported in CKD form.

Francis used to talk about turning this single cab into a bar in the 'boys' room, his collection was housed in a massive workshop and he had plans to build an extension on the side for entertainment purposes. The SC was to be mounted in the wall, the cab on one side and the back the other side. It was going to be all mocked up with engine and everything and with a perspex top that you sat around. Would have happened too, all the materials turned up at his property just after he passed away.

It will have huge significance if it is ever restored!

Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:16 pm

Just add....
:wink:

Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:35 am

That's buildable, well worth doing, probably around 5 RHD barndoor s/c's around? 8)

Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:01 am

Anyone know what the SC reached at the auction?

Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:18 am

Single Cab? Looks more like a 1/2 Cab to me.