Britain's first Samba Microbus fully restored

| 23 Jan 2015

The first Volkswagen Samba Microbus imported into (and still believed to be the oldest example within the UK) has been fully restored over the past 18 months, prior to being sold at Silverstone Auctions' Race Retro sale on 21-22 February. 

The Microbus – which is expected to fetch as much as £75,000 – was brought into the UK in 1955 by John Colborne-Baber, the founder of Britain's first Volkswagen dealership. Though built at the firm's Wolfsburg factory, 'SGP 62' is a right-hand-drive example, despite the fact that the model was never officially on sale in the UK. 

Rediscovered in the West Country in 1992, the Samba had been in storage for more than 30 years. It has now been completely rebuilt as a faithful reproduction of the condition it was in when it was used by the Colborne-Baber family, albeit with a few additional safety features. 

A new interior modelled on that fitted to the bus in period was created by Volkswagen expert Kevin Morgan, while a correct Osokool fridge and Dudley stove were also sourced. 

"This is a fantastic piece of Volkswagen history," said Silverstone Auctions' managing director Nick Whale.

"There vehicles are hugely popular around the globe, and collectors are now paying incredible sums for them.

"It's ready to be appreciated and enjoyed, and I hope the new owner will love it just as much as the Colborne-Baber family did."

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