The final recognized Volkswagen Kind 2 Schulwagen, a model used to coach dealership workers, has resurfaced after 43 years.

Owned by collector Lind Bjornsen, the restored Schulwagen made its public debut final month in Huntington Seashore, California, on Worldwide VW Bus Day. The occasion celebrated the Kind 2, also referred to as the Microbus, and marked the U.S. debut of the long-lasting van’s non secular (and electrical) successor—the Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

The Schulwagen, German for “faculty automobile,” happened after VW terminated its contract with U.S. importer Max Hoffman and arrange its personal U.S. division, Volkswagen of America (now a part of Volkswagen Group of America).

Taking up U.S. gross sales operations meant organising a supplier community, which VW representatives Will Van De Camp and Geoffrey Lange began doing in 1954. The next yr they’d VW ship over three service tech trainers and a pair of Kind 2 vans to journey to dealerships and prepare workers to work on Beetles and Microbuses. Primarily based on the Kind 2 Kombi mannequin, the Schulwagen fleet ultimately totaled 14 autos costing greater than $5,000 every—making them the costliest VW fashions on the time.

Volkswagen Kind 2 Schulwagen

This Schulwagen sat in an Ohio barn for 43 years, in line with VW. It was bought by Bjornsen, who eliminated 10 layers of paint to search out the unique Volkswagen of America lettering which, together with some distinctive tools like a rear workbench, proved the van’s provenance. The manufacturing facility subsequently confirmed that the barn discover was delivered to VW of America in January 1955. The van was then restored to unique situation over the course of 5 months.

People must wait a bit longer for a brand new VW Bus. The ID.Buzz is scheduled to reach right here subsequent yr as a 2025 mannequin. It’ll deliver with it three rows of seats, a bigger battery pack, and a extra highly effective electrical motor than the variations already on sale in different markets. This high-end model of the electrical VW Bus in all probability will not be used for supplier coaching, however it can have one thing in frequent with the Schulwagen. With an anticipated worth of about $65,000, it can even be among the many most costly Volkswagens at present on sale.