The Who's Magic Bus For Sale
Fancy owning a piece of rock history?
A very special edition Who version of a VW van is to be sold at auction at the end of the month.
Here’s the blurb about the "bus”:
In 2007 Volkswagen celebrated their 60th anniversary by staging a huge event in Hanover, Germany. The celebrations included a concert by music legends The Who.
After the celebrations the idea to create a 'real' magic bus came into being.
Roger Daltrey is a long standing patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, and with the help of Volkswagen Commercials AG, who donated the vehicle, the idea became reality. The Magic Bus would be raffled and the proceeds donated to TCT. The competition drew interest from all over the world and raised £28,000 for a worthy cause.
The Magic Bus is a 1965 Type 2, T1 panel van, which was sourced for VW by Bob Van Heyst of BBT, from California. Having been partially restored by its previous owner, the vehicle was transported to its birthplace in Hanover. Once there, the Volkswagen team in the world famous 'Old Timer' workshop set to work and finished the restoration before The Magic Bus received her amazing custom artwork.
The engine is the classic 1600, single port, air cooled unit, that has proved both strong and reliable. She also has solid, reassuring gear change.
The bus has white banded tyres in excellent condition and an aluminium sidestep. The dashboard is in its original 'un-chopped' form, which in itself is both rare and desirable.
Originally exported to the US in 1965 the bus still sports her American spec' 'towel rail' bumpers and 'elephant ear' wing mirrors.
The vehicle has been regularly maintained and is dry stored when not in use.
The Magic Bus has some modern features, these include the back seat which folds down into a full width 'rock'n'roll' bed, with storage space underneath.
A new JVC stereo CD player with four Ministry of Sound speakers, this can accommodate an ipod and has Bluetooth function.
Seven twin anchor point seat belts have been fitted. A leisure battery with split charge system. An interior strip light and two push top LED lights.
The Magic Bus is adorned in the artwork of renowned graphic artist Richard Evans. Richard is art director to The Who and has worked closely with the band for well over thirty years creating album covers and tour designs. The images of the band he has selected for The Magic Bus represent The Who through their forty year career at the forefront of modern music.
The bus is branded with iconic imagery, such as a full length 'union jack' roof and The Who's famous target logos. All script and images featured on the bus are decals applied professionally at the Volkswagen plant in Hanover.
You can find out more about the van and the auction at the link below: