Volkswagen Type 2 Bus Locked in a Barn for 25 Years Is Surprisingly Solid

Uncovered by the folks at "Spiral Design Works" somewhere in Kentucky, this second-generation VW Transporter (or Microbus) spent the last 25 years in a barn. The kind that doesn't provide full protection from the elements. That's usually long enough to turn an old steel vehicle into a rust bucket, but this German van got lucky and emerged as a solid classic.

Sure, it's dirty, and it has a few rust spots here and there. The engine bay also looks like it's been inhabited by rodents for a very long time. However, the Bus is rather solid and will clean up nicely. It's also complete, for the most part, a pleasant surprise when it comes to old rigs that have been abandoned for a long time.

Needless to say, this Volkswagen won't run and drive as is. But it's definitely worth reviving as a patina survivor. A complete restoration might not be awfully expensive either, but that's for our hosts to discover later on. Assuming the van won't become a parts donor, that is.

This Bus is part of the second-most iconic lineage of Volkswagen vehicles (after the Beetle, of course). And unlike the compact car, it has soldiered on to present times after six redesigns. As of 2023, Volkswagen is offering the T6, as well as a retro-styled, all-electric incarnation called the ID. Buzz.

The van you see here is part of the second generation. Also known as the T2, it arrived in late 1967 and remained in production in Germany until 1979. But while the European version was replaced with the T3 that year, the T2 was kept alive for a few more years (or even decades) in South America and Mexico.

Mexican production at Volkswagen's Puebla facility continued through 1994, while an Argentinian variant was built from 1980 to 1986. The Brazilian van, introduced in 1976, soldiered on until 2013. This means that T2 production lasted for a whopping 46 years.

Just like its predecessor, the original T1, the second-gen commercial vehicle came in a variety of body styles. Volkswagen built panel and passenger vans, as well as two- and three-door pickups. The Germans also made a T2c version with a roof raised by about four inches (10 cm) for enhanced passenger room. The T2 was also available as a camper.

The van shared its drivetrain with the Beetle. The engine lineup included 1.6- to 2.0-liter flat-four engines, as well as a 1.8-liter inline-four powerplant. Output ranged from 47 to 80 horsepower. Transmission choices included a four-speed manual and a three-speed automatic.

The T2 was hugely popular, moving more than three million units. This figure only includes European production from 1967 to 1979. Many more vans and trucks were built and sold in South America and Mexico. But that's enough history for today. Hit the play button below to see a weather T2 emerge from long-term storage.