Soon after it appeared on American shores in 1950, Volkswagen’s station wagon, or “bus” as it came to be known, proved to sell very well in the United States, forcing the Big Three to introduce a host of imitators. With its split-window front windscreen and a multitude of windows, it quickly became sought-after by an entire generation of surfers and members of the flower-power culture, and it is often considered to be the forerunner of the ubiquitous minivans of today.

The most desirable derivative of Volkswagen’s station wagon is the 23-Window De Luxe variant, which has eight additional skylight windows and a sunroof. This provided a near open-air driving experience for the passengers and driver, as well as virtually unhindered 360-degree visibility, making it easy to place on the road. Volkswagen marketed the 23-window station wagon as the model that offered just as much luxury as it did practicality. These vehicles were marketed towards both private customers and businesses, as they had lots of room for transporting people and luggage and accessing the rear seats was made easy by a pair of suicide-style doors on its passenger side.

This car was sold new in California, where it has lived for the majority of its life, and it was the perfect specimen for a full restoration. It has recently been fully restored in two-tone Sealing Wax Red and white, and it drives as beautifully as it looks. Elevating this 1963 23-Window De Luxe Station Wagon to an even higher level is its walk-through front seats, rather than the standard bench seat, as these seats are a rare and desirable option. This Volkswagen is also offered with all its original keys, an original owner’s manual, and an original sales brochure for the VW station wagon models of 1961.

As the generation that grew up with many fond memories of the Volkswagen bus is starting to be more active in the auction community, the beloved 23-window busses are becoming quite desirable. On the open road, this vehicle will surely elicit nothing but smiles from passersby for its characteristic style and its fantastic condition. As stated by the 1961 brochure, “Where good impressions are important…choose the De Luxe Station Wagon.”