The Who 1965 Volkswagen Type 2 Panel Van ‘The Magic Bus’ Teenage Cancer Trust Charity Auction

1965 Volkswagen Type 2 The Who Panel Van The Magic Bus - Roger Daltrey

The unique The Who Magic Bus Volkswagen Type 2 van is going to auction and represents the opportunity to buy this one of a kind vehicle and support a charity.

The van is wholly endorsed by the entire band and the Teenage Cancer Trust has a long standing patron, Who founder and lead singer Roger Daltrey.

Back in 2007 for VW’s 60th anniversary in Hanover there was a rock concert featuring The Who whose set included their 1967 hit Magic Bus. This song has now become synonymous with VW bus owners and the plan to create a real Magic Bus took shape. 

Volkswagen Commercial AG donated the vehicle and helped with the creation of the van which would be raffled for charity. Over £30,000 was raised for the cause, thanks to worldwide interest, and the van has now appeared on the market.

1965 Volkswagen Type 2 The Who Panel Van The Magic Bus

The Magic Bus is a 1956 Type 2, T1 left hand drive panel van, which was sourced for Volkswagen by Bob Van Heyst and his company BBT of California.

The van was already partially restored but finished by VW specialists in the Old Timer Workshop in Hanover.

The custom artwork was done by the highly regarded graphic artist Richar Evans who is The Who’s art director and has worked with the band for over 40 years on album covers and stage artwork. The images on the vehicle depicting the bands career history.

The paint was applied at the Volkswagen factory in Hanover and both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend have autographed the sun visors. Richard Evans has signed an interior side panel.

1965 Volkswagen Type 2 The Who Panel Van The Magic Bus

The type 2 is a standard panel van and has not received any mechanical modifications with an original un-chopped dashboard. Even the ride hight is standard. The 1,600 cc sideport engine is said to make good progress and that the van drives well.

The American specification as built is still present with the towel rail bumpers and elephant ear wing mirrors.

Inside the rock and roll seat folds down to a full width bed with storage underneath, a JVC stereo CD player and Bluetooth with four Ministry of Sound speakers.

Seven twin anchor seatbelts fit over pale blue leatherette seats with The Who’s target logo embossed on the backrests. The ceiling locker is finished in red, white and blue with the flooring being black and white vinyl tiles.

Schuco, the German model makers, even produced a limited edition 1/43 scale model of the Magic Bus and Revell produced a 1/24 scale plastic kit in 2021. The bus is well known in the UK having been featured at many shows and events picking up awards in the process.

It has been the subject of magazine features and in books, the Volkswagen Camper and Commercial Magazine, the Chelsea Art Club’s 2009 yearbook and Camper Van Tastic.

The van is in very good condition and has a VW Certificate of Origin, current MOT/tax and Swansea issued V5C.

Going to auction on the 27th August 2022 along with another Who vehicle;

https://thejalopy.com/1977-vw-beetle-1303-ls-cabriolet-bought-new-roger-daltrey-the-who-going-to-auction/
 
With an estimate of £60,000 to £80,000 it is expensive, unique and for a good cause.
 
See Silverstone Auctions for more information on viewing, or even bidding.

Simon

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