Guy buys $135K VW 23-window at Mecum auction, turns out to be a hack-job fake.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=694683&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

This has been making the rounds of the Internet for the past couple weeks, surprised it wasn't already posted here.

TL;DR 23-windows have been pulling mad money for a while now, A VW enthusiast blows $135K (plus fees/tax) on one at Mecum. Upon delivery and closer inspection, it turns out the thing has been cobbled together from a bunch of different vehicles, documentation looks to be faked, and the VIN appears to have been tampered with. Mecum has shrugged off lawsuits over faked cars they've sold in the past (your bidding contract basically says "let the buyer beware") so the owner is lawyering up against the previous owner who commissioned the fake.

[revelations]

How much would the actual price be, assuming fake?

[Sugarphreak]

...

[rage2]

i seem to remember one of these going for well over one million t Barret not too long ago
I remember reading Barrett sold a fake one too haha. The VW bus mania is just mind blowing insane to me. There's a couple in Calgary that are well over 6 figs. Not surprised scammers are building fakes to sell.

[D'z Nutz]

Ugh, that sucks. Haven't had a chance to read through it all, but one thing I've always liked with old cars is how little minor details change from year to year and I appreciate how enthusiasts can be so passionate that they can spot all these little minute differences the average person wouldn't notice.

Also semaphores are sweet.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

How much would the actual price be, assuming fake?

Tough to say considering how hacked-together that one is, maybe $30K or so.

[Shlade]

Pretty sure there’s a guy here in Calgary with one. Almost like a golden brown colour I think? Looks neat but can’t understand the hype about these things? VW owners man lol

[you&me]

i seem to remember one of these going for well over one million t Barret not too long ago

You might be thinking of the GM Futurliner that sold at BJ back in 2014.

[Sentry]

As you’re gradually becoming aware, the pictures posted are pretty, but not what is needed to properly decide if it’s a fugazi. That’s going to require taking off some interior panels as well as really looking at the vin tag area by thbe engine. Even if it turns out to be a fake, it would be super fun to drive! Just not worth quite as much...
:dunno:
https://i.imgur.com/ydHXSAB.jpg

Also classic VW corksniffers are the worst of the worst of classic cars owners, I like that thesamba nerds were on his shit immediately about it being a fake. Poor guy. :rofl:

[Sugarphreak]

...

[infamous]

Yeah I had my wires crossed, it was a lot less than 7 figures. This is the one I was thinking about:

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1965-VOLKSWAGEN-TYPE-II-21-WINDOW-DELUXE-BUS-200656

Price $302,500.00

wasn't that one for charity though? and i read in the thread that Dave Kindig had to come out and say it wasn't an actual 21 window but a recreation. lots of drama surrounding these damn buses lol.

[94boosted]

Great read so far, feel bad for the guy.


wasn't that one for charity though? and i read in the thread that Dave Kindig had to come out and say it wasn't an actual 21 window but a recreation. lots of drama surrounding these damn buses lol.

From page 6 of the thread:

One example is the $217,000 mouse grey 23 window bus sold at Barrett-Jackson, having an altered VIN.

How about the $300K Barrett-Jackson sold 13 window turned 21 window Kindig creation???

[flipstah]

Pretty sure there’s a guy here in Calgary with one. Almost like a golden brown colour I think? Looks neat but can’t understand the hype about these things? VW owners man lol

MORE WINDOWS = MORE HYPE! I see it at Concept-1. Maybe it's Ken's?

[nismodrifter]

I knew the hype was big, but not $135g big. A dude on my parents street has one sitting in his garage for the last 5 years, has mad windows, definitely want to find out more about it.

[TurboMedic]

Yah the 23's are neat for sure, but I personally like the look of the 15's best for some reason, seems cleaner to me overall.

[vengie]

I knew the hype was big, but not $135g big. A dude on my parents street has one sitting in his garage for the last 5 years, has mad windows, definitely want to find out more about it.

Go offer cash.

$1 bob.

[tehwegz]

I like to think I'm a rational human, and not an over-zealous fan of 23 window VW bus orgies. I'd rather get a sick RV with even more windows, that you can tow, or even stuff a car inside of.

Keeping in line with being a hardcore fanboy, and having cash to burn, I would purchase this 20 year old Civic Si for $23,000 to accompany the RV.

https://jalopnik.com/someone-just-paid-22-750-for-this-absurdly-pristine-20-1824165493