VW Fleetline Split Window Panel Van 1975 Model
VW Fleetline Split Window Panel Van 1975 Model
Price : SOLD
A lot of people in South Africa refer to any split windscreen Volkswagen bus as a Fleetline. In fact, the name Fleetline refers to a very specific split screen bus: the Brazilian split buses sold by VWSA as budget models for one year only, 1975.
Fleetlines were assembled by VWSA from Brazilian-built kits, either CKD (completely knocked down) or SKD (semi knocked down). They were built for one year only and came in three models: Panel Vans, 15-Window Kombis, and wide-body Single-Cab Pick-Ups. The only option was the colour. The range of colours were the same as VWSA's standard 1975 catalogue. Panel Vans and Pick-Ups came in one colour, while the Kombis were two-tone -- either white roof with colour below, or white roof and top half, with colour from the top of the swage line down. They did not pick out the swooping V swage line in two-tone the way German two-tone buses did.
Fleetlines were sold in VW showrooms as budget models alongside German-built 1975 bay windows. Specifications across all three Fleetline models was purely commercial.
Brazilian Fleetlines consisted of a mix of early and late split parts:
• pre-55 style cargo doors, but mirror-image for RHD , • 58-style engine hatch, but with pushbutton lock , • early-type pull-out door handles , • pre-64 corner windows on Kombis , • small pre-64 rear hatch , • sway bar on front axle , • 12V alternator electrics , • 1600 DP engine , • big-nut transmission
They also had a few Brazilian quirks, such as a moulded-in VW emblem on the front (probably to prevent theft) and no slots in the dash for the radio speaker (just three slots each side of the radio hole). All parts came from Brazil except the window glass, which was manufactured in South Africa. The instruments (speedo and fuel gauge) were also Brazilian but made by VDO.
Re the name Fleetline: VWSA used the name only for the 1975 Brazilian splits, not for German-built splits. There is no record why they chose the name. Fleetline has been used as a model name by Chevrolet, and on Leyland and Daimler buses.
This extremely rare vehicle has been in the same family and has passed down three generations. The car has had a professional nut and bolt restoration by a well renowned VW restorer. There has been no expense spared on the restoration with every replacement part used being the original item. The motor has been totally overhauled and purrs in splendid VW harmony. The interior has been redone in a tastefully matching colour combination that just adds to the splendour and fun factor of such an iconic vehicle. The vehicle still has its original matching numbers engine, the colour by what we have been to identify in the restoration is the original combination. The under carriage is just as clean as the rest of the vehicle.
We have seen and owned a number of these vehicles in the past and must admit this is the best one we have come across so far.
A True Piece of VW History.
Model 1975
Transmission type: Manual
Vehicle colour: Powder Blue
Mileage: Restored
Interior colour: Vinyl
Number of doors: Two Doors
Convertible: No
Driver side: Right Hand Side
Fuel: Petrol
Motor size (CC): 1600cc
Owner's Manual: No
Service History: Partial.
Price: SOLD