FOR SALE: 1975 Volkswagen T2 Fleetline Split-Window Panel Van
This beautiful "Splittie" panel van has been in the same family for three generations and has also undergone a nuts-and-bolts restoration.
FAST FACTS:
Year and make/Model: 1975 Volkswagen T2 Fleetline Split-Window Panel Van
Engine: 1.6L petrol
Transmission: Manual
Mileage: n/a - restored
Colour: Powder Blue
Location: Johannesburg
PRICE: R389 000
A lot of people in South Africa refer to any split windscreen Volkswagen bus as a Fleetline when, in fact, the name Fleetline refers to a very specific split-screen bus: the Brazilian split-window 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 with a 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 the German two-tone buses did.
Fleetlines were sold in VW showrooms as budget models alongside German-built 1975 Bay Window busses. Specifications across all three Fleetline models was purely commercial.
Brazilian Fleetlines consisted of a mix of early and late split-window 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 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.
Regarding 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 also been used as a model name by Chevrolet, and on Leyland and Daimler buses.
This example
This extremely rare vehicle has been in the same family and has been passed down for three generations. The car had a professional nuts-and-bolts restoration by a well-renowned VW restorer. No expense was spared on the restoration with every replacement part used being an original item.
The motor has been totally overhauled, too. 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 under-carriage is just as clean as the rest of the vehicle.
NOTE: The above information was supplied by the dealer currently advertising this vehicle and has not been verified by SentiMETAL/Cars.co.za.
Please complete the lead form below to enquire about this vehicle.
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