The good old VW Bus is one of the most recognized “collector cars” of the modern era. They certainly were not built for speed, and safety wasn’t given much thought. Then again, the VW Bus has been the co-star in more movies than can easily be counted. Now Volkswagen has announced production of its modern magical microbus [their words] to the world on March 9 — Dubbed the ID, Buzz the car is a friendly ambassador to Volkswagen’s latest EV electric line of cars and the first production of a Volkswagen bus for the United States in over 40 years.

Since that time the iconic shape has been something to collect and interest collectors into the 2020s selling for record prices as collectors compete to own the rarest examples. Collectors Dashboard has written about six figure VW buses and wanted to explore the influence of the announcement from Volkswagen with an update on the new VW Bus reboot. Volkswagen has used the classic original type 1 microbus to introduce both the concept of the ID. Buzz and the production of it.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectible cars including Volkswagen Buses are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many Volkswagen Buses now cost tens of thousands of dollars or as written about by Collectors Dashboard hundreds of thousands. Collectors with a passion to own a six figure bus may now have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future as trends continue.

Mecum Auctions had these sales of the classic microbus in 2022:

• 1966 Volkswagen 21-window deluxe bus with a professional restoration to original condition sold for $140,000.00 on January 15, 2022. Kissimmee, Florida.
• 1973 Volkswagen Bus restored sold for $27,500.00 on January 9, 2022. Kissimmee, Florida.
• 1974 Volkswagen Type II Bus, ground up restoration described as a replica that visually resembles a Type I sold for $65,000.00 on January 16, 2022. Kissimmee, Florida.
• 1975 Volkswagen Type II Bus, ground up restoration that visually resembles a Type I sold for $60,500.00 on January 7, 2022. Kissimmee, Florida.

Will Collectors accept the new design as they become more visible on the road? The classic bus market is stronger than ever in 2022 with Mecum already having multiple sales to represent the iconic shape. What remains to be seen however is if the new design visually resembles the old style enough for serious collectors of the car. Collectors Dashboard will be updating this article to see how the price of a classic is influenced by the announcement of the all new electric reincarnation by Volkswagen.

Just don’t ask for the new EV VW Bus to have the original battery in the future when it is considered a “classic” by definition.