Exactly 55 years ago, a Volkswagen Type 2 T1 "Samba" was registered, which not only became a special family member in the course of its vehicle life, but even remained in the Schönbach family's possession for five decades.
Three generations experienced great vacations with it, used it in everyday life or even learned to drive in it. In 2015, the vehicle finally joined the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimer collection with a heavy heart. After an extensive restoration, "Renate" is now back on its wheels as it was on the first day and shines brightly at "her" family.
Love at first sight
As is so often the case, beautiful automobile stories begin unspectacularly in everyday life. This was the case in 1965, when Horst Schönbach, an employee at Volkswagen, and his wife Renate bought a young used Bulli. The car had previously been registered to VW for a short time and was to come to them in Braunschweig primarily as a practical companion. It was a real gem: the "nine-seater special model", or more commonly known as the "Samba bus", shone from afar in its two-tone beige-grey/sealcoat red paintwork and impressed with its folding roof and 21 windows. It was also rather unusual that this "annual car" was not sold again after a short time, as was very often the case at the time with factory employees. On the contrary - this Bulli was to stay for a long time.
A hotel on wheels - even for cows and pigs
And why not? Because like every van, this one grew with its tasks. The family grew to include the parents plus three children, no problem. A trip on vacation and a little extra space? The young father Horst showed his creative and clever side. In his garage with pit, the van was not only perfectly maintained but also modified. There was a bed in the cab for the youngest child, a pop-up roof (which could be removed like a roof rack) with a bed for the two older children and camping furniture in the interior. Add a tent in front and you had a 1,000-star hotel for the most beautiful places in Europe.
On vacation trips, it was normal for "Bulli kids" to find a perfect place to sleep in the trunk on top of the humming warm engine. In total, the family drove over 280,000 km in the bus. It was not a pampered Sunday car, but was used for every conceivable transportation task. It was even possible that cows or pigs were allowed to ride in the interior. It was simply always there when it was needed as a practical utility vehicle. Whether for transporting stones, shelves or as a driving school car for the next generation. The Bulli was also used for the best moments in life. The two daughters drove it to their weddings. Such a loyal family member is great - but no fuss was made about it anyway. That's why the Bulli didn't have a name at the Schönbachs. When people talked about it over the years, it was always referred to as "Grandpa's bus".
A farewell - but not forever
However, as all three children are not car enthusiasts and, unlike their father Horst, are not "car mechanics", the family council meets in 2015 and decides, as the head of the family Horst's serious illness progresses, that the car should now go into good hands. The offer of a fireplace builder who would like to use it as an exhibit with a stove was gratefully declined. With Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimer, however, the Schönbach family found a buyer with whom they had the good feeling that the car would also be looked after in the future. "I can't imagine a more caring buyer for the vehicle than Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers," said son Ingo during the sale. Nevertheless, it was a heartbreaking moment when the car was finally collected in the summer of 2015. A bit like saying goodbye at the airport when the children go abroad for a year. Tears flow, of course. Almost the whole family was there: Renate and Horst, two of their three children and four grandchildren. But when you say goodbye like that, you know you'll see each other again.
Grandpa becomes Renate
Just like today after the restoration. The Schönbach family were naturally delighted. Very big. And whether it was just the wind that caused a few glassy eyes - who knows...
The family around Renate Schönbach was happy to see that "Grandpa's bus", which has now been collectively christened "Renate", is in good hands at VWNO and was impressed by its perfect condition. "It's a shame that Horst passed away in 2018, he would have been very happy to see his bus like this," said Renate Schönbach. And the youngest generation of Schönbachs can also look forward to it. Should they get married one day, they will of course be able to drive to the wedding ceremony in the Schönbach family's traditional wedding car again. A point of honor. But to be on the safe side, it was also noted in the purchase contract at the request of a granddaughter...
