Owners Name: Timothy Kristy

Model: 21 Window Deluxe Microbus

Year: 1965

Color: White/Ming Blau Mica Blue

Nickname (if any): The Bus

Car Features: 1600 cc with Dual Solex carbs, Dual Oil Baths, Rear seat replaced with 1973 Westfalia Sofa bed ( for camping), 2/3 Middle seat from Walk-through model ( those full-length middle seats just take up too much room!), Repro-Westfalia 1/4 roof rack, front and rear safari windows, Kenwood sound system.

Mechanical/Cosmetic changes in the works: I would sleep better at night if I could find the correct grab bars for the middle seat.

Any work that you did/do yourself that you are particularly proud of: Pretty much most of the interior, Getting that Westy sofa bed to open level with the rear pad over the engine compartment, screen door to cover the sunroof while camping, keeping the whole "look" and "feel" of the car mostly classic stock while still making it functional to our tastes ( white/blue striped interior, radio, sofa bed, etc.)

How you became interested in Vintage Vw's: I grew up in Southern California and always associated Vw Buses with So. Cal surf culture. I remember daydreaming with buddies in high school about fixing up a bus and driving along PCH to Huntington Beach; boards strapped to the roof rack, cool pre-dawn air coming in through the safari's.

Why did you pick this particular model?: Bus? Well that's obvious. But 21 window? Let me put it this way: If you've ever been sitting in the front passenger seat as you drive through the Northern California forests and look up through that skylight right over your head to see the sunlight filtering through the redwoods...well then you know.

Any stories/facts about this particular car: Well I never did end up getting that bus in high school, but it always stuck with me; and other than those guys, no one knew. Then years later, Jessie turns around and out of nowhere tells me that she has always dreamed of owning a Vw Bus! I figured that it had to be fate. This particular bus is special to me because it was a 21 window that I only had to drive 2 miles to get. I had spent months looking at classifieds and calling people all over the Western United States in search of a bus with skylights ( that I wouldn't have to promise my first born in order to afford!), and the whole while this one was right here in Monterey! As it also turns out, I ended up contacting Matt Morillo at that time because he placed the ad on the seller' s behalf. We only realized recently that we had communicated via email about local Vw's, months before we met and became friends.

How being a member of MPAS improves your Vintage VW experience: It has opened my eyes and allowed me to really appreciate non-bus Vw's. Vw people are, by nature, really good people to have in your life. Plus, all the bus guys have given me solid advice and help.

Final Comments: Southern California may have more Vw's based on the sheer numbers of its population, but per-capita, you won't find more nice, vintage Vw's than here on the Monterey Peninsula.