VW Bus: Bayern bring the T2 Bulli to Germany

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Bavaria bring the T2 Bulli to Germany

The news is a sensation. A car dealership near Augsburg has got hold of 25 of the last Bullis built in Brazil. The interest is huge, although the buses have one major disadvantage.

D.Christian Loidl will never forget this one day. "It was in the late summer of last year when I heard that the Bulli was to be finally discontinued in Brazil." This news, which had caused sadness and sadness among fans around the world, caused an adrenaline rush for the buyer at the Sedlmair car dealership in Mering near Augsburg.

“It was immediately clear to me that I wanted to bring some vehicles from the last limited edition to us in Bavaria and sell them here.” His boss, Alfred Sedlmair, was pleased with the enthusiasm, but remained skeptical.

After all, it was the "last edition" only 1200 pieces. And that’s what lovers from all over the world were after. Whether a car dealer in Bavaria who actually has Toyotas and Dacias in the yard has a chance?

Loidl persisted. He made phone calls, wrote e-mails and was not discouraged by consolations and rejections. “I have tried to pick up cars at all of the major dealers in Brazil. Finally, I even had contact with the boardroom at Volkswagen Brazil. "

The phone no longer stands still

However, the Bavarian was not alone with his idea. Within a very short time there should have been around 37,000 official inquiries for the last buses. But Loidl’s request for 100 vehicles was too high, he was told. So the dream of the new old Bulli seemed over.

Until a call came in February that it would still work. “The final contract was then concluded via an Argentine shipping company.” With only 25 vehicles, but at least. According to its own information, the Bavarian car dealership is the only provider of these last Brazil Bullis in Europe.

They arrived in Bremerhaven on a container ship almost two weeks ago. “I was there when the container was opened. A moving moment, ”says Loidl. However, only 24 Bullis were loaded; Loidl had already sold one to an interested party in northern Germany in advance.

“And since the buses were unloaded in our yard, the phone hasn’t stopped.” People don’t want a Toyota or a Dacia, they are all interested in the Brazil Bulli.

New car without registration

However, two key pieces of information quickly put off many: At 39,900 euros, the two-tone bus (white and blue, how suitable for Bavaria!) Is anything but a bargain. The technology no longer has much to do with the Bulli, which was built in Germany from 1967 to 1979.

A 1.4-liter four-cylinder works in the rear of the Brazilian model, which can take either gasoline or ethanol, produces 78 hp and provides a maximum torque of 123 Newton meters (Nm). There is also a four-speed gearbox, 14-inch rims with white wall tires and a CD radio.

However, many would be willing to pay the money for a vintage car fresh from the factory. But not for a car without registration. Because as a new car, the T2 can no longer be registered in Germany.

The car has neither ABS nor three-point seat belts on the rear seats, and the engine does not meet the Euro 5 emissions standard. The lack of safety equipment was also the reason why the Bulli had to be stopped in Brazil. Since the beginning of this year, all new vehicles there must also be equipped with ABS and airbags.

The latter, however, cannot be integrated into the T2 because of its front structure. “You could register the car in the UK and then re-import it. But that would cost an additional 15,000 euros, ”explains Christian Loidl.

Car is an investment

Nevertheless: the fascination of the Bulli is great. The internet advertisement is currently being clicked on around 700 times a day. “Some customers bought the T2 directly on the phone or by email,” says the buyer.

A test drive would have been possible, but only a small one around the Sedlmair dealership. "If I would let everyone who is interested drive 100 kilometers in the Bullis, then I would have to sell the vehicles as used cars given the current interest."

This special Bulli, the last of its kind, is much too good to drive anyway. Loidl: “This car is an investment. The people who buy it are collectors. They’ll put it in the garage and get it out in a few years. And then it might be worth twice as much. "

If you don’t want to wait that long, you can drive the bus with a temporary license plate or a red license plate before it disappears into the garage.

Even if the demand is high, the dealership will end up keeping a copy. “It will be preserved and given a nice place in our showroom. It’s a piece of contemporary history. ”And the best advertising a car dealership could wish for.

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