It’s entirely possible I’m developing an unhealthy obsession with VW Buses, but I’m not entirely to blame: our beloved commenters keep encouraging me! It’s really not my fault!
FTGDHoonEdition sent in a tip to an article from the LA Times about a beautifully restored VW Bus that was recovered in a container bound for Europe. After a great deal of work, the Bus had recently emerged from a complete rebuild and restoration, and was being delivered to a purchaser in Europe. When US Customs agents ran the VIN, they discovered that the vehicle had been listed as stolen, and paid out by AllState insurance — back in 1974.
The article points out that it had been paid out for around $2500 back then, and was now worth around $25,000. Since it now belongs to the insurance company, this seemed like a pretty good deal. But that got us thinking: is it?
Regardless, it’s a pretty raw deal for the restorer, who is not a suspect in any way; he’s out the entire amount of the purchase and the cost of restoring it. But is it really all that great a deal for AllState? They paid out around $2500 in 1974. First off, that is the equivalent of between $12,000 and $18,000 in 2009 dollars. So perhaps they made out fairly well. If, however, they had just invested that $2500, back in 1974, it would be worth over $30,000 today — between $34,000 and $37,000 in fact, depending on the type of investment.
The only things we can say for certain about this story are these: when a vehicle is stolen, everyone loses, even if its recovered later; and that is one hellova nice BugBox.
[Source: LA Times]
Ross Ballot 
Kamil Kaluski
It was actually recovered 10 years ago – it's taken that long to drive it back to Spokane from LA.
That made me laugh. And sadly, you're probably not far from being right.
That is a nice bus. What I really want to see is a Turbo Porsche engine stuffed into the back of one of those, that'll keep it air-cooled and make it actually get up and go somewhere (especially hills).
[youtube powVngJ-Ljc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=powVngJ-Ljc youtube]
Here, allow me.
[youtube powVngJ-Ljc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=powVngJ-Ljc youtube]
Here, allow me.
I love seeing that.
I like that. A lot. I would have rather they not transition to the white 911 on the way through Eau Rouge though.
Oh right I remember that, damn thats awesome. It's probably what gave me the idea to do that.
You just made my week!