VW Type 2 Split Bus — Hardest-to-Find Parts Guide (1950–67)

Safari Glass NLA — The Hardest Single Part on Any Splitscreen Bus

Safari glass refers to the hinged front windscreen panels fitted to expedition-spec and high-specification Split Buses, allowing the glass to open outward for ventilation. These were factory-fitted to specific export and high-trim variants across the 1950s and 1960s — never in mass production, and never cheap to manufacture. The laminated safety glass panels are bonded into a hinged metal frame with weatherstrip that must seal against the windscreen aperture while allowing the hinge mechanism to function.

No supplier currently manufactures new-production Safari glass panels to original specification. This is a genuine production gap, not a cataloguing oversight. The tooling cost for low-volume laminated safety glass production to period geometry is prohibitive for any aftermarket manufacturer at current demand levels.

Where to find them: TheSamba classifieds is the primary English-language market for Split Bus Safari glass — it aggregates the largest concentration of serious Splitscreen sellers globally. Set an alert and check classifieds regularly; units surface from estate sales and barn finds a few times per year. European VW auto-jumbles — particularly the annual meets in Germany and the Netherlands — draw dealers with genuine warehouse stock.

Custom fabrication: A specialist automotive glazier experienced in laminated safety glass can reproduce the panel geometry from a surviving original. The result will function correctly but will not carry correct VW markings or documentation. Cost is significant — typically £400–£900 per pair plus the supplier's time to make a template from your original aperture — but for cars that must have working Safari glass and cannot wait for genuine NOS to surface, this is the practical route.

Hella Driving Lights — NLA from Hella, Still Findable Used

The Hella 128 and Hella 139 square driving lights are the period-correct auxiliary lights associated with Split Bus builds of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Hella confirmed these units NLA from their production catalogue. The original lens geometry — particularly the distinctive prismatic pattern on the 128 — is not replicated in any current production accessory, and the housing dimensions differ from modern Hella equivalents.

Original units surface with some regularity through TheSamba classifieds and through European auto-jumble events, where German and Dutch sellers bring NOS and used Hella stock. Pricing for confirmed original Hella 128 units in working condition runs £150–£400 per unit depending on condition of the lens housing and wiring. Lenses are the first thing to check: crazing or chips affect both appearance and light output.

If originality is not essential and the goal is period-appropriate appearance, the reproduction route is usable for a driving restoration. For a concours-standard build or a vehicle being shown and judged, the lens geometry difference between originals and reproductions will be visible to knowledgeable judges.

Tail Light Lenses and Assemblies — Era Matters

The Split Bus went through several tail light configurations across its production run, and availability varies significantly by era. Getting the era right before searching is essential — the wrong-generation lens does not fit, and Barndoor-era units are scarce enough that buying the wrong thing is an expensive mistake.

Barndoor Era (1950–1955)

The earliest Barndoor Buses used a distinctive teardrop-shaped tail light assembly with glass lenses. These are now rare at any price. Reproduction tooling does not cover this era — there are no reproduction Barndoor tail light assemblies in the current market. NOS glass lenses for Barndoor units surface occasionally through TheSamba classifieds and European estate sales; expect to pay £200–£600+ per assembly for clean NOS units. European-sourced parts are the primary route: many Barndoor Buses were in commercial use in Germany and the Netherlands and period hardware surfaces at German VW events.

Standard Split (1956–1967)

The 1956–67 Split Bus used a revised assembly that is more commonly reproduced. Bus Depot stocks reproduction lens assemblies for this era. The reproductions are plastic rather than glass and will not pass scrutiny at a high-standard concours, but are functionally adequate for driving restorations. NOS glass lenses for the 1956–67 era do surface through TheSamba classifieds — set an alert. Prices for clean NOS 1956–67 lenses run £80–£250 per assembly depending on condition and completeness.

Atlas Door Latches — NLA OEM, Reproductions Available with Fitment Caveats

Atlas door latches are the distinctive external pushbutton mechanism fitted to Split Bus doors across the production run. The pushbutton releases the door catch and is one of the most immediately recognisable features of the Splitscreen Bus. VW confirmed these NLA from the OEM parts system.

The fitment-year problem: The Atlas latch mechanism changed between the Barndoor era (pre-1955) and later Split Bus production (1955–67). The external pushbutton appearance is similar, but the internal barrel, the mounting plate geometry, and the door skin thickness accommodation differ. Buyers must confirm the body year of their specific vehicle before ordering — supplying a reproduction latch designed for the wrong era will result in a misfit.

Bus Depot stocks reproduction Atlas-style latches covering the most common Split Bus door configurations and is the primary US supplier. Allow for minor fitting adjustments even with the correct reproduction — manufacturing tolerances are wider than OEM. For NOS Atlas units: TheSamba classifieds is the primary market. NOS units from estate liquidations and barn finds surface periodically; for concours restorations, NOS Atlas units from a matching year are the standard.

NOS Hardware — Genuine Stock vs Reproduction Reality

Split Bus NOS hardware divides into two categories that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from listing descriptions alone: genuinely warehouse-found factory stock, and reproduction hardware marketed with varying degrees of accuracy as 'NOS' or 'original'.

What's genuinely still findable

Window clips, body trim fasteners, and generic VW hardware (screws, bolts, washers to period German standards) still surface as genuine NOS. TheSamba classifieds aggregates the most significant volume of genuine NOS hardware offered by private sellers. Major VW auto-jumbles in Germany — Wolfsburg, Hannover, and the annual Bulli meets — draw dealers with genuine warehouse stock. CB Performance stocks period VW accessory hardware.

Reproductions for practical sourcing

Bus Depot covers most common fasteners, window clips, and body trim pieces with reproduction hardware. For a driving restoration where originality of hardware is not a show priority, Bus Depot reproductions are the practical and cost-effective route.

Authentication markers

For genuine NOS claims: look for original VW cardboard packaging with date codes, casting numbers on metal fasteners that match documented period specifications, and unaged metal finish. A thread-pitch gauge is useful — reproduction fasteners occasionally use modern metric standards rather than the period-correct German standards.

What has genuinely disappeared

Westfalia-specific cabinet hardware for early SO variants (SO34, SO42) is now very scarce. The original production volumes were small, the units were used hard over decades of camping use, and reproduction tooling covers later Bay Window Westies rather than early Split variants. For early Westfalia SO hardware, TheSamba classifieds and German Westfalia specialist dealers are the only realistic routes.

Bay Window Interior Panels (1968–79) — ABS Reproductions and Sourcing

The 1968–79 Bay Window Type 2 (T2b) used interior door and body panels constructed from cardboard-backed vinyl — the same technology common across VW products of the era. The cardboard substrate absorbs moisture and fails in damp climates; most surviving Bay Window panels on cars that have lived in the UK, Pacific Northwest, or northern Europe are either warped, delaminated, or have already been replaced.

ABS plastic-backed reproduction panels are available from Bus Depot for the most common Bay Window configurations: standard bus, microbus, and the most common Westfalia camper variants. The ABS backing is substantially more durable than original cardboard and resolves the damp-climate failure mode that affects every surviving set of originals.

Rare Bay Window variants

Reproduction tooling does not cover low-volume configurations. For Westfalia high-roof conversions, early SO models, and commercial-body variants, TheSamba classifieds is the primary route. Westfalia-specific camper interior panels — cabinet fascias, fold-down table components, bench back panels — are not covered by standard reproductions and must be sourced through TheSamba or at VW specialist events.

Supplier Overview — VW Type 2 Split Bus

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is Split Bus Safari glass so hard to find in 2026?

  Safari glass panels were factory-fitted to specific export and high-trim variants of the Split Bus in the 1950s and 1960s — never in mass production, always low volume. No supplier currently manufactures new-production Safari glass to original specification, and the tooling cost for low-volume laminated safety glass to period geometry is prohibitive. Genuine NOS panels surface occasionally through TheSamba classifieds and European VW auto-jumbles, but pricing reflects the scarcity — £800–£2,500+ per pair. Custom fabrication through a specialist automotive glazier is the practical route for owners who need working Safari glass and cannot wait for NOS. US-spec and European-spec buses have different windscreen aperture dimensions — confirm specification before purchasing any panel.

• What are the options for Hella driving lights on a 1950–67 Type 2?

  The Hella 128 and Hella 139 square driving lights are confirmed NLA from Hella's production catalogue. Original units surface through TheSamba classifieds and European auto-jumble events — pricing runs £150–£400 per unit for confirmed originals in working condition. Reproductions are available from Asian manufacturers via eBay; the lens casting geometry differs from original, which is visible at concours level. CB Performance stocks period VW lighting accessories. For concours builds, original Hella units only; for driving restorations where appearance is the priority, reproductions are functional.

• Where can I source Atlas door latches for a Splitscreen Bus?

  Atlas door latches are confirmed NLA from VW. Bus Depot stocks reproduction Atlas-style latches covering most Split Bus configurations. Fitment year is critical: the latch mechanism changed between the Barndoor era (pre-1955) and the Standard Split (1955–67). The external pushbutton looks similar, but the internal barrel, mounting plate, and door skin accommodation differ — ordering the wrong era will result in a misfit. Confirm your body year before ordering. NOS Atlas units surface occasionally through TheSamba classifieds from estate liquidations and barn finds — the only route to genuine period hardware for concours restorations.

• Are original-specification Split Bus tail lights still available?

  Availability varies by era. Barndoor-era (1950–1955) teardrop glass lenses are rare at any price — no reproduction tooling covers this era. Prices for NOS Barndoor assemblies run £200–£600+. The 1956–67 Standard Split era is better served: Bus Depot stocks plastic reproduction lens assemblies covering these years, functional for driving restorations but not correct for high-standard concours work. NOS glass lenses for 1956–67 surface through TheSamba classifieds — set an alert and check regularly. For Barndoor-era NOS, European-sourced parts are the primary route.

• What NOS hardware is still findable and what has genuinely disappeared?

  Window clips, body trim fasteners, and generic VW hardware still surface as genuine NOS through TheSamba classifieds and German VW auto-jumble events. CB Performance stocks period accessory hardware. Bus Depot covers reproduction fasteners and clips for driving restorations. What has genuinely disappeared: Westfalia SO cabinet hardware for early Split variants (SO34, SO42) is now very scarce — volumes were small, originals were used hard, and reproduction tooling covers later Bay Window Westies, not early Splits. Authentication markers for genuine NOS: original VW cardboard packaging with date codes, correct casting numbers on metal fasteners, and unaged finish. A thread-pitch gauge is useful — repro fasteners occasionally use modern metric standards rather than period-correct German standards.

• Where do I find interior panels for a 1968–79 Bay Window Type 2?

  Bus Depot stocks ABS plastic-backed reproduction panels for the most common Bay Window configurations — standard bus, microbus, and common Westfalia camper variants. The ABS backing is more durable than the original cardboard and resolves the damp-climate failure mode. Colour and grain matching varies by batch — get a sample before committing to a full set if you have any surviving original panels on the car. For rare variants (Westfalia high-roof, early SO models, commercial bodies), TheSamba classifieds is the primary route. Westfalia-specific camper interior fittings (cabinet fascias, bench panels, table components) are not covered by standard reproductions and must be sourced through TheSamba or VW specialist events.