A widely shared photo featured a white and blue Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus that had withstood the fires in Los Angeles. The picture made it look like it wasn’t hurt, but the heat burned the far side. Volkswagen of America has promised to return to its former greatness as a sign of hope. After the terrible wildfires burned homes in and around Los Angeles, there was little hope. Many people, regardless of their financial situation, lost their homes and belongings, and many are still waiting to be allowed to return. One picture stood out among the many burned-out wreckage: a white-on-blue 1977 Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus that didn’t look damaged even though broken and burned-out buildings surrounded it. The image shown above, captured by Associated Press photographer Mark J. Terrill, quickly went viral. A classic VW Microbus is quintessential to California, and its survival felt like a small miracle at a time when many people were shocked. There was some damage from the fires, though a lot of blisters formed on the right side, which is shown in the picture. Volkswagen of America plans to fully restore this surviving vehicle, bringing it back to like-new condition both in appearance and performance. The 1977 Bus belongs to Megan Weinraub, a Malibu resident who designs surfboards and skateboards. She learned to drive using a manual transmission because of it. Previously, Preston Martin owned the van. Martin, Weinraub’s business partner and fellow surfboard maker, lived in the van during his final year of college to save money. His mother even crafted embroidered curtains for it. This VW van is so emblematic of California that it deserves its own banner flying over the state building. Since the area wasn’t yet open to the public, Volkswagen of America had to obtain special permission to save the T2. Weinraub has named it “Azul” because of its blue color. Then, it was taken to VW’s Oxnard plant, where the company stores and takes care of its old cars. It’s in good hands, but it will need a lot of mechanical work and fixes to the side that was burned. Earlier this year, Volkswagen donated funds to the California Fire Foundation and also offered to repair Weinraub’s cherished Volkswagen. The news about the repair was announced on June 2, which coincided with the third International Volkswagen Bus Day. Aside from being famous in movies like “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” Volkswagen T2 buses have been homes and transportation for a huge number of people over the years. It was fitting that a simple VW Microbus brought some joy to Southern California amid the terrible circumstances.
