by Carl Norberg  

The staff of Texas Classic automotive recently traveled to the Texas Hill Country to gather more content for our website. While in transit, our eyes couldn't miss the distinct outline of a Volkswagen Bus resting beneath a stand of oak trees no too far from the side of the road. While the van did appear to rest on private property, we couldn't help ourselves from stopping and although there was a fence, the gate was clearly open.

When we approached the bus, we found it slowly sinking in the soft soil where it rusted. The passenger side door was riddled with bullet holes and the cargo area floor board was almost completely consumed by rust. The drivetrain has long-since been removed and probably transplanted. Among hundreds of other parts that have been pilfered, we were extremely surprised to find the rare "barn door" on the rear still attached with its original hardware and all.

The bus shows the lettering of ASCH Appliace Co. Sales and Service. A few hundred yards away stands a barn showing plenty signs of aging, and is full of washers, dryers and refrigerators all in states similar to the VW bus, indicating the bus was probably parked some time ago and that it more than likely sits in it's final resting place.

To the property owners, please accept our apologies for the intrusion and trespassing-- it was all for the sake of preserving another small slice of automotive history.