The 1963 Volkswagen 'Light Bus' Is How You Do Automotive Art

With the 50th anniversary of Woodstock nearly upon us, it was only a matter of time before Volkswagen released a commemorative vehicle acknowledging the Microbus. The Type 2, a staple of the hippie movement, was frequently found painted in psychedelic patterns and hues. Case in point is the “Light Bus,” which appeared in numerous photos of the 1969 Woodstock Art and Music Fair — including the official Woodstock album — and became emblematic of the moment.

Driven by (and named after) the Baltimore-based band that drove it, the vehicle eventually vanished into obscurity.

Three years ago, artist Dr. Bob Hieronimus and Canadian documentarian John Wesley Chisholm sought to acquire the van, hoping to restore it to its former glory. Unfortunately, a six-month search turned up no trace of the van, so the two made do with an unmolested 1963 VW Standard Microbus sourced via a crowd-funding campaign. It may not be the Type 2 that attended the historic music festival, but the attention to detail here barely makes that an issue.

Not that long ago, we bashed Lexus for releasing what we believed were low-grade marketing materials masquerading as automotive art. Six months earlier, we did the same thing. Frankly, the opportunities to praise an art car have been few and far between of late. But this Volkswagen checks all the boxes. It’s visually interesting, holds some historical significance, and is definitively high-effort. The project itself even retains much of the hippy-dippy charm that inspired the original, thanks to the personalities of those involved.

“We’ve searched the DMV, hired detectives, even visited famous psychics and remote seers with no luck,” Chisholm said in the midst of their initial scavenging. “We’ve also taken an epic road trip from the top of New Jersey to the bottom of Arkansas search backfields, garages, junkyards, VW shows and shops looking for the bus. No luck. Though we’ve met hundreds of wonderful Volkswagen people along the way who have been so kind and helpful. There really is something of the spirit of Woodstock that lives on in modern bus culture.”

Hieronimus and a team of five artists painstakingly recreated the original paintings from the bus, and the attention to detail is beyond impressive. Seriously, going between the photos of the original van and the modern recreation are genuinely amazing. With the exception of a few misplaced stars and irregularly thick brush strokes, which you have to get extremely close to see, it’s all but identical.

“The bus is really about being one people on one planet,” said Hieronimus. “On every side of the bus is a story — many stories — and the stories all point to unification, working together and a higher consciousness, which is what Light really is all about.”

After learning about the project’s existence, Volkswagen of America supported the search and restoration process. Meanwhile, Volkswagen enthusiasts helped by offering their services and helping the team source the correct parts for a more complete restoration.

Having debuted at the Orange Country Transporter Organization’s Winter Meet in Long Beach, CA over the weekend, the Light Bus is currently in the midst of a cross-country tour preceding the music festival’s 50th anniversary.

[Images: Volkswagen]