Revealed: The Restored VW 'Magic Bus' Surviving a California Blaze

A vintage blue Volkswagen bus, which emerged as an unexpected emblem of endurance after it remarkably endured a significant California wildfire, has now been unveiled to the public, looking as pristine as ever following extensive restoration by Volkswagen.

In January, the bus garnered widespread attention when an Associated Press photographer captured it, surprisingly unscathed amidst the destruction left by the fierce Palisades Fire. This spot of blue and white stood in stark contrast to the ashes of a devastated Malibu neighborhood. Volkswagen was inspired by the AP story to contact the bus's owner, Megan Weinraub. Upon examination, the vehicle showcased scorched paint, heat-induced rust, and a shattered window, despite its external survival.

During its rejuvenation, the 1977 Type 2 Microbus, affectionately called Azul, meaning 'blue' in Spanish, united VW enthusiasts and technicians. This was a collective endeavor to restore the unique middle-aged vehicle.

"The bus had melted, and Volkswagen saved it," remarked Weinraub alongside Preston Martin, the previous owner, on Thursday. "Given my situation, fixing the bus wasn’t my top concern, so this restoration is tremendously relieving."

Known on social media as the 'Magic Bus,' thanks to its remarkable survival story, Weinraub expressed her gratitude for Volkswagen stepping in. "I feel extremely fortunate they restored it, as I couldn't have done it myself," she elaborated.

Weinraub and Martin, still astonished by Azul’s new life, are eager to embark on new surfing expeditions. The last time they saw the bus, untouched by flames, was when they parked it by Weinraub's residence two days before the Palisades Fire erupted.

The AP photographer Mark J. Terrill, who famously captured the bus's dramatic survival, was present when Weinraub and Martin were reintroduced to the bus after its restoration in late October.

Volkswagen transported the microbus to its facility in Oxnard, near Los Angeles, a space dedicated to preserving historic VW models. Technicians Farlan Robertson and Gunnar Wynarski scavenged for rare parts, exercised creativity, and enlisted help from many to bring the bus back to life.

"Our goal was to enhance the vehicle without altering its essence, keeping the original spirit intact," stated Robertson. "It was about reviving and restoring its former splendor, not transforming it."