A vintage blue Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus, nicknamed Azul, has been restored by Volkswagen after surviving the deadly Palisades Fire in California. The bus gained widespread attention in January when an Associated Press photograph showed it remarkably intact amidst the destruction of a Malibu neighborhood.
Volkswagen contacted the owner, Megan Weinraub, who confirmed that while the bus had survived, it sustained smoke damage, blistered paint, rust, and a heat-damaged window. The restoration process involved technicians at Volkswagen's historic vehicle facility in Oxnard, who sourced rare parts and collaborated with the broader community of Volkswagen enthusiasts to bring the 1977 model back to its former glory.
The restored Azul was unveiled at the LA Auto Show, symbolizing resilience and bringing people together. Weinraub expressed relief and disbelief that the bus, initially considered lost, is now functional and ready for future adventures, such as surfing trips.
The owner, along with the bus's previous owner, Preston Martin, had last seen Azul two days before the fire.
