Chris Young purchased his 1964 DeLuxe 21-Window Volkswagen Station Wagon in November of 1984, when he was 22-years-old.  It was a perfect find for him, because he loved the beach life and also had a passion for old collector cars.  At that time, old Woodies were prevalent on the beach scene, but young Chris couldn’t afford one, so he went with the less expensive alternative, a VW Transporter, which was a reliable vehicle that could haul just as much as a Woodie.

Chris had stumbled across this particular bus at an auction, where it didn’t sell.  He left a note on the unsold vehicle, including his contact information, and the original owner had called him before he had even made it home from the show.  After some negotiating, Chris was the second owner of the ’64 VW.

Twenty-some-years later, Chris still brings his station wagon to car shows, and he is an active member of OCTO, which stands for Orange County Transporter Owners- which is affiliated with NEATO, the North East Association of Transporter Owners. 

The bus has won between 70-80 awards during Chris’ ownership, and he continues to bring it to car shows, including this upcoming weekend’s Beachcruiser Meet in downtown Huntington Beach, CA.

And while awards are always nice, Chris says that the real highlight of his time with the VW was in December of 1999, when he received a phone call from Playboy Magazine, requesting the usage of his vehicle for the centerfold of the May 2000 issue.

Puzzled, you may think: “A car as the centerfold?” 

But, yes, the car was used in the May 2000 centerfold spread—as the backdrop for Playmate Brooke Berry, who coincidently is the niece of Jan Berry, who is half of the old surfer band Jan & Dean. 

A beach bunny, herself, Brooke Berry hoped to also use the old VW in her 60’s-themed Playboy video, in addition to the magazine spread.  Chris was more than happy to grant her wish. 

And, after a little more time passed, another request was made: To bring the bus to the mansion to recreate that same 60's scene for a party held for Brooke.  Certainly, Chris was all for the opportunity.

He recalls coming up to the Playboy Mansion, for Brooke’s “Coming Out” party.  The valet workers looked at him and his bus, with suspicion, but Hugh Hefner approached them, saying “That bus goes right here!” 

Chris’ experiences with his Transporter, which has been pegged “The Playboy Bus,” are phenomenal and memorable.  Chris plans to continue maintaining and showing off his ’64 VW, along with his other collector car, a 1932 Harwood Bodied Ford Roadster.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin