It's called Azul, in case you were wondering. It's also known as the 'Magic Bus' - a 1977 Volkswagen T2 bus that somehow, against the odds, survived when all around it was burned during the devastating fire which swept through California in January. The bright blue bus became something of a beacon of hope for the communities hit by the fire - if it could survive, maybe anyone could.
How has Volkswagen restored Azul?
Volkswagen of America got in touch with the bus' owner, Megan Weinraub, when the van appeared in news reports soon after the fire. Once permission from the fire department and state officials had been given, VW rescued the van from its parking spot in Malibu - a parking spot then surrounded by burned-out houses and blackened trees. It was brought to VW America's facility in Oxnard, just north of Los Angeles, which is where the German car maker looks after its US historic vehicles.
What kind of condition was it in?
Pretty bad, but it could be saved. "From the moment we first saw Azul, our goal was to ensure the story of the vehicle wasn't erased by the fires, but brought back to life by restoring it, reuniting it with its owner, and returning it to the road,” said Gunnar Wynarski, vehicle technician at Volkswagen Group of America's Oxnard Facility. "While this special restoration project was a technical challenge, what mattered most was keeping the soul of the vehicle intact.”
At Oxnard, the vehicle team inspected, repaired, or replaced every interior and exterior component of Azul. As a complement to the restoration work completed by Volkswagen, bodywork was led by the team at GE Kundensport, renowned for their restorations of historic Porsche vehicles. Specialised partners supported additional engine refurbishment details and the powder coating of various parts.
The fully-restored Azul is now on display on VW's stand at the LA motor show, as a symbol of resilience in the face of disaster. "Today marks the next chapter in the rich legacy of the Microbus through the restoration of a vehicle that caught the attention of people around the world,” said Rachael Zaluzec, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing and Customer Experience, VW Brand NAR. "We recognise for Megan, Azul isn't just a 1977 T2 but a part of her family. For us, this passionate restoration project has served as a symbol of resiliency, making Azul a part of the Volkswagen family as well.”
How does Megan Weinraub feel about it all?
She's delighted, and not merely because her T2 has been put back into full working order. This is about more than mere vehicle restoration. "When the photo of Azul went viral, I felt like the entire world experienced a piece of my heart. And when Volkswagen reached out to see if Azul really survived, I was touched and couldn't believe it. Seeing it now, I feel it's even more of a symbol of hope than it was before,” said Weinraub.
To commemorate the project, Volkswagen collaborated with Candylab TM to create a limited-edition, wooden collectable version of Azul, highlighted by the custom white-over-blue colour. The collectable is available along with other Candylab-produced collectables only at the Volkswagen booth during the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show, while supplies last.
As well as that, VW has made a significant donation to the California Fire Foundation charity, which supports emergency service personnel and their families.
Can I see Azul myself?
You'll have to head to California, of course, but Azul will be on display at the LA motor show until 30 November, and from 4 December it will be appearing at the famous Petersen motor museum (which is worth the price of a flight ticket to LA all by itself).