The VW Type II or Type 2 pickup, or Transporter, is an interesting vehicle, and in typical Volkswagen fashion, it impacted the types of vehicles available from other manufacturers. It wasn’t the first cab-forward pickup but it’s hard to argue that this 1962 Volkswagon Type 2 pickup would draw a crowd at any gas station or grocery store, or especially any car show. It’s listed here on eBay in impossibly beautiful San Diego, California and the current bid is $7,800, but the reserve isn’t met.
Our own Russ Dixon showed us a Type 2 pickup just a couple of weeks ago here on Barn Finds, and Barn Finds senior writer Jeff Lavery showed us a similar color Type 2 pickup a couple of years ago here. The seller has basically uploaded only four vertical photos, sigh, but it is what it is. We don’t really expect it to get any better in 2025 as more and more people use their phones to take pics of their vehicles. In any case, from what is visible this Transporter/pickup looks good other than being incredibly faded.
It’s almost worth $7,800 to me just because I want to see if it could be brightened up with a buffer and some polishing compound. Or maybe it’s best just to keep it the way it looks now for the most impact at Cars & Coffee events. Would a faded Dove Blue Type 2 pickup draw a bigger crowd than a perfectly shiny newly-painted Dove Blue example? This is it for interior photos but at least it’s one and it’s from the driver’s side so that’s great. The seller says this “pickup” has a little rust on the roof but is solid otherwise, and it sounds like it’s been mechanically sorted and it runs and drives great. It looks like some water has entered the cab on the passenger side door wood panel, I’d want to check out what’s behind that panel.
I can’t forget Michelle’s article on the crazy nice Type 2 that she showed us last summer here. I’ve never owned a VW Type II/2 so one in any condition would be fun for me, at least if it runs and drives great. This one should have a VW 1.5-liter boxer-four with around 50 horsepower, but we don’t know as the seller doesn’t list an engine size or give a VIN. They do show a short video of the engine running and it sounds great, and it should be sending power through a four-speed manual to the rear wheels. There’s a cool and unique under-bed storage “drawer” and I really wish the seller had taken the time to show more photos. I’ll never understand that, I always wonder if more bidders would be in if they had more to go on. Would you bring this Type 2 pickup back to like-new condition or leave it as it looks now?
San Diego is the ideal place to find these; less chance of serious rust.
I worked with an automotive engineer many years ago who had a beat up VW identical to this one, except for a scoop midway on the driver’s side and wider tires in the rear. These were the only external clues to the Ford V-8 (with side-mounted radiator with fans) and Ford rear axle installed under the bed. I forget what transmission was in it. He picked up a European hitchhiker once who was impressed with his “VW pickup”. My coworker said, “We have much higher performance gasoline in the United States than in Europe”. That guy is probably still telling that story at home…
The finish on this one isn’t merely patina-it’s a novel!
I have a 66 in much better shape than this and they are great, practical simple trucks with an iconic design.Mine gets photographed everywhere I go.Just please lose the spare wheel on the fron..it ruins that lovely”nose ” withthe bug VW badge..Someone will snap this up.BTW mine has “at least” a 1600 dual port ( may have a big bore but the seller didnt have a clue0 twin carbs and an EMPI muffler and it scoots as its so much lighter than a full bus
There’s a lot more rust then just the roof. Look at the windshields for an example. There’s lots of ugly under all silicone, or whatever it is.
I have to agree with Malcolm get rid of the spare tire thing on the front I think it would be a fun little truck to have.8+k and still haven’t cracked the reserve
You mean the exterior rash protection?
Jeez… Remember when you used to be able to buy these for 500 bucks… Those were the days…
Aren’t these pretty rare, and this one doesn’t look bad in faded blue I think. The engine looks a little neglected with the cracked belt and dirty fuel filter. We need to wonder about regular oil changes then. But body wise pretty good. Who was the man on YouTube in Massachusetts that fixed one like this in much worse shape with rust everywhere?
Looks like a lot of engine mods. I see a carb on the left and I don’t know what that is on the right.
Auction update: this one made it to $11,500 and the reserve wasn’t met. It’s been relisted with a $15,500 buy-it-now price or you can make an offer.
Auction update II: someone must have made them an offer, this one has been sold.