If the craze around Type 2 Volkswagen Buses wasn’t already at a fever pitch, another contender enters the room: this is a 1965 Type 2 Bus called a “Half Cab” or “Bachelor Cab”, which features an extended bed that cuts through where the passenger side of the cab used to be. This is an exceptional choice for a lumber transport vehicle, or a way to bring your fleet of dirt bikes to the motocross course. It’s also a great choice if you don’t like the annoyance of “chatter” that passengers always seem determined to make. Whether VW called it a “Half Cab” from the factory isn’t confirmed, but photos of other examples do exist. Find it here on craigslist for $32,500.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Boot for the find. Now, the Type 2 pickup with the folding-down bedsides was already pretty cool and incredibly hard to find. This one has to be off-the-charts-rare considering I’ve never seen one, and any data on the information super highway is incredibly hard to find. What’s harder to deduct is whether it’s more convenient to have the space to haul awkwardly-sized objects or the room for another passenger. I suppose it all comes down to what you do with your vehicle on a daily basis, but with the extended bed and fold-down side panels, there’s very little this half-cab couldn’t find a way to haul.
It’s almost like you’re driving an Isetta inside, considering the space for just a solitary occupant. Actually, the Isetta may have more room than a half cab like this. The Bachelor Cab nickname is pretty hilarious, but also totally fitting considering how difficult it would be to go on dates if this was your only vehicle. The single driver’s seat appears to be in good shape, but curiously, the seller never mentions the word “restored.” It seems that based on the description, the VW has been improved where it needed work but otherwise left alone. The engine is a newer dual port 1600, paired with a rebuilt German Solex carburetor.
Pictures show a sweet front bumper with overriders and some period-correct driving lamps. Rust is said to be minimal, contained to a minor hole in the floor pan and similarly small spot in the runner. New parts include the tires, battery, and wiring harness, and some new-in-the-bag steering components will be sold with the VW. The asking price doesn’t seem terrible considering the survivor-like condition and the rarity of the model, but this is also the kind of rig that requires either a very specific intended purpose (like a surf shop) or an individual owner who simply loves Type 2s and the variety of variations they came in. The seller notes downsizing and a move to Florida as the reason for the sale.
It’s located in Lewisburg,PA.
This is the first time I have seen one. Definitely purpose built and looks like it would be intended for roadwork. I could see a worker standing on the passenger side setting traffic cones. Probably not! but that’s what my feeble brain saw when I first looked at it.
Incredible condition, it won’t last long at that price. The front bumper was made by Hurst, the shifter company.
Posted 15 days ago and still available.
What’s with the siren?
This is exactly the same price as that VW Samba bus that was in rusty pieces in several boxes. I think this is the better buy!
In pic #8 of his ad there’s what sure looks like a front wheel bracket for a motorcycle.
I have absolutely no use for this but I absolutely want it. Bad.
What an odd duck. I found 3 of these on an image search, including this one, so it seems there were/are others but even The Samba didn’t have info. The most permutations I could find was in a Dutch brochure, (including a dump truck). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/65fleetbook_belgium.php
A perfect vehicle for a solo vacation.
Ther might not be much room for your date inside that cab but imagine the fun in that nice extra large bed😀😀😀😀😀. I love this truly ……….single cab……..what a cool and rare rig.
‘Grab hold of the bumper, honey. We’re going for a ride!’
they don’t even have one in the VW museum in Wolfsburg Germany.
I think I can say, with some measure of certainty, I’ve seen it all. Well, not really, but I’m one step closer. Wow!
Wow How many built ?Ware do you look for that answer? Ware do you put the stereo speakers? How many surfboards or kegs of beer will it hold?
I would have to mock up a missile launcher with that thing. A twenty foot long 18″ PVC tube with fins and a nose cone bolted on would be good for the casual sunday freeway drive. Especially if driven by a little old lady with a pill hat and pearl necklace. Incongruity at its finest.
I am the proud owner of a very nice 1966 single cab here in Sonoma that gets loads of attention wherever we go. I cannot imagine the attention this would get..and that price seems very reasonable to me. Living in the Ca. Wine Country I could see a boutique winery snapping up this supercool VW for their deliveries. Thanks so much for bringing it here. BTW a regular single cab like mine seats three across the front so this might not be that tight inside after all.
Would be ideal for the Farmers Market. Setting up a wine display on this would be a major attention getter.
We?
While I never saw or even heard of a VW like this, I have seen plenty of Mack Trucks and Internationals with the single cab design used to transport steel beams for delivery. I used to live near the home of Bethlehem Steel and Mack Trucks.
I suppose you could use this to haul aluminum beams.
Remember seeing larger versions of this concept while working at Cummins N.W. Diesel. They also sold other brands of engines. Swapped in a new industrial version Ford Y block, so the truck was ‘50s-early ‘60s. Cab was square, purpose built. Truck was owned by a steel company. Never seen a VW version. Great find!
I’ve seen this displayed at the Air Cooled Gathering in Flanders, NJ every September. I didn’t talk to the owner but it sure looked factory. Very cool.
Add a tilt bed, and mount your surplus rocket launcher.
Coulda been used by the movie/tv industry.
Super cool truck, but in my opinion, only worth 32.5K if it’s loaded with lumber.
So the VW is worth nothing? :)
SDJames,
Very funny, unless you are a homebuilder right now!
At least it’s not in a box like a rusty jigsaw puzzle ! Neat , but I still can’t fathom the prices they get .
They had an optional “Mother-in-law” version as well….came with a lawn chair bolted to the front deck with a burlap seat belt.
I have been into Volkswagens since about 1982. My first car was a 1969 Type 1 with the god-awful Automatic Stickshift.
Read all the Hot VWs magazines back in the day, have several books on Volkswagens (admittedly focused on Beetles) and this is the first I’ve ever heard of this version of the Type 2. Wow! Learn something new every day!
Great for hauling long boards for a surf shop! Perfect advertising for a surf shop!
Love it, even though it hurts my eyes.
I have to admit I’ve seen pictures of a couple of these before, but never in person. It’s one odd duck IMO and though I’d never have a use for one, I’d love the chance to drive one just to say I had.
Located in Lewisburg, PA
55 years have gone by and I have never seen one of these. (Talk about a conversation starter at the next ‘cars and coffee’ meet!)
That is neat and I never saw a half cab before. It is in really nice shape. Would go over great a car shows…
Lets see . . . It’s got a siren on a substantial front bumper mount, and it has room for long ladders . . .
Perhaps this was originally a fire engine for a medium size factory? Put the long ladders on one side, and the other fire equipment on the bed behind the driver.
He has pictures of two others in his ad for comparison I suppose. Both having a steel bed and canopy (and bars for canopy) back from the cab without drop down sides. Very interesting as well.