As we all know, old VW Buses are becoming the cheaper but equally bubble-worthy siblings to the Porsche 356s. Although the early multi-window vans are the darling of the air-cooled world, variants like this 1966 Type 2 Pickup here on eBay are also quite desirable to the VW faithful. Sold with a fried motor and a few other issues, a pending re-location has forced the seller to admit with some level of haste that he’s not going to bring this one back.
I’d hate to be in a position where I felt like I had no choice but to sell a project, but in some ways, a rushed decision may make it easier to let go of a vehicle that’s just collecting dust. This VW pickup project looks fairly clean in the photos, but it will still need a fair amount of re-conditioning in addition to the aforementioned engine woes. Rust is also likely a problem, given the sale will include replacement metal (the quantity of which is not disclosed, so we don’t know how bad it is).
One thing is for sure: these were super handy vehicles. In addition to the bed storage, they came with lift-up panels for under-bed storage. When we think about how truck manufacturers today promote features like in-bed toolboxes and other gimmicks, it’s amazing to think that a pickup truck made in Germany in the 1960s already had innovations like extra storage compartments built into the design. No wonder they were a commercial success. For this VW to be complete, you will need to source a replacement tailgate and perform some repairs to the side-bed gate hinges.
As per the good news, this Type 2 appears unmodified or rat-rodded. The transmission and clutch work well, as does the steering. Glass is intact and mostly good, and the original hubcaps are a bonus. The listed opening bid is $5,400 with no action on the auction yet; given some of the prices we’ve seen, that’s not a bad starting point. Sourcing a new motor will be a breeze and although rust repair is said to be needed, I can’t see much in the way of corrosion. I dig these pickups far more than the 21-window Buses; which air-cooled variant is your favorite?
Allow me to summarize:
The bad:
– motor is “fried”
– needs “repair metal”, outriggers, etc, etc
– seller wants $5,400
The good
– when asked (he had to be asked…no, wait, that should be under “The bad”) the seller said he has a clean title in his name
The takeaway: a VW bus with a roof will do most of what this one will do, and more, like carry people in seats or stuff under a roof and out of the weather
OK cool position, but a Bus isn’t a Transporter and will never offer the same functionality. And vice versus.
That’s in better shape than most, and a good starting price, though I’ll bet his reserve is well into the teens. He’d have better luck selling on the Samba site where he has a targeted audience. Repairs aren’t difficult, just time consuming.
$5400 is a great price for this even in this shape. I looked at one last summer that was much worse and the seller got $8500 for it. I’m in Illinois and 12 people from three states came to see it.
Had one it was lots of fun. Paid 1500.00 for it in similar shape restored it and painted it. Sold it for close to 12000.00. Sorry I ever let her go.
Here is the before