Like many kit cars of the era, the 1970s Brubaker Box is mechanically a Volkswagen. But it has a layout and fiberglass body that looks nothing like any of the kit cars on the market then and now. Only a couple of dozen or so were built and maybe only a handful are thought to still exist today. This interesting example has been meticulously restored, including a brand-new engine. Located in Aguanga, California, the interesting rarity is available here on eBay. 24 bids have raised the take-home price to $45,000, and it could go higher. Thanks for this coolest of tips go to Joe Alexander and Dale Davis!
The Brubaker Company came up with the concept for the Brubaker Box, based on an extended chassis VW Type 1 (Beetle). It garnered a lot of attention, including being featured on the cover of Car and Driver and in other automotive publications of the day. But financial and production troubles led Brubaker to only build three of them before Automecca, another California, took over and they only produced a group of 25. According to the seller and at least one other source, perhaps only 10 of these have survived in some sort of drivable condition.
This edition from 1971 is one of the Automecca-bodied cars. It was found in the high desert in rather poor condition and largely stripped. Over the past year, an extensive restoration has taken place and the seller thinks it might be the best one you’ll ever find. This vehicle originally wore Jungle Green Metallic paint and that’s what was used for the new finish. The interior is tan with long green shag carpeting that brings back a lot of memories of the ‘70s. Adding to the coolness factor, this van even sports a Kraco 8-track tape deck and an in-dash ice chest!
From the seller’s description, every effort was made to make this “van” period correct. That includes the wheels and tires. The bumpers look like wood, but they’re only done up to seem that way. Not to stop there, the builder found a new 1600-cc VW motor that may have a few modern touches included. Since the restoration project was completed, only about 100 miles have been driven. We suspect it will seriously turn heads wherever you take it. But as far as kit cars go, this one is pricey. The only thing that won’t come with the sale is the personalized set of “BUGNBOX” California license plates. To see a video of parts of the restoration of this nifty machine, click here.
Barn Finds featured on in a poor state a while back. With so few built it might have been the one we saw! This little creation doesn’t just speak early 70’s car culture it shouts it loud and proud. I think it’s Bitch’n and groovy man.
I recalled that BF article as well – here it is: https://barnfinds.com/oddball-collection-1973-brubaker-box-centaur-scooter-more/
Not the same one, as the claimed years are different, but I’ll bet that one is on the way to a complete restoration too.
The picture of all of the magazines that featured the Brubaker Box shows the Car & Driver mag where I first read about this unforgettable machine.
That one is now in California and hopefully will be restored some day. It really wasnt for sale at the time of that post…just a tease for possible production of new bodies that has yet to become a reality.
Neat ride, but when I saw the first one with only one way to get in and out of it I lost interest. Unique design though and a cut above the usual VW based conversions.
At the very least I’d want windows all-around. A sunroof too, maybe a sliding ragtop one.
Looks like there’s a transparent (glass? plexiglas?) panel at the leading edge of the roof, plus another removable but opaque sunroof/targa panel behind that, directly over the front seats.
Ian Roussel built a version of the Brubaker Box with gull wing sides
It still looks like it’s ahead of its time.
Two words: Babe. Magnet.
the box was and still is a ground breaking statement in automotive design. it was in fact not built on an extended vw chasis, but a stock chassis. compared next to a traditional beetle, it seems even tinyer, being shorter in both length and height. yet the interior is massive compared to its size. the designer, Curtis Brubaker also had his hand in helping Bill Lear invent the 8 track tape player, the Lear Jet and Lear helicopter project, besides numerous inventions that we each utilize every day. this was penned by one of the greatest designers of the century. many consider the Tesla Cybertruck as his design, but penned back in 1978 !! some consider it the first true sports mini-van. in any event, true automotive design brilliance that has stood a 50 year test of time. i can’t think of any vehicle on the planet that would attract so much attention.
Many, if not most, kit car designs are amateurish and artistically deficient. The Brubaker, on the other hand, looks modern and well-proportioned. Nice restoration!
Randy on the Carchaeology YouTube channel is the seller. If you want to see the build check out the channel. It was definitely a labor of love.
Kool kar! Not so much to be seen in but to be seen getting out of. If you’re claustrophobic or a little safety conscious you might not enjoy the drive.
That is groovy man.
A friend used to own the molds for the body, and had a few unrestored vehicles. He had to sell them, don’t know where they went.
the molds are being restored in california. they were in Florida for a time. then went up to a Connecticut barn. the barn caught fire and for years the molds were thought to be destroyed. at some point before the fire, they were removed and thrown under a bridge overpass, where they were completely overgrown with years of vegetation until they were accidentally re-discovered.
Dave Shuten restored on for comedian Jeff Dunhan on an episode of Car Kings a few years ago. Interesting story on both the van and Brubaker.
Not sure if it’s the camera angle or what but it looks like the steering wheel is off center of the driver’s seat what a interesting machine
Boy, did I read that license plate wrong!
Definitely reminds me of Hot Wheels from when we were kids. It sure has been nicely restored. It looks like a Dodge Dart steering wheel. The slotted mags are perfect.
The wood bumpers are for the birds. I like the rest of the overall look. To me it seems like a 1970s version of a futuristic vehicle to be used in a film made back then, about several decades into the future.
Curtis Brubaker did design at least one ’70s sci-fi vehicle, the namesake Ark II mobile lab/RV featured in the CBS series of that name, which also featured a cut-down Brubaker Box as the smaller “Roamer” vehicle that deployed out the back of the Ark II.
Even realizing the platform on which it is built, I’m still having trouble grasping its proportions. Parking it beside a current car or truck would put it in perspective.
I vaguely remember years ago seeing a picture of one. Very interesting.
In the linked video, when the guy stands next to the car, you get a sense of how tiny it really is (on the ouside, anyway). Brilliant design.
Thanks for the post on this. Its a car I have lusted for since I was a child. Finding one and restoring it was an incredible experience for me, and while Im bummed I cant keep it, I am greatly enjoying everyone digging on it.
Lets hope it finds a perfect home where it can continue to be shared!
Hey Randy, thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. Although it is a super rare occasion when I see a Brubaker Box, it always takes me back to that article I read in C&D when I was a kid.
Good luck with the sale, and I understand being bummed out with having to sell it, you put a lot of time, effort, and love into it.
Well done sir. I can fully understand your labour of love here. But where the heck did you find green shag carpet?
I found a seller online that carried an area rug with the proper length and twist shag like I remember back in the day. We cut that up and stitched it into mats with binding, etc.
Thanks for covering this, it belongs to my buddy Randy. It’s a very cool vehicle, saw it two Saturdays ago at a private cars & coffee here in Orange County. A great guy to follow on social media, he has a collection of fascinating and unusual cars and trucks and Brubaker Boxes!
Thanks Chris!
@bugnbox is my Instagram if anyone is interested (and is why the plate stays with me)
I had the opportunity to interview Curtis Brubaker in the process of writing an article on the Box. I’m in the process of republishing my old stuff but I haven’t gotten to the Box yet. I will. But for the nonce, Brubaker said his creation was inspired by California surfer vans…
WOW, what a joy to see. PORCHE engine swap and OH BOY!
Sold $68,900, 53 bids.
That is a stunning price.
Yes, but it was in stunning condition!!
It’s still a VW chassis with a fiberglass body.
Hagerty just published an article about this Brubaker Box and the sale. Good read:
https://www.hagerty.com/media/buying-and-selling/auctions/why-an-oddball-70s-surf-van-just-sold-for-68900/