When a car you have always desired starts to gain popularity, and the prices of available models begin to soar into the unobtanium stratosphere, you start to look at “project” cars that would have been parts cars 30 years ago. This 1967 VW Type 2 Double Cab may be one of these projects. Despite not having an engine or a title, this rig in Lake Crystal, MN, has an asking price of $8,000. Is this price too steep for this project?
The double cab, or “Doka” (short for DoppelKabine), has an interesting history. Volkswagen started producing the Type 2 microbus in 1950 and added a “truck” in 1952, known as a single cab. Legend has it that a florist in the mid-50s approached German coach-builder Binz to create a transporter with internal and external storage for his business, and the double cab was born. VW liked it so much that they contracted Binz to produce these double cab variants until 1959, when they took over production from Binz. These early double cab Binz’s are especially valuable in the market, and if you ever have the chance to check one out in person, take a close look at how Binz constructed these ‘cabs.
This 1967 model represents the final year for the split windscreen, and it is ready for an industrious buyer to restore it to its former glory. This rig needs a fair amount of rust repair, but due to the robust aftermarket for these Type 2s, quality replacement panels are easy to come by. While the motor is missing, the transaxle and the reduction boxes are present, which are getting harder and harder to find. Or take out the boxes and use some ’68 Beetle long axles and modified axle tubes to lower it and make it a freeway flier (make sure to flip that ring gear!). Another issue is the missing title, but anyone with some time (and a bit of money) can manage this fairly easily.
What is your take on this project? Do you think it is overpriced? Or is it a solid starting platform for a desirable project? A double cab has been on the short list of my desired project cars, but as with all the early German vehicles lately, the prices they are realizing are outside an average Joe’s (i.e. my) budget. The VW community is an excellent place for gearheads, though. Even though many air-cooled VW models are becoming blue-chip collectibles, you can still find deals and friends willing to trade and barter to help you with your project. Could they help you turn this double cab into your dream ride? If so, check this ride out here on Craigslist, and thanks again to Zappenduster for sending in this tip!
I worked with an engineer in the 1980s who had a single cab version of one of these. He installed a Ford V-8 under the bed, close coupled to the rear axle, with a side-mounted radiator. He even brazed embossed round VW insignias into the valve covers. It was all done in a professional manner. He told the story of picking up a hitchhiker from Europe who commented on how fast his VW was compared to home. My friend replied, “We have much better gas here.”
No title is a harder thing to acquire these days.
I have a sweet spot for these trucks.
Priced high for conditioning and title.
I remember seeing an oval window Beetle in the 1980’s that had an Olds v8 with a Toronado transaxle. Did not see it running but I am sure it was a scary ride. Does anyone else remember the ads in the back of VW magazines years ago about putting “Corvair superpower” in your bus?
I remember putting a Corvair engine in a panel van and it was pure fun and perfect for climbing mountains as the support vehicle for our weekend motorcycle runs. It belonged to one of the men working for me and he knew l had owned one and also knew Porsches so I got pulled into the project.
Oy, I was just watching an older episode of American Pickers, and this Mike is having some guy restore a 23 window, in very similar condition. The thing was wasted, but this Mike bought it anyway. So far, the repair guy has over $5,000 in new reproduction metal, and has an estimate of $40 GRAND (and changing daily) to restore it. He claims it’s worth $200,000 when done. According to recent auctions, that price has dropped in half or more.
We never saw these types of VWs in Milwaukee, we barely saw a regular pickup. It would seem like a logical idea that VW had long before the US pickups became these, but who knew? I’ve ridden in a couple buses, I simply can’t understand the attraction, they are horribly inept in almost every way. I think when this is finished, and there are still enough VW folks that will, I wonder about its value in the future.
To Uncle Ed^: Yes I do remember that swap, but I think the Corvair motor rotates the opposite of VW and the transmission had to be re-engineered? I believe it may have come in a kit or simply used the Corvair transaxle. A company called “Crown Conversions” in California( where else) supplied the kits.
Crown conversions sounds right. And all I seem to remember was being told the kit used the corvair powerglide transmission. Back in the day I knew a guy that had that conversion as one of the multiple plans that he was going to get around to some day but never did. I only remember because I thought at the time he should just buy a corvair van and be done with it
I would trust any “valuation” put out by that show, everything was pre-scouted and staged. The numbers they threw out were for dramatic effect, just like they were on Fast and Loud and similar treasure hunting show.
It’s not surprising values of early split window vans have dropped, they were a fad, those people have moved, but there is a strong enthusiastic base that will keep chasing after them, especially rare models like this. Even though they don’t make for a great driving experience that’s not the attraction and never was, it’s their quirky nature that draws enough people in that it’s unlikely their prices ever collapse, if it does that will be decades from now.
Steve R
Steve R–really?? You think those shows are staged??? Honestly . . . I’m shocked.
MGSteve, the problem is, there are some people that don’t realize they are. Even if they do, why do you think people quote prices from them?
There is a basic disconnect, thrash these shows until it’s useful for their narrative or can be used to line their wallet.
Steve R
You want it? Take it. Far too much work for the end product.
Crown Manufacturing out of Costa Mesa Ca was the first to offer a Corvair to VW conversion kit. The Corvair engine does have to be set up for reverse rotation. Ted Trevor, who started Crown Manufacturing also made 4 spider gear conversions for the VW transaxle he called the Beef-a-Diff. Crown later developed a kit to convert the 65-69 Corvairs to a mid-engine V8 configuration.
I once owned a Corvair powered VW van. Bought it when I came back to Maryland after enlisted military service in Germany and a European separation during which time I lived in a VW van. Believe the Corvair swap had been done on the left coast. Bought it mainly because it was a solid side. There was a unique area in Maryland called Tacoma Park where I was living and where at the time you could get Bug convertibles out of residence yards in exchange for towing them away. When the van ran, original brakes required a change of underwear after every outing.
Survived the time for countless subsequent regretful auto fetes.
A buddy and I had a “business” of exchanging running, installed VW engines after I got out of the Army in 1975 living in Arlington, VA. We had a stock of engines and parts, and would typically replace the #3 piston and jug that frequently overheated due to the oil cooler location. There was no warranty, it was sold as a good running, non-smoking engine, and we did it super cheap. We had more customers than we could handle on a part time basis. We shut it down after my roommate got out of the Army and went back to FL. WE did this in a 3rd floor apartment carrying the engines up the stairs!
You weren’t alone, my friend. A HS buddy had a ’58 Bug, that we had that repair down to a science. It was actually #3 exhaust valve that got hot and broke because the oil cooler was right above it( relocated in later engines). It usually gave no warning, until that awful rattling sound, followed by silence. We would tow the car home, had a makeshift 2×4 lift and a bumper jack, 4 bolts, had the motor out, dragged it to his moms kitchen and took it apart. The local junk yard always had a pile of 36 HP motors, and he’d get a head and used piston, maybe $20 bucks, we had it going that very night. I think we did that 3 times. Once his mom came home early, and was not too happy.
Oooh, splitty Doka…!
Is there anything in the gearbox? Can’t see an input shaft to engage with the clutch plate.
I wouldn’t say that the price was outrageous. Quite dear, but it’s rare; work trucks don’t often survive as they’re worked into the ground.