Usually these early Volkswagen pickups are a nightmare with extensive rust and missing bed sides. Fortunately this barn found 1961 model goes against the grain and is remarkably solid and complete. With the clock ticking down on this auction, this VW is a great start to a rare and elusive single cab project. Bidding has risen to $6,600. Check it out here on eBay out of Silverhill, Alabama.

The air cooled flat four is still in place, but looks a bit crispy and forgotten. Thankfully these engines are incredibly simple to work with, and reviving one without catastrophic damage is usually no hassle at all. I would assume this VW has been sitting a few decades so any and all mechanical systems likely need attention.

Although not quite perfect, the interior is quite nice considering. Appearing very original minus a steering wheel wrap, and a steering knob, this interior lends a hint to this VW’s past. The only noticeable issue with the interior is that the driver side of the seat is blown out and ripped. Also the seller took a picture of the cab floors to show how solid they are, and even I am impressed. There is a small area of surface rust developing on the driver side but it is not threatening in the least.

The good news is that most of the body work is rock solid. The not so great news is that one of the previous owners removed the panels the fold down bed and the bed sheet metal. The current seller suspects this was done to allow this VW to haul larger items. Although the side panels were saved, sadly the tailgate was not found. So worst case scenario you are looking at bed sheet metal, and perhaps some minor bed support slat repair along the way. As a whole this is a very nice find as these pickups did not take well to time and the elements. All said and done, this could be a rather valuable VW upon its restoration. Who knows the VW market has been slowly rising, and VW buses and pickups are popular with many. Would you take on this VW project?