1980 VW Vanagon Pickup

Here is another custom pickup! Who knew that people had so much free time on their hands? This 1980 Volkswagen Vanagon custom pickup is listed for sale here on Craigslist in Gresham, Oregon, just east of Portland. You knew that Portland would be involved with this one! The seller has done an absolute ton of work on this unique ride and is only asking $3,000 – or they will trade; for what they don’t mention.

 
I’m surprised at how much I like this thing! To say that this custom truck would turn heads is an understatement. The work that has been done looks good so far, but it’ll need your finishing touches “or just drive it the way it is and turns heads everywhere you go” as the seller mentions. I think the oddball factor is high here, but so is the cool factor. It’s been lowered with an air-ride suspension and that gives it a unique touch in my opinion. Being a purist, I normally don’t care for vehicles that have been lowered, but for some reason this one works for me. The body looks good but it’ll need some finishing and the seller says that it has been painted with tinted primer and that the “patina was added later.” There’s that contentious P-word again that draws the ire of so many folks. This Vanatruck even has a rear suicide door on the passenger side for yet another added custom touch, not to mention that the rear hatch opens; well-done, builder!


The clincher on this mod-ride is the engine. You are correct, that is no VW powerplant there, that’s a 2.5 Subaru boxer! Talk about an upgrade–that’s at least twice the horsepower of the original engine. This vehicle would have originally had about 70 horsepower in air-cooled comfort. This primer’d-and-patina’d ride is now powered by a custom RS boxer engine with aftermarket rods and a set of famous and not-inexpensive Wiseco pistons. It’s also been balanced and blueprinted and it has dual Weber carbs and a Tri-Mil header. To top it off, there’s an aluminum radiator and electric fan hiding under the wood bed. You may want to build some sort of shrine…er…I mean, shroud around it, or at least keep it detailed to within an inch of its life when you take it to your local car show, which you will. A nice piece of engineering and fabrication here.

image: http://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/031116-Barn-Finds-1980-VW-Vanagon-pickup-3.jpg

As a purist, I normally like things original but I think that this VW/Subaru creation is a grand slam! The incredible amount of work that has been done here is impressive, even if a person doesn’t care for a cut-up-and-lowered Volkswagen van with a Subaru engine. I see a bright future for this person, they’re super creative and it looks like they do nice work on top of it. $3,000 for the parts alone is a steal, let alone that this is a working and driving vehicle and one that would be cheap entry to any VW or Subaru show. What are your thoughts on this one: are you a purist when it comes to VW Vanagons or is a custom creation like this as appealing to you as it is to me?

Source: barnfinds.com

1952 Volkswagen Beetle

We just recently featured a split-window Beetle that’s got a hefty asking price on it; now, this one here on eBay is about half the price but twice the project as that car. These early VWs are desirable for their rarity and simply for being the initial models available stateside of what would become one of the most memorable vehicles on American roads for generations to come. This one goes a step further as it’s a genuine Zwitter, which was only made for about six months. The question is, does provenance and rarity matter when considering one of the most mass-produced vehicle ever made?

This photo is indicative of the level of work required to bring this special Beetle back to life. It looks like a fire swept through the interior, but it could also be due to prolonged period of exposure to the elements. This car is located in California, so perhaps it sat exposed to a desert climate. At this point, thinking about the amount of work involved, you may be asking yourself why a Zwitter is so special. Well, it has the split rear windows but the dashboard from an oval window car – while it may not amaze you, to the dedicated air-cooled fan, this is likely one of the rarest Bugs ever produced.


Here’s the other reason someone will take this restoration on: that tiny piece of metal that turns one window into two. Of course, there are other features synonymous with an early model, like the trick turn signals mounted in the B-pillars (known as semaphores for the unaware), unique rear tail lights and engine lid. So, to the seller’s credit, it sounds like he has at least tracked down some of the hard-to-find bits that will make the restoration of this split window easier. But I’m guessing due to the limited production run and the car’s disassembled state that there’s still more than a few parts missing that will be difficult to find. I’d be happy to proven wrong, however, and learn the seller has them all stashed away, carefully labeled and bagged up.


Here’s one of the accident-damaged areas the seller references in the ad on the driver’s front side. I’m not sure how you go about correcting this other than stripping the car down and starting over. Even though the other split-window Beetle we featured is more expensive, it could be worth it to not have to dive into correcting poorly-repaired accident damage. Then again, the availability of replacement parts and panels tends to make Beetle restoration fairly seamless, but who knows what variables exist in these hard-to-find early models. Which one would you choose?

Source: barnfinds.com

Split Window: 1952 VW Beetle

I don’t watch much television, when I finally take a break from Barn Finds I don’t really want to stare at another screen, but every once in awhile I like to catch a few minutes of TV. My go to show lately has been American Pickers, I won’t lie I would love to go picking with Mike and Frank someday! I love digging through old junk to uncover our own history (if either Mike or Frank see this, get in touch!). So when I came across this split window Beetle here on eBay, I was pretty excited when I realized it’s Mike’s car. It’s currently in Columbia, Tennessee with a BIN of $28,500 and appears to be at a VW shop.

 

 

When it comes to how cars age, I’ve always been amazed by the look that old Beetles take on as time rolls forward. For a mass produced econo car, they seem to age extremely well. I know how some of you feel about the word patina, but I’ve seen more Bugs with great looking patina than any other car! I don’t want to make anyone upset, so I won’t say this particular car has patina, but I will say that it is nicely aged car that doesn’t so any signs of serious corrosion. I can’t say for certain that it’s all original, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is its original paint.

Now before I go any further, I have to comment on the price. Split window Beetles go for pretty serious money these days, but I think this is a bit high for this one. It has had a lot of work done to it already and is said to be a good driver. If it really is an all original survivor, than the price might not be too far off, but you will want to take a closer look at it before bidding. Hopefully the price is based on originality and condition rather than its ties to a TV show celebrity. Personally, that doesn’t add much if any value to me, no offence Mike!


Given the condition of the interior and the overall look of this car, I’m pretty confident that most of this car is original. Remember it is a 64 year old car and lots of things could have happened to it over the years, so if the price is based on originality you’ll want to make sure it really is before forking over $28k! If it turns out to be a real survivor, do you think it’s worth this kind of money? So who else would like to go out on a pick with the American Pickers? Maybe we could have showdown with Mike and Frank? Nah… but it sure would be fun to go picking with them!

Source: barnfinds.com

1958 VW Beetle

I’ve been looking for inexpensive projects and for $2,800 this VW listed here on craigslist in Conroe, TX might just be one. It’s said to be mostly stock, almost rust free and have no damage history. It was running when the owner started taking it apart to restore it. The transmission is from a later VW and the 1500 engine is an upgrade.

 

 

The engine is said to run, but it’s out of the car, so perhaps they haven’t actually started it. Perhaps they mean “ran when removed”. Given the condition and parts included, could this be a reasonable project if it’s as described? I would leave it as it is and perhaps paint it the original color after I had the mechanicals sorted. What would you do with it?

 

Engine

Front View

Read more at http://barnfinds.com/some-assembly-required-1958-vw-beetle/#d1FBDCBdRrDwZutw.99

1963 Porsche 356

We have featured some really rusty 356s over the years, but this one is different because it actually runs! That doesn’t mean you can just jump in it and drive around though. It still needs a full restoration, but it would be fun to try to make it driveable before tearing it all apart. Ratty Beetles are popular these days, so why not 356s? Forget “outlaws”, we could call them “rat tubs” or “bathtub beaters” or something catchy like that. Could we be on to a new and upcoming trend here? The car is located in Stanley, New York and is listed here on eBay with the auction ending tomorrow.

Source: barnfinds.com

E-Z Camper Project: 1964 VW Type II

 

 

It appears that the EZ company of Little Rock, California converted Volkswagen Type IIs into campers for six years. Here for your review is a 1965 EZ Camper conversion that was done to a ’65 Type II panel van. Listed here on craigslist and now sitting in Shreveport, Louisiana is a 1964 Type II EZ Camper conversion for $12,500.

The seller says that this is an all original unmolested bus that needs a restoration. Some of the missing pieces are two seat cushions and the support rods for the factory side tent.


By the way, the engine, engine bay filler panel and the bay cover are not included with this purchase.


Yes, that is daylight you are seeing through the remains of the floor panel. Too bad this isn’t a 356! Holes and missing floors appear to be worth big bucks when it comes to 356s.


The seller says the roof and drip rails are in very good condition and the body panels are straight. The interior on the other hand is in need of some serious help to be a usable camper ever again.


In 2011, a long, long, time ago, a 1966 restored example sold for a mere $11K. What do you think that ’66 is worth today?  That sure was a good buy when you look at the Micro Bus Bubble today.  There is a phone number available for you to contact the seller if you have any questions concerning this ’64 model.  There are also more images with the ad for your review. Are you up to this project? If so, we think that maybe you wish you had purchased the ’66 for $11K. We wish we had!

Source: barnfinds.com

Ragtop Beetle

 

 

If you’ve been looking for a budget minded classic to have a bit of fun in, this one could be a desirable option. It’s a 1960 Volkswagen Beetle that is a running and driving project car offered for sale in the southern Illinois town of Alto Pass. It’s advertised here on craigslist for $3,200.

 

 

This may be an interesting car due to it’s middle-of-the-road status as a reasonably priced project in need of some work, but unlike so many others, isn’t a hopeless disaster to start with. It has the desirable “rag top”, which is awesome for partaking in some stars or sunshine and air, but without the hassles and inconveniences of a full-on convertible.


The seller says it’s a 1960 body on a 1969 pan, and provides a long list of performance parts, upgrades and recently replaced components. He says it needs an alignment, and a rear main seal in the engine. ‘Rear main seal replacement’ is quite a project on most cars, but how big of a deal is it on this one? Have you ever seen an engine swap done with no power tools in one minute and four seconds? How hard could that be?


The seller’s interior shot leaves a lot to be desired, but he says the car has Hyundai Tiburon front seats installed with custom made brackets. While those certainly won’t appeal to everyone, the damage is probably easy enough to undo and re-install stock (or other aftermarket) seats again.
 
 

 

He also has two other bugs and a four-seat rail for sale, as well as several years worth of accumulation of parts, so he’s probably an interesting guy to talk to if you’re into these.

While it won’t win any awards for originality at Pebble Beach, it might be a lot of fun to fool around with, both on and off road. Parts and support are great for these cars. Do you think this one is a good deal for $3,200?

Source: barnfinds.com