The Volkswagen double-cab pickup truck is a variation of the microbus
In honor of the 65th birthday of the Volkswagen bus, the Pick of the Week is a rare VW that should appeal to the legions of microbus enthusiasts.
This 1965 Volkswagen Transporter is a three-door double-cab pickup truck, with one door on the left (the driver’s) and two on the right, the back door accessing the rear seat. Double- and single-cab pickups are variations of the VW microbus.
From the photos, it looks like this truck is in great condition in sparkling blue-and-white with some custom touches, such as a lowered body and what could be Porsche 911 wheels or replicas.
It’s hard to tell the details because the dealer advertising the VW on ClassicCars.com gives only a scant description of what it is. (People, if you’re trying to sell a car, why not spend 10 extra minutes and write a complete description?)
All that the San Juan Capistrano, California, seller writes about this pickup is, “A very rare 1965 Transporter three door, restored to a nice driver, runs and drives great. Numbers matching and done in correct color.”
By “numbers matching,” one might assume that the VW has the original drivetrain from which it came from the factory. And down in the specifications, it’s noted that only 14,944 miles are showing on the odometer, which if accurate would make this a prime choice for a collector.
The asking price is right up there at $48,990, but nicely restored VW buses and pickups have been selling for high dollars for a number of years, and they make regular appearances at the top collector-car auctions. If this Transporter is all the dealer says (or doesn’t say) it is, then this probably is market price. For now.
Why honor this vehicle. I always hated the VW bus and its variants. What a ridiculously unsafe design. You’d be safer on a bicycle at 55 mph. At least you’d be a smaller target.
aajax needs to get his head examined. I have never seen a 3 door before. Variety is a good thing, keep up the good work I injoy reading all your blogs. Thanks Paul
Classic in a true sense, a people car with history, not every classic has to have a race history or a luxury badge…. Old VW’s ignite a spark in many of our lives that will live long past many of our lives and current day to day models
VW- best vehicle ever built. Thanks for sharing
“…a bicycle at 55 mph…” ?? I won’t dignify that with a comment.
This Transporter is cool because it’s so different. It’s essentially a rear engine Crew Cab pickup from 1965! I think they’re pretty rare. A guy here picked one up that was formerly a European military vehicle 2 years ago. What a crowd it drew!
Put 244,000 miles on mine, and never been hurt by it. And what or purposeful vehicle can say it is worth 20x more than you paid for it 40 years ago.
My mother drove me and assorted neighborhood kids to school in a VW bus in the late 50s/early sixties. Never let us down (I should say that it never let my mother down; she got us to school, which was–at times–kind of a letdown for us kids).
aaajax, with that opinion why are you even on this site? Go shop on Auto Trader for something with 8 air bags, traction control, ABS, etc.
I have a. Mint 65 Crucab in the garage. I don’t think about it until I get it out to move someone.
Hey Cher.I love the fact that you only think about it when you have to move someone that’s cool. If you ever fancy moving it out of your way permanently I’d appreciate the opportunity of first refusal on it. James
This is so beautiful, I can barely speak! I love this vehicle. Wish I had one… :>) It makes me smile.
I had a 1965 Transporter mini bus as my first car and what a blast that car was.The whole neighborhood fit in it and we had some great fun in it. I would love to have another one now I have come to the realization that it isn’t going to happen unless I win the lottery because I will never have that kind of money.In 1969, I bought that 1965 bus for $750.00.I wish I had kept it stored in my garage and could have restored it a little bit at a time because it would be a real sweet ride these days.
i’d take it, but I’m $48,989.00 short
I am wanting to buy a crew cab that is a ready to go driver and I have cash.
Feel free to contact me
Steve
Steve 408-644-5017
[email protected]
I have a crew cut. Wonder if I would get a discount
I just wish they would update hell on weels
My father worked at the first VW dealership in Vallejo, CA. as a part-time salesman. His main job was building Submarines at Mare Island Navy Yard. As a Journeyman Machiinist he loved the simplicity of design and of course the reliability of VW. We went on family vacations to Utah and then Oregon in a Microbus on a yearly basis and camped in the Redwoods. A magical tiime for sure. I have owned 3 busses myself. My first car a 1957 Panel, a 1965 bus with pancake engine, and then a baywindow when I lived in Denver in 1976. Cheerz to VW