Highlights
- On-the-button, mechanically excellent
- Custom interior in very good condition
- Underside in great shape
- Enthusiast owned
The Appeal
The story goes that the Type 2 was invented almost by accident, after workers at VWs factory built a rudimentary box van on a Beetle chassis.
Fast forward a few years, and the Type 2 in all its wonderful forms was an absolute hit, with panel vans, ambulances, campers and - as seen here - single-cab pick-up models being offered for sale (double cabs were also available).
Fast forward a few years, and the Type 2 in all its wonderful forms was an absolute hit, with panel vans, ambulances, campers and - as seen here - single-cab pick-up models being offered for sale (double cabs were also available).
This particular example is an exceedingly rare Brazilian-import model, which has been mechanically overhauled on both sides of the Atlantic, and presents in wonderful condition throughout, in rude mechanical health and ready to use and enjoy, or take the extra 10% way to being a show-winning example.
History/Paperwork
- V5 registered keepers document, showing 0 former UK keepers
- Folder of paperwork and history
- Imported from Brazil, all relevant documentation completed and fees paid
First registered in 1969, this single-cab Type 2 spent the majority of its life in Brazil, with the vendor importing the vehicle during July 2020, and setting about a further mechanical restoration to build upon the aesthetic work already carried out whilst on the other side of the world.
As part of this work, the following areas were addressed:
- New steering rack/box and linkage
- New brakes
- Brake fluid flush and change
- New seatbelts
- New bump stops
- New anti-roll bar
- New H/T leads
- New tyres all round
- Sand-blasted and painted wheels
- General service/tune-up
A bona-fide VW enthusiast and skilled home mechanic, the vendor now states that this single-cab is “95% complete… it has the potential to be a show winner, and certainly turns heads as it sits… I’m only moving it on to fund another project which has sat dormant for a number of years.”
Included with the vehicle is the V5, and a selection of documentation and paperwork included in a folder.
The Interior
- Custom-trimmed seats, door cards and headliner in great condition
- Dashboard, floors and bed present very well
- Under-floor storage area tidy and solid
Inside, the cabin of this ’69 Type 2 presents very well indeed, having been treated to a re-trim and other aesthetic works prior to being imported into the country by the vendor.
The custom-made headliner, door cards and seats remain in excellent condition, with minimal signs of wear visible during our inspection, and certainly no damage, rips or tears making themselves known.
Elsewhere, the floors are also in good condition, as is the metal dashboard. The steering wheel and shifter display a commensurate usage patina in keeping with the vehicle’s age.
The vendor notes that the speedometer/fuel gauge is currently inoperable, and the mileage is not believed to be genuine.
In the rear, the metal-lined bed presents very well indeed, with only a few small areas of wear and ageing visible upon close inspection. The rails and wooden edging boards show some more visible wear, though this is, again, in keeping with the vehicle’s age.
Below the bed, the storage space is in very good condition, with no sign of any issues and the spare wheel being present and correct.
The Exterior
- Two-tone paintwork in great condition
- Recently sandblasted and painted wheels with nearly-new tyres
- A genuine head-turning example
On the outside, the classic lines of the split-screen Type 2 remain largely untroubled by time, with the bodywork presenting very well on the whole. The only particularly noteworthy issue can be found on the lower front bumper, where there is a dent with cracked paintwork, visible in the photographs below.
Similarly, the paintwork presents fantastically, finished in a wonderful colour combination. This is - quite clearly - not the original paintwork, but it suits this Type 2 very well nonetheless. There are a few small runs/imperfections visible, but on the whole the paint remains in excellent shape.
All four wheels remain free of any kerbing, large marks or damage, and are wrapped in matching tyres with plenty of life left in them.
During our photo shoot, we had numerous people stop us and ask questions or marvel at this ‘splitty’ which only goes to show the vendor is right in saying it wouldn’t take much to make it a show-worthy example.
The Mechanicals
- Characteristic air-cooled flat-four engine
- Significant recent underside/mechanical works
- No known faults or issues
Starting with ease, showing a clean exhaust and providing that wonderfully characterful ‘chug’ from the air-cooled flat-four that we all know and love, the engine in this Type 2 is in excellent condition, and the vendor reports that there are no known mechanical issues with the engine, transmission or chassis.
Badged up as a 1500 and registered as such, the vendor is quick to state that he cannot be 100% sure that it is a genuine 1500. It has the correct single-port injection and looks correct, though it has not been independently verified.
Underneath, the chassis has been protected and partially restored, and remains in wonderful condition throughout. although the Vendor does inform us of some minor weeping offside rear oil seal.
The vendor has also recently serviced and given the mechanicals of this Type 2 a ‘going-over’ which we’ve detailed in the ‘history’ section above.
The vendor has also recently serviced and given the mechanicals of this Type 2 a ‘going-over’ which we’ve detailed in the ‘history’ section above.
Summary
With a well-deserved cult following, the Type 2 in all its forms will prove popular wherever it goes, though many enthusiasts have a certain ‘soft spot’ for the Single Cab, and this is a wonderful example of the breed.
A genuine Brazilian import, mechanically excellent and able to be used and enjoyed as it sits whilst drawing plenty of attention, or an ideal candidate to take it ‘over the final hurdle’ and restore the bodywork to show standard, this is an opportunity not to be missed by any air-cooled VW enthusiast or business looking for a commercial vehicle that will make them stand out from the crowd.
