Rusty Redemption: 1966 VW Single Cab Split Window
This project is full of possibilities. The popularity of early Volkswagens is undeniable and with the increased interest comes increased values. This 1966 VW single-cab, split-window pickup resides in Sanford, Florida and already has a lot of rust repair done. Found here on Craigslist with an asking price of $9,000, this pickup should make a great project for the next owner.
According to bustopia.com: “Shortly after developing the Microbus and Panel Van, Volkswagen realized that there was a strong demand for a pickup as well. Based on the same platform as the other transporter models, the Single Cab pickup provided a single bench seat for the driver and 2 passengers up front with a large pickup bed at the rear.” While it won’t haul you and eight friends to the nearest Grateful Dead concert, it will haul a decent amount of cargo. You can see some square tubing has been installed in the bed which will serve as a great starting point for a floor installation. The bed sides also fold down, which makes these trucks very unique. Cargo is easier to load and unload and the custom options are endless.
The cab in any Volkswagen is not a massive space, these pickups are no exception. The split bench seat obviously needs reupholstering, but the new owner could get away with a seat cover for now. Other than the floors, the cab appears to be mostly stock. These trucks were purpose built and lacked any creature comforts for sure.
Here is another angle showing the new floors. These trucks were prone to rust and it’s good to see that some work has been done already. As long as the rust was cut back to solid metal and the welds are quality, this should be a good starting point to continue rebuilding. How would you finish this project? Restoration? Full Custom? Or somewhere in between? Let us know.
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Comments
Awesome! You can’t trash talk any air cooled boxer vw there cheap to fix and reliable as hell…as long as you’re not in a rush to go anywhere.
This is a vehicle that will be a solid investment as the millennials love em too.
BTW I’m a gen xer born and raised Mopar😄
Too nice to modify.
Drop it on the deck, preserve the patina outside, floor the bed and make the inside nice as can be. Drop in a hot flat four and have fun!
The patina looks forced on the sides.
There is a young guy in town with a lowered flat black truck like this. Not my style, but I always smile when I see it. And I see it alot as its by the beer store. I will look closer someday to see if is a split window. Oh, and I fell for the Bustopia site.
I never got in to the VW craze but everyone has their thing and that’s fine with me.
My double cab1966,my 61 single cab, and 66 camper were stolen in Micanopy Florida over 30 years ago.I miss my air cools.but when I see over priced rust for sale like this,well it is a memory killer.I do body work and can see well over 500 hours of work.Yes the butchers will bondo her up put some cheap paint on her and in the end you will still have a bucket of rust.So first is a total strip out,off to the alkie tank and coating tank.then have buckets of money…this is an easy$30 to$ 40 thousand rebuild. And a word on patina turkeys,either you dont have the skills to make it right or just lazy or have lived in the trailer park to long.Easy boys just having fun!
to
Mustie1 on YouTube has a 68 double cab that he is redoing. He has also a 59 single cab called Crustie. Go check him out as he is very down to earth.
I have learned to enjoy these trucks as their uniqueness is undoubted.
With cab floors and box floors needing replacement, there will be much more rust repair ahead. To me, it seems way too much money! Chuck in Kansas