1963 VW Type 2 Transporter

Vehicle Overview

This is a 1963 VW Type 2 Transporter in Red with Tan.

Volkswagen’s post-war Type 2 Transporter was the German automaker’s first step past the very popular Type 1 Sedan (a.k.a. Beetle), whose floor pan was intended to be the base for this new utility vehicle. The Type 2 would receive a unique, advanced unit-body design because the Sedan’s floor pan couldn’t support the payload that Volkswagen wanted to offer, and the first production Transporters were introduced in 1950.

The Transporter used as many of the Sedan’s mechanical components, including the four-speed manual gearbox and rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer four-cylinder engines of 1,200, 1,300 and 1,500cc. A heavy-duty torsion bar suspension and reduction boxes, whose two spur gears on the ends of both axles reduced the transmission’s final drive ratio to 5.73:1, gave the Type 2 a respectable 3/4-ton payload and a 50-65 MPH top speed–and it sipped fuel while American trucks guzzled.

The car offered here features an acceptable red paint job and period correct lower white bumpers, front and back. Pop-out safari split windows with the doors sporting the horizontal sliding glass options. Back glass also pops open with hand spun tabs.

All three sides of the bed fold down with a simple pin release with left and right sides able to stay tall when the other sides are down. Storage lockers can be found on both sides of the cab below the bed. During prior ownership the wooden bed slats were replaced but showing some nice patina and consistent wear.

The interior is unique with custom leather pattern inserts stated to be new-old-stock from a 1967’s Monterey Pop Festival vendor. A MP3 plugin is also available to use to match with the aftermarket Alpine stereo head and Alpine S-Type speakers. Painted dash with an original speedometer, period steering wheel and seat-belts give it the vintage feel to match some modern amenities. Mileage reads 7924 (TMU).

Wilwood brakes are found on the front wheels. Sitting on quality 15” Eagle Alloy rims, front and rear on 195/50R/15 front tires and 195/65/15 rears. Powered by an uprated 1.8-liter VW motor, giving it plenty of authority for this lightweight truck. Seller has receipts for both the engine and gearbox rebuilds. Car shifts smoothly and goes into reverse easily. Pulls strong in first and second gear and is comfortable from 55-65 mph on the freeway.

A rare opportunity to own a limited production VW, that stands out in a crowd of buses. 

With great visibility, out of town reliability and plenty of gear space, this exclusively offered Volkswagen is ready for a new caretaker.