VW-Type2 T1 Single Cabin Drop Gate Pickup

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The shabby looks that you'll want to keep it like this are so cool...! An extremely rare car that is rarely seen on the market, the 1962 VW Type-2 T1 single-cabin dropgate pickup with a small rear window has a super stylish and funny look that will put a smile on everyone's face...!

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"There's no way anyone wouldn't smile when they see this amazing pickup truck...!"

The original VW Type-2 T1...

When you see it in front of you, it's more compact than you'd imagine, but the dimensions are filled with a funny taste that will make you smile!

If the rear cabin of this already attractive original VW Type-2 was neatly cut off and it was turned into a pickup truck... it could be used for surfing... camping... or carrying heaps of important goods... this dreamlike marriage would give the driver endless "imaginations of how to use it," and its truly one-of-a-kind presence would radiate a wonderful aura around it, bringing big smiles to the faces of all who see it!

Two years after the birth of the T1 in 1950, the T1 pickup was built more than half a century ago, between 1952 and 1967.

The Type-2 T1, which was created as the world's first ideal transporter for people at the time, progressed from its ideal qualities as a commercial vehicle to its development as a pickup, and the rear cabin was improved to a spacious truck bed, creating this style. However, the changes in people's values ​​over the next half century have been truly dynamic. The pickup, which was originally meant to carry luggage, has matured into a fascinating classic car, and has now been sublimated into a vehicle that carries "people's dreams"!

The day of the interview was a very hot day in early August, with the sun shining brilliantly.

The 1962 three-seater single cabin, with a precious small rear window, was completely repainted, including the interior, in the original blue color several years before the owner purchased it. The serial number is 960455, and it is a car made in August 1965. The rust that expresses the passage of time as "flavor = patina" has just started to appear in some places.

It would be a shame to think of this as just corrosion rust! If you apply linseed oil (※) to stop the progression of the rust and think of it as an aesthetic sense of "rust = sabi...", you will realize the true nature of the passage of time that is inherent in all things that exist in the world, and you will be able to enjoy it as a "deep flavor".

(※) The author, an antique furniture collector, also uses it...! How to use linseed oil.

"Linseed oil is a drying oil that is often used to polish antique furniture. It penetrates the surface it is sprayed on and when it dries, it leaves a non-sticky, transparent film... It is also great for polishing iron products such as antique iron kettles, penetrating rust and completely stopping its progression... If you apply this effect to the worn original paint or rusted surfaces of classic cars... it becomes an all-purpose oil that protects the painted surface and creates a wonderful atmosphere while retaining its deep flavor... Please give it a try!"

The moment that this '62 Type-2 Drop Gate Pickup, perfectly suited to this atmosphere, appeared at the interview location, its lively flat-four sound blaring from its dual mufflers...!

Even in the scorching heat of the day, the bright rays of the sun reflected off the pop blue body of the car, transforming it into a positive image that suits the summer colors perfectly...! It exuded a very happy aura...!

The T1 Dropgate Pickup is not a car that you can find by searching for it.

There are many T1 buses in North America, where they were exported in large numbers at the time, and many have been imported to Japan, but the Dropgate Pickups, of which there are thought to be only a few in Japan today, were mostly imported later from Europe. It is a surprising fact, but due to a twist of history, there were almost no Dropgate Pickups in North America.

This historical fact broke out in the early 1960s...

As with the Type-2 T1 bus, Volkswagen had been accelerating its production with an eye on mass export of pickups to North America, but the Type-2 pickups could hardly be exported to North America due to a historical event called the "Chicken Tariff War".

In retaliation for France and West Germany imposing high tariffs on U.S. chicken imports, then-President Lyndon Johnson imposed a 25% tariff, 10 times the normal tariff, on potatoes, starch, dextrin, brandy, and commercial trucks imported from Europe in January 1964, two months after taking office.

This historical fact, called the "Chicken Tariff War", had nothing to do with the Type-2 bus, which was registered as a passenger car, but it directly restricted the export of the Type-2 pickup, which was registered as a commercial truck, to North America, and the Type-2 pickup essentially disappeared from the U.S. market.

Due to this historical mischief, there are almost no drop gate pickups in North America.

The number of them is also overwhelmingly smaller than that of the Type-2 bus. Therefore, now that it has matured as a classic car, its value as an existence has changed drastically to become a rare model that is hardly available on the market.

The characteristic of the Type-2 drop gate pickup is that you just have to wait to encounter it.

 

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Starting with the birth of the T1 in 1950 and continuing through to the current T7... the original Transporter has continued uninterrupted for over 70 years... What is the untold story behind the birth of the VW Type-2...?

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This is an excellent product whose concept has been passed down from the T1 introduced in 1950 to the current T7...

The "original transporter" manufactured by Volkswagen for over 70 years has been transporting all kinds of people and materials around the world since its birth, and today, its value as an attractive classic car has changed, and the early model has been completely sublimated into a one-of-a-kind transporter that also transports the "dreams" of enthusiasts around the world...

As is well known, the automobile industry was a major factor in Germany's economic recovery after the defeat in World War II, and Volkswagen mass-produced the Type 1 Beetle at its Wolfsburg plant...

At the time, in order to increase production efficiency within the Wolfsburg plant, parts were moved using an improvised "powered flatbed" that used the chassis and engine of the Type 1 Beetle, but when the late Ben Pon, a Dutch Volkswagen sales dealer, visited this production plant on April 23, 1947, he came up with the idea of ​​attaching a box-shaped body to this powered flatbed to create a transporter that could carry cargo, and he made a rough sketch on the spot and proposed the idea to Volkswagen...

Amazingly, this famous rough sketch, which is still preserved, is the very image of the Type-2 that was created later! (Reference image)

https://ja.escuderia.com/the-doodle-that-became-famous-Volkswagen-t1/

Based on this great idea, Volkswagen immediately developed a prototype, and three years later, in 1950, they began production of the Type-2 Transporter.

The early Type-2, which used the engine, transmission, and other parts of the Type-1 Beetle, had a wheelbase of 2400 mm, almost the same as the Type-1, and was the only one to have a chassis with a reinforced frame for cargo transportation, making it a very sturdy transporter with a load capacity of 700 kg.

Imagine that at the time, when there was no such thing as a transporter.

Before the birth of the first Type-2, there were no manufacturers that produced cars with such high load space efficiency and versatility, so this box-shaped design, which was a very innovative idea, was welcomed as a revolution in the market, and soon after, this major innovation, which had Volkswagen's technology and quality and was sold at a very reasonable price, became a huge hit not only in Germany but throughout Europe in an instant!

The box-shaped body and round headlights are the same as the Type 1...

The charming front face and the unique rounded style create an image that is truly "Love & Piece" itself...!

It then became an icon of hippie culture in the US in the 1970s... and evolved further into an icon of the Cal look culture on the US West Coast after 2000... With today's evolved motorization, the design is full of freedom that would never be seen again due to safety constraints, and its one-of-a-kind, adorable looks have captured the souls of enthusiasts all over the world, making it a special presence that will never let go again...

 

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"The shabby patina is super cool!" A rare car in the collection of a true veteran enthusiast owner... Here are the details of the '62 VW-Type2 T1 Dropgate Pickup...

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A few days have passed since the interview, and while editing the video, the author repeatedly reminisces, "What a nice car... I bet it would be great if I polished it with linseed oil..."

This time, we will be sharing the charms of a "1962 VW-Type2 T1 Dropgate Pickup with an irresistible shabby charm" owned by a certain veteran owner!

As mentioned at the beginning, this is a very rare car, and you can even check the matching of the chassis number and engine number...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/chassisdating.php

The 1962 Type-2 T1 Dropgate Pickup we are introducing this time was also the first car registered in Japan in 2000. Details are unknown, but it is believed to have been imported privately from Europe at the time.

The owner is a veteran who is well versed in classic cars from all over the world, past and present, from Japanese vintage cars to vintage Ferraris.

He came across this car by chance about five and a half years ago, and fell in love at first sight with the adorable looks and unique atmosphere that are unique to this rare dropgate pickup, as well as the dropgate pickup with the rare small rear window (※) that was only available until August 1965, and decided to keep it.

(※) The rare small rear window, which is also popular in Europe, will be available until August 1965!

"There is a website by Wade Lloyd that has put together a wonderful collection of information about the Dropgate Pickup, including details on the model change. Please take a look for reference."

https://www.dropgates.com/

Be sure to check it out along with the video...

On the day of the interview, the owner drove slowly out to the sunny shooting location, revving up the lively flat-4 sound, and its shabby appearance was truly adorable, and its serial number "960455" indicates that it has been over 60 years since its production in mid-1962. Its outstanding looks did not suggest this at all, and it is a car that exudes charm and functional beauty as the original transporter all around...!

During the interview, we used a paint thickness gauge to check, and it appears that the body was completely repainted several years ago, with only the inside of the engine bay remaining as the original paint, and was then repainted in the same original color...

Several years have passed since that repaint, and due to the owner's preference for maintaining a good atmosphere over a shiny car, there is some rust in several places on the body (from the back of the front bumper to the area around the sidegate hinges to the floor of the luggage compartment that opens to the left and right under the bed), which adds to the shabby look of the car...

It's basically an original car, but the carburetor has been changed to a newer Weber Downdraft, and the muffler has been changed to a dual type unique to Volkswagen... Also, for vehicle inspection purposes, the mileage meter has been handwritten in kilometers, but this can be removed by polishing... There are also handwritten markings on masking tape on each switch, but this is for vehicle inspection purposes, and of course it can be easily removed...

The original seats were reupholstered a few years ago, but are still in good condition, and the unique steering feel of holding the steering wheel in a truck-like position makes this a really fun car!

Of course, this is a transporter from an era when there was no power steering.

However, the steering feel provided by the slender, large-diameter steering wheel with its unique linkage and the light body is just the right weight, which you can tell when you ride in it, and is really comfortable!

With the steering mechanism located on the overhang, you are in a strange driving position where you are half-bent, just like in a truck, and there is a unique charm to steering by holding the large steering wheel that is positioned almost horizontally. The light maneuverability provided by this steering wheel with just the right weight has a wonderful charm that instantly captivates anyone who rides in it, saying, "Wow, this is great!"

The 4-speed shifter towers over the floor, and the owner had a screwdriver inserted into the knob. It felt unique and there was no problem with the feel of the operation.

There is also a wooden liner in the truck bed that appears to be original, but it is occasionally polished with oil. There was no damage.

During the interview, we took pictures of the underside of the body and looked carefully, but there was no rust or corrosion under the floor, and no general problems with functionality...

Also, although a German person might say "That's proof there's oil in it..." (lol), there is of course a little oil seepage, which is a standard feature of flat-four engines...

I got in and started the engine right away!

The 1.2L engine woke up instantly even from a cold start, and even though it had an old distributor, the ignition timing seemed to be perfect. Thanks to the brand new Weber, it seemed to be idling with a good sound.

The Type-2 pickup was developed by reusing parts from the VW Type-1 Beetle, and in fact has the same 2400mm wheelbase as the Beetle. It's hard to imagine from the dimensionally packed design, but it's strange that it's almost the same size as the Type-1 Beetle.

And... whenever I drive an air-cooled flat-four, I always remember... It was amazing to see the ride quality of those good old days brought back to life in the modern era...!

Of course, it can't compare to modern cars, but the ride quality is very comfortable...

The torsion springs create a gentle bounce, and the ride quality of the three-seater single cabin with its thick seats is surprisingly good...

The fun of loading your favorite things in the bed and going out with friends is something that completely surpasses the realm of commercial trucks of the time...!

Even though it's in good condition now, it's already been over 60 years since it was produced...

I'm sure there will be some parts to work on while riding it, but this Type-2 T1 Drop Gate Pickup will continue to elevate its appeal as a vehicle that expresses the owner's personality and outlook on life as it is ridden for many years...

The reason why it will continue to be "enjoyable" is that the Type-2 itself has a very simple structure...

A major reason is that parts are very abundant and inexpensive, from a single screw to a body panel, not only in Germany, where it originates, but also all over Europe, where there are many enthusiastic enthusiasts...

There is no doubt that here is an "endless dream" where the fun of garage life as a Sunday mechanic will expand infinitely...

European specialty store “Heritage Parts Center”

https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/eu/volkswagen/type-2-bay.html

"KlassicFab" is a European specialty store that stocks all new body panels

https://www.klassicfab.com/

Domestic specialty parts shop "Flower Parts"

https://www.i-love-wagen.net

 

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Post-notes from the interview with the 1962 VW-Type2 T1 Dropgate Pick-up...

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I have experience of owning a 1964 VW Type 1 Beetle for many years in the US, and as long as there was engine oil in it...even in the coldest of winter...or under the blazing heat of midsummer...that dry sound of the air-cooled flat-four engine would never die out, as long as the human body could endure it, and as long as I let my intellectual curiosity take me and put the power to my right foot, that tough companion was a completely trustworthy companion that would take me anywhere, and that memory remains firmly in the back of my mind even now...

That's why this one-of-a-kind Drop Gate Pickup was a car that would greatly expand my dreams. I couldn't help but smile when I saw the carburetor revving up when I stepped on the accelerator, and the way it instantly woke up when I turned the key, producing a lively, smooth, and perfectly irregular flat-four sound. It was a wonderful interview that once again stimulated my senses, making me think, "This is a car that carries my dreams and takes me anywhere."

"Its shabby look is so cool that you'd want to let it grow as is! An extremely rare car that is rarely seen on the market, this 1962 VW Type-2 T1 single-cabin drop-gate pickup with a small rear window has a very stylish and funny look that will put a smile on anyone's face!"

Even now, several days after the interview, I get excited thinking about this truly wonderful car...

I believe that if you share your life with such a wonderful car, your lifestyle will surely become brighter and more enjoyable...

Please come to Saitama Prefecture to see the wonderful live-action film that will make you smile.

 

This very nice "1962 VW-Type2 T1 Single Cabin Pickup" is currently located in Saitama Prefecture.

 

Since this is a private sale, there is no consumption tax or other fees.

As the vehicle inspection has expired, there is no monthly automobile tax payment upon purchase. The purchaser is responsible for the recycling deposit (11,700 yen) at the time of purchase. In addition, the purchaser is responsible for arranging land transportation, etc., but the author's corporate business also provides classic car transportation services using our own loading vehicles. Please feel free to contact us if you have any requests.

 

[When making an inquiry...]

The vehicles on this page are listed on the car private sales information site "Ensu no Mori."

Ensu no Mori is not a car dealership, but an advertising agency, and the vehicles listed are privately owned, and those that have been interviewed at the request of the owners are listed as FOR SALE.

 

We conduct detailed interviews with the current owner, including past maintenance records and repair history, and interview them about whether or not there has been any accidents. If there has been a major accident history, or if the current owner has only had the car for a short time and the details are unknown, we will decline to interview them, and we are making efforts to provide as much peace of mind as possible to our customers.

 

The contents of this article were written and created based on the vehicle's appearance over the course of approximately three hours of interview time, starting at 1:00 pm on August 4, 2024, under clear skies, with the vehicle running under temporary license plates. Due to the limited time available for inspection, the condition of the vehicle may not be described 100% accurately, and the contents of the article have not been verified. Please be aware that comments on the condition, etc. are solely based on the weather and circumstances at the time of the interview, and the author's subjective opinion.

 

If you have any questions about the vehicles listed or would like to inspect the vehicle, please contact us at the bottom of this page. Since this is a transaction between individuals, in order to prevent people from looking around, inspections of the vehicle will only be available to customers who are considering purchasing the vehicle.

 

We would appreciate your consideration.