1970 Volkswagen Baja Beetle Truck

Description

Just when you think you've seen it all, something like this cool 1970 Volkswagen Baja Beetle pickup shows up. The wonderful, versatile, affordable Beetle can be many things, and someone found a way to make a cool little trucklet with a considerable amount of performance in the bed. Pretty neat, right?

Bright yellow is really the only choice for something as high-visibility as this; you may as well get used to answering questions about it every time you stop for gas. Everyone loves the look, and it's unquestionably the friendly little Beetle up front, so at least you'll be spared that particular question. The body was neatly sectioned behind the doors and the modification is so clean and neatly done that most folks could be convinced that it came this way from the factory. The curve of the roof is mirrored by the curve of the rear window, and the moldings wrap around the back of the cab as if to suggest the factory intended it to be this way all along. The bed is typical 1940s simple, with flat side panels and flowing fenders over the rear wheels, but it works. There are taillights that Model A Ford owners will recognize, but they have a suitably old-fashioned look that works here, and the simple roll pan cleans everything up in back. Up front, it has a fiberglass nose that is very much like the "Baja" Beetles designed to spring over sand dunes, and the clipped front fenders help with the look. It's easy to love this little truck.

The interior is VW simple but very nicely finished. A pair of low-back buckets are a neat fit and work better with the modified cabin than the original high-back seats would have. Full door panels, pretty plush carpets, and a fat three-spoke steering wheel civilize the Baja pretty nicely, and all the original Beetle equipment remains. That means a simple round gauge pod and painted instrument panel, and the only data it offers is speed and fuel level. The four-speed manual transmission sticks up vertically from the center of the floor and it's as vague as you remember, but it won't take long to get reacquainted with it and find the gears you need. There is no radio, but the dash is cleanly finished where one would live, and the remaining control knobs are simple and direct. Everything is brand new and feels it.

The 1600 cc dual port motor is out there in the bed for everyone to see, and it makes the Baja Bug a lot of fun to drive. There's a mild cam upgrade inside, but otherwise it's pretty stock, including the air cleaner and single carburetor feeding it. It's out there in the open, so it's clean but not all detailed (what would be the point?), but that surely helps the air cooling effect, making this one a great runner. It's got about 500 miles on it, so it's fresh and ready to go. You'll also note that the transmission, starter, rear suspension, and exhaust are out in the open, and there's a custom aluminum gas tank up top along with a brand new battery. The front suspension was just rebuilt, there are disc brakes up front, and the pans underneath are clean, if not showroom perfect. Big 15-inch alloy wheels give it an aggressive look and carry staggered blackwall tires that give it a hot rod rake.

Fast, fun, unusual, and affordable, this Baja Beetle is for the VW lover who has already done all the usual stuff and is looking for a new way to have fun with an old favorite. Call today!