Full Custom 1965 VW Bug Volksrod Pickup Show Car Volkswagen Ships Worldwide

This car is a radical 1965 Volksrod Pick-up full custom.   It was built by long time custom VW builder. Frank Bryan.   Many of Frank's creations are multi-show winning and magazine featured custom VW's. including this one.   This car was featured in Dune Buggies and Hot VWs Magazine; November 2008.   It's also been in various American Graffiti parades and local Modesto California area VW publications.

The car is now privately owned.   It has a clear California title and current California registration (expires Sept. 2013). Includes both license plates.   The VIN number is 115160382.   The odometer currently reads 1. 33 miles since construction. however the car will be driven in a parade before the end of this auction.   The odometer reading will show that variation.   A thick file of the builders. notes. receipts and accounting will accompany the car to the new owner.

Engine & Trans:

·        The engine is a fresh 1600cc dual port which is basically stock.   It does have solid rocker shafts. Pertronix electronic ignition. cast aluminum valve covers. a Bosch blue coil and several 'dress up' items.   The exhaust was custom fabricated using Bugpack mufflers with chrome tips. The engine was built by Jansen Enterprises in Belmont. CA.

·        A 1970 Type 2 IRS trans was prepared by Mark's Transaxles in Modesto. CA.   The 5. 37:1 ring and pinion ratio was chosen for the 225/70R15 rear tires. mounted on 8"x15" Dragstar wheels. The front brakes are a Wilwood disk brake kit and stock drum brakes do the job in the rear.

Suspension Modifications:

Bruce Simurda. writer for Hot VWs magazine summarizes the front end modifications nicely.  

"Wanting a "hot rod" look. he [Frank] started on the suspension with a partial 5-inch dropped Ford axle kit from Speedway Motors. which included Ford spindles located by radius rods.   A transverse spring was used with three of the seven leafs removed. and new shackles fabricated.   New batwing brackets. which mount the radius rods to the axle. also had to be altered to match the angle of the rake.   Frank also fabricated the front cross-member. which mounts the axle assembly to the pan. built the center perch for the spring. and built shock brackets.   Quite a bit more work was done to the front end. like adding headlight mounts and bumper before the assembly was powder coated. " 

Bruce continues with the description of the rear suspension modifications.

"The rear suspension also received considerable attention.   Starting with converting it from a swing axle to an IRS setup.   Next. the lover spring plates were shimmed 1/4" to provide a lower ride height. and the stock torsion bars replaced with 26mm units from Moore Parts Source.   The upper shock towers were trimmed to provide a mounting bar for the new pickup bed. and new upper shock towers fabricated from steel tubing.   By the way. the lower shock mounts were also trimmed and new mounts welded in place. "   

Body and Pan Modifications:

The pan was shortened 14 1/2" by removing rear floor area. The seat rails were removed to provide a clean slate for the custom interior.  Pan stiffeners were fabricated using 1 1/4" steel tubing. The pan was modified to allow retaining the original location of the battery. which is now accessed from under the bed.   New fuel lines. brake lines and wiring were routed through the tunnel.   Once the entire pan was complete. it was sandblasted. masked and coated in medium gray bedliner material for rust proofing and durability.   Uncoated (bedliner material) areas are painted to match the powder coated areas.  

The entire body of the car is constructed of steel. there is no fiberglass what so ever.   The front clip was heavily altered to provide clearance for the front suspension and to provide the "volksrod" look.   The fender wells were capped with bead rolled 18 gauge sheet steel.   Much of the body steel work was done using a "Bucking Process".   Wooden forms were created and then sheet metal was peened to conform to the radius of each of the many required wooden forms.   A frame for the bed was made with 1/2" steel tubing and the bed body was made from 18 gauge steel. again using the "bucking process" described earlier to form radiuses where necessary.   The interior bed panels are constructed from 5052 aluminum and a 10 gallon spun aluminum gas tank fitter to the front of the bed.   The bed sits 3" above the cylinder heads to provide ample airflow for cooling. Bed rails. bumpers and a "chopped" windshield frame were fabricated and powder coated to match the powder coated suspension components.  Mirror mounts are incorporated high on the windshield frame.   (Note: The right hand mirror is missing in all the photos. the mirror has now been replaced. )  Once final body work was complete the car was sprayed with Delron GMC Flame Yellow paint and a clear coat.

Interior:

The concept for the interior was to keep it simple.   It features a one piece bench seat fabricated out of aluminum and conformed to shape.   The seat frame was then covered in medium grey auto carpet.   Seat pads were made with medium grey and yellow vinyl to snap in place on the seat frame.   Door and interior trim panels were upholstered to match.   The interior is finished with a smoothed dash with VDO gauges (electronic speedo. oil pressure. and voltage).   Warning lights. rocker switches and ignition switch are also convenient on the dash.   The music is provided by an AM/FM-CD-MP3 player with small speakers next to the seats.

The frame for the carson top is fabricated with bent steel tubing and powder coated black before being upholstered in black cloth. The top is removable with a little effort.   It is mounted to the body by six bolts. two of which are behind interior trim panels.  

Condition:

Please zoom in on photos to see the exact condition of the vehicle.   A number of additional photos. including scans of the Hot VW's article are viewable on Photobucket.   Click Here to view them.   Please feel free to email us with any questions you may have.   You are also welcome to call Ward at Import Automotive Repair during regular business hours at (209) 526-6408 with any questions.   The car is available for inspection and is for sale locally. therefore this listing may end early in the event of a sale.

Payment:

·         A $500. 00 non-refundable deposit sent from PayPal is required within 48 hours of the end of the auction.

·         The balance is due within ten days from end of auction.   Secured payment must be made in cash or by bank wire transfer.   Please contact us for consideration of alternative payment requests.

·         Unpaid transactions are void after fourteen days and the item will be relisted.

Pick Up / Shipping / Export / Delivery:

·         Local pick up of the vehicle is preferred (Modesto. California. 95350. USA).   However. span >  we are willing to ship or possibly deliver the vehicle as well.  

·         The winning bidder is responsible for arranging. contracting and paying for all shipping costs if shipping is desired.

·         Vehicle is required off our premises within 21 days of close of auction.   We have limited space and therefore must charge a $30. 00 per day storage fee if the vehicle remains with us after the 21 days free storage we are offering.

·         We do have experience selling exotic vehicles worldwide and are fully willing to work with you and your broker. contractor or exporter at our end.

·         International buyers are responsible for all import /export fees. broker fees. customs fees. taxes. tariffs. duties  or other incidental costs.

·         We are willing to consider delivering the vehicle on an open trailer within a limited distance for a fee.   Please contact us if you would like to discuss this option.  

Feedback:

·         We issue positive feedback once I receive cleared payment

·         Please leave me positive feedback once you receive your item.

·         If you are unsatisfied for any reason. please contact me prior to leaving feedback.   We will do our best to satisfy any of your concerns.

Also published at eBay.com

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