Vintage Volkswagen Articles

VW Beetle Pickups

09 October 2024
From very early in the history of the Beetle there were plans for a pickup version of the vehicle, designated the type 81.

VW Type ListClearly the VW Beetle engine is in the wrong end for a good pickup or van, Volkswagen somewhat addressed that with the pancake engine used in the Type 3 in the 1960's - but until then the upright fan made for a pickup or van bed that is really too high for practical use. Maybe that's the reason that not many were made and the design never really took off as a commercial success. 

 

After the 2nd World War when the British were in charge of the VW factory, both Beetle and Kübelwagen's were converted to vans with a large box on the back for the newly restarted german postal service. This was a partership that lasted many years, with the Beetle being dropped in favour of the 'Fridolin' which was specifically made for the job. None of the Type 28 box back Beetles are currently known to exist, but there are a couple of the Kübelwagen versions that have survived. 

Once VW had abandoned the idea of a Beetle van or pickup, there were a few coachbuilding companies that decided they could build conversions for the limited market. One such company was the Swiss based company Beutler, who made pickups and some van conversions before moving into VW and Porsche based sports cars. Only about 10 of these pickups were ever made:

There have also been numerous one off conversions made, what better way for a VW dealer to demonstrate belief in their own products than to use Beetles as their work vans.

And this great pickup from Highland Motors in South Carolina USA who built it from a damaged Beetle for use as a local parts hauler.

If you happen to find any cool Beetle pickups on your travels, please post them on the VW Vans & Pickups Facebook Group


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