Volkswagen Type II Custom, 1966
Volkswagen Type 2 T1
Volkswagen Type 2 T1•
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Chassis No.: 236022705
Auction: Monterey 2025
Auction date: August 16, 2025
Lot No.: F58
$44,000 | Sold
- Odometer: 7,273 miles
- Engine: V-8
- Transmission: Automatic
- Exterior: Black/Red
- Interior: Black
- Cadillac 509 CI V-8 engine conversion
- Automatic transaxle
- Two-tone Red and Black paint with Black interior
- The rear was widened 6 inches to fit the engine and cooling system
- Custom torsion bar front end
- Dual radiators
- Disc brakes
- Custom dual exhaust ports
- Aircraft-style dual air scoops
- Porsche 914 seats
- 21 window configuration
Its Rocketbox name suits this 1966 21-window Volkswagen Type II Custom Bus all too well. The flat-4 has been nixed in favor of a Cadillac 509 CI V-8 with an automatic transmission. To accommodate the massive mill, the rear end was widened 6 inches, allowing additional space not only for the engine and transmission but also for the cooling system, which comprises two radiators. The body has been fitted with aircraft-style air scoops, and disc brakes have been installed.
The black interior is highlighted with red detailing and features Porsche 914 seats, custom white-faced VDO gauges, a Sony stereo, a woodgrain steering wheel, a custom heater and defroster system, and it visually plays well off the two-tone black and red exterior. Adorned with all the brightwork expected, including front and rear bumper guards, the VW rolls on chrome DUB wheels. It’s no secret that Volkswagen Buses are slow. In fact, even later VW “Buses,” the Vanagon and Eurovan, were not exactly speed demons, unless it’s a VR6-equipped Eurovan. But even then, the big, technical engine really made the Eurovan capable of keeping up with modern traffic.
In the long run, there was nothing wrong with any of them being slow. It was part of the personality and the culture. But in the quest for speed, many people swapped in engines and transmissions from Porsche 911s and even Chevrolet Corvairs. There is even at least one that’s had a Pantera engine/transmission swap, retaining something of the mid-engine placement. This 21-window Bus, though, with a full 509 CIs of power, indeed won’t be marked as slow.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1152398/1966-volkswagen-type-ii-custom/
Cost
161,590 AED
