This Beetle-Based Truck in Denver Has Captured My Attention, Forcefully
By Jason Torchinsky
I’m very fortunate to be friends with Emily Velasco, a reliable source for interesting vehicles spotted in the wild. Today, she sent me a picture of a peculiar truck she received from a friend in Denver. This information, therefore, comes to you fourthhand!
This truck stands out because it is built upon the foundation of an older, air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle. While I’ve encountered Beetle-based pickup trucks before, this one is particularly fascinating. Let me elaborate.
Typically, Beetle-based pickup trucks prioritize aesthetics and recreational use. While some early examples were built for actual work, Volkswagen developed the Type 2, which adapted the basic rear-engined Beetle formula into a legitimate work vehicle.
However, let’s examine a side view of the Denver truck:
That truck bed is notably larger than those usually seen. Initially, I considered the possibility of a Beetle body grafted onto a standard pickup frame, but then I observed the distinct rear suspension of the VW with the transverse torsion bar tube. It does appear to be built upon a Beetle chassis, though significantly lengthened, I suspect?
I even think I can see some of the engine behind the rear wheel. Is that a silvery tube, perhaps wrapped in foil? I’m unsure.
From the side view, the doors appear unmodified, but the body behind them has been truncated, with the area where the rear side windows would have started also filled in. The front presents more unusual features. The front fenders have had their headlight buckets removed, and the headlights are now mounted high on the fender, not fully integrated into the bodywork. The rest of the front bodywork looks surprisingly stock.
It’s hard to determine the exact year of the Beetle’s origin; my best guess, based on the bodywork visible, is a ’73 standard (non-Super) Beetle. It is hard to tell for sure.
I’m hoping some of our Autopians in the Denver area might recognize this hardworking Beetle-based truck, as I’d love to know more about it. Was the chassis extended? What engine is in there? It appears to be used as a work truck—is it?
