The Beetle Pickup That Surprised Everyone

If you are a classic car enthusiast and an admirer of automotive engineering, you have certainly found yourself imagining what a pickup truck version of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle. Although the Beetle was a true symbol of strength and durability in Brazil and around the world, Volkswagen never officially produced a pickup version of its popular model. However, what seemed like an innovative idea for the time was realized by a group of British engineers, who decided to transform the Beetle into a totally unique pickup, with features that make this vehicle even more interesting.

In this article, we will explore the history of this Beetle pickup truck, which combines the robustness of the Beetle with the utility of the Kombi, creating a fascinating mix of two Volkswagen icons. Let's talk about the modifications made to the vehicle, its design, and also the market value of this rarity in the world of classic cars.

The Impact of the Fiat 147 on the Brazilian Market

The history of Volkswagen Beetle in Brazil is rich and full of remarkable moments. In the early 1970s, the Beetle dominated Brazilian streets, being one of the best-selling cars and admired for its resistance and simplicity. However, the arrival of the Fiat 147 in 1976 brought a new reality to the national market. The Fiat 147 was a bold bet by Fiat to compete with the Beetle, offering a compact and more modern model, with more efficient mechanics and a design that pleased consumers at the time.

Although the 147 failed to surpass the Beetle in popularity, it had a significant impact, especially in introducing the idea of passenger car-derived models to Brazil. Fiat 147 City was one of the innovations that emerged from this line of thinking, being the first Brazilian pickup truck derived from a passenger car. The idea of transforming popular cars into pickup trucks was not new in other markets, but in Brazil, it was something new.

The Beetle, with its reputation for robustness and the ability to travel over difficult terrain, seemed to be an ideal platform for the creation of a pickup version. However, Volkswagen never made an official pickup based on the Beetle. The brand's only pickup truck in Brazil was derived from the Kombi, which had already been transformed into a pickup truck by the manufacturer. And that's where the creativity of some British engineers comes in, who decided to do what Volkswagen never did.

The Emergence of the Beetle Pickup

The idea of creating a Beetle pickup truck was conceived by a group of British engineers who were looking to do something unique with the legendary model. They took the beetle and radically modified it, creating a pickup truck that could easily be mistaken for a creation of the Volkswagen factory itself, if it weren't for the boldness of its modifications. The resulting vehicle was a true masterpiece of adapted engineering, combining the cabin of the Beetle with the bed of the Kombi, creating a vehicle that would certainly attract the attention of any classic car lover.

The modification started with the Beetle cabin, which was cut off just after the front door. The bed of a Kombi pickup truck was adapted to the Beetle chassis, creating a unique proportion and a peculiar style. However, what really makes this pickup interesting is the way in which the modifications were made to look natural. The Kombi bed, which was wider than the Beetle's cabin, ended up giving the car an even more distinctive look.

But the modifications weren't just at the rear. The Beetle roof was demoted at the front, which left the windshield shorter and gave the car a style inspired by the Modified Volkswagen in California, known for their radical changes and unique style. To complete the look, a parasol was added, giving an even more cool to design.

The Interior: Style and Functionality

The interior of the Beetle pickup truck has also undergone a series of modifications, which not only improved comfort but also gave the car a sportier and more personalized look. The steering wheel was replaced by a Mountney steering wheel, with a wooden rim, which not only offered a smoother driving sensation, but also gave a touch of sophistication to the interior. In addition, the shell benches, used in the famous Porsche 356 racing, were installed to ensure greater comfort and a sportier, more athletic look.

The engine was also changed to something more powerful. The Beetle pickup received the engine 1600 of Type 3, also known as the Coffin Joe in Brazil. This engine received two Weber ICT 34 carburetors, increasing power and providing more robust performance, ideal for a vehicle that aimed to combine resistance of the Beetle with the load capacity of a pickup truck. The front suspension was replaced by the McPherson from the Beetle 1302, which was similar to the suspension used by Brazilian Variant II, offering better performance in terms of drivability and comfort.

The Market Value of the Beetle Pickup

As expected, such a unique and personalized vehicle ended up becoming a true object of desire for classic car collectors. The Beetle pickup truck was put up for sale on the auction site Collecting Cars, where it attracted the attention of buyers willing to pay a good price for this rarity.

At auction, the final price was £12k, which is equivalent to R$ 89.935 with the quote at the time of writing this article. While this value is not extremely high for a classic car, it reflects the exclusivity of the Beetle pickup and the growing interest in well-done and creative automotive modifications. This value could certainly increase further as the rarity of the model and the historical value of the modification become more recognized.

The Influence of the Beetle Pickup on the World of Classic Cars

The history of Beetle pickup truck It's not just a lesson in creative engineering, but also an example of how a passion for classic cars can result in unique and fascinating creations. Although Volkswagen never officially launched a pickup truck based on the Beetle, the modification carried out by British engineers offers an insight into what could have been one of the brand's greatest innovations in Brazil.

This Beetle pickup truck is undoubtedly a tribute to the Beetle’s legacy and its ability to adapt to different configurations and styles. By combining the robustness of the Beetle with the practicality of the pickup, these British engineers have created something truly unique, which will attract the attention of not only collectors, but also car enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates the value of well-done modifications.

Conclusion: The Beetle Pickup Truck That Volkswagen Never Made

Although the Volkswagen never launched a pickup version of its famous Beetle, ingenuity of some car enthusiasts were able to create a masterpiece that unites the history and the creativity. The Beetle pickup, with its bold modifications and unique design, represents a part of what could have been a new line of Volkswagen vehicles, but which never came to fruition.

The Beetle, with all its robustness, continues to be a symbol of resistance and innovation, even decades after its launch. And although the Volkswagen never made a Beetle pickup, this modification made by British enthusiasts is undoubtedly one of the most interesting It is unique stories from the world of classic cars, showing that the passion by vehicles can lead to surprising results.

So if you ever get the chance to see one up close or even drive one, Beetle pickup truck, know that you will be witnessing a part of the history of cars, something that Volkswagen, in fact, never did, but that was done with a lot of love and creativity by those who never let the spirit of the Beetle die.