1963 Volkswagen Double Cab

Crew Cab Other

4 - Cyl.

Manual

1121642

Gasoline

50 year old man selling beloved double cab. I was a former VW mechanic and wanted a DC for years. Ten years ago, I found this one and knew it was "the one". I expected to have it until I died, but circumstances require that I sell it. This is not a show car. It is a wonderful driver and can easily be a daily driver. I'd drive it to Florida tomorrow with zero concerns. It should be driven for 5-10 more years and not restored yet, as it's too nice. (just my opinion) Eventually, it will make a great restoration but to do that now would be a shame. It gets massive looks everywhere and all who admire it love that it's "perfectly imperfect". Just the right wear to give it character and soul. To the best of my ability, I will list the details. Body - The Good: Superb floors and under carriage. (see photos) Outstanding. One small dent in right rear corner of roof. Approx 1"X1.5". Rest of body is straight. The Bad: - Rain gutters have a little rust, gates have some rust - all absolutely fixable. They've been this way since I've owned it and have not changed much in 10 years. Someone removed the panel/bulkhead between the front and rear seats. They did a nice job, but I like stock, so I sourced a bulkhead from another '63 double cab and that comes with it for the day it might be restored. Someone cut a section of the bed out to apparently install a new fuel tank. I sourced the exact piece from a donor DC and cut it to fit. That said, all sheet metal required for a restoration some day is present and comes with. From 15 feet away, the body looks wonderful. Paint was "old" when I bought it 10 years ago. I just wax it now and then and that's all I've done in 10 years. If it weren't for whomever cut the bulkhead out and the bed portion, I'd give the overall body a 9 out of 10. But both of those are fixable when it someday gets restored and the hard part is sourcing the factory metal and I've done that. Bed is not dented up and has plywood on top. This is bad if the bus gets wet (traps moisture) but this bus never gets wet. Mechanical - All Good / no Bad. 1500cc engine starts in half a second, cold or hot. Idles cold or hot and choke works perfectly. No flat spots or hiccups throughout RPM range. Smooth. Transmission shifts exactly as it did in 1963. No noises, no issues whatsoever and I'd term shifting "perfect". Brakes did not work well when I purchased the DC, but being a former VW mechanic, I fixed them properly and they have worked great for years now. Steering is tight, no wondering, even on the freeway. This bus drives better than any I've ever driven. No rattles, no noises, nothing loose, absolutely zero issues. It is simply a solid, tight bus. I bought it upon first sight and did not drive it first. When I did drive it, I was VERY happy, as I've never driven a bus that drives so nice. I honestly don't really know why it drives so nicely, but it does. It's a wonderful ride. Misc. - I am a purist for OEM, stock VWs. I hate all aftermarket anything. Prior owner installed dark gray carpet and while I vowed to remove it immediately, it grew on me. It's sort of factory looking and it makes the interior quiet and nice. Stock rubber mats are under the carpet in front and in the rear, the carpet lifts out in one piece as it's glued to plywood. Stock rear DC rubber mat comes with. All windows open and close/latch, all doors lock, all electric works. 5 matching new radials on stock rims with old large emblem caps. Metal "D" from Germany on deck lid. Summary - While this DC could be restored into something magnificent, to do so now would be a huge waste in my opinion. Most of these are either perfect (restored) or huge projects. Having one in stock original shape with great patina is more and more rare. VW enthusiasts who stop me ALL say it should not be restored, as its great as is. This is a very nice driver and I would not hesitate for one second driving it anywhere, and I mean anywhere - Florida or Panama. It would make it and my guess is that once there, it would run exactly like it does now. It's one of those. Other than oil changes every 3K miles and valve adjustments, I don't expect it to need anything for a long time. Its ready to go and seems to run best when I drive it a lot. Speedo is spot on (gps verified) and it's preferred cruising speed is 63, just like the year. It will do 65 just fine, but it hates 66. These double cabs are money in the bank. This vehicle will never lose value and at the rate they are increasing, it very may be worth double in just a few years. I wish I could keep it. I'm very much in tune with the value of these and this is priced fairly for what it is, the condition it's in, the fact it can't really be replaced and where the market has been. It is undervalued for the future market, but that will be someone else's gain. There aren't many things in life guaranteed to increase in value, but this is one of them. It will never be worth less than it is today, and that's pretty special, especially when you can enjoy it along the way. I have original German canvas tilt, bows and slats but they DO NOT come with the vehicle. I will make available to winning bidder for $700 if they want it and please do not ask me to sell it separately. If the winning bidder declines, I will list it separately. I did this to keep the price down in the event the new owner does not want the tilt. "Buy it now" price includes roof rack. Thank you and please do not waste my time if you are not serious. I am a busy man and selling this is hard enough. You understand. I have many other photos if needed. Please note: I reserve the right to end the auction early for local sale. $1000 deposit due from winning bidder within 24 hours of auction ending. Balance due within 72 hours. I will assist with shipping coordination/drop off for any international buyers. Closest port of entry/exit is Port of Long Beach, CA.