Brubaker Box VW Sports Van one of less than 10 on the road today.

1971 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

The Brubaker Box, designed in the early 1970's was one of the most groundbreaking concepts and innovative designs to hit the automotive world in its day. Its release was featured and promoted in magazines around the world. From the cover of Car and Driver in 1972 to other features in truck and van publications as well as Hot VWs and other titles. Despite its incredible presence in the media (and use in films such as Soylent Green and the ARKII TV Series), the Brubaker was plagued with financing and production issues from day one. With just three completed cars under the Brubaker Company name and just 25 bodies produced by Automecca, the dream fizzled out in the late 1970's. Today it is estimated that less than 10 Brubaker Boxes remain in drivable condition and perhaps an equal number exist in parts and project form.
This Brubaker is one of the original 25 Automecca built bodies that has been the most recent and exciting find among fans of the brand. Discovered as a bare, sun-cooked body in the high desert of California, it has undergone a full restoration over the past year and is now arguably one of the best examples in the world today. The discovery and restoration has been featured on YouTube and has been followed by thousands. Recently professionally photographed for magazine features worldwide and shown at Southern California events, the reaction to the car has been incredible.
This Brubaker has been painted in its original Jungle Green Metallic with period correct long green shag carpet and the interior done to the original design and pattern in a brown vinyl. Chrome bare-foot gas pedal, period Kraco 8 track player, period accessory wood shift knob and controls, exceedingly rare original early 70's Empi logo instrumentation and Empi sport steering wheel with padded center. This is the ONLY example known to have the optional in-dash ice chest / storage box that was offered in the original sales prospect and order form. The wheels are period correct US Indy 4 lug slot mags, cleanly polished with chrome lugs and period key locks. BF Goodrich raised white letter tires on all four corners. The textured roof and end panels are done in the correct style grain and the controversial original fiberglass "faux wood" bumpers are fitted front and rear. New Old Stock 1970's Sears and Roebuck driving lights were sourced and fitted up front. New windshield and rear window glass (AMC Hornet and El Camino respectively as original).
Mechanically this car has a brand new, not rebuilt, 1600cc dual port engine with a new AS-41 engine case, all new internals and externals. 12 volt electrics with alternator, mechanical advance distributor, single barrel carb with electric choke and mechanical fuel pump. The exhaust system is a period original header set up with two tips that exit perfectly just below the bumper. Chassis is a 1971 model with IRS rear suspension and ball joint front beam. Stock drum brakes on all four corners and the 4 speed manual transmission is used but recently serviced and fitted with new CV boots and shocks all around. It's been driven less than 100 miles since completion.
Included in the sale is a truly incredible collection of original documentation and literature from Brubaker and Automecca. Original order form and option sheets from Brubaker Industries, Copies of all the original 1970's magazine features from Car and Driver, Hot VW's, Volkswagen Greats, and many many more. A copy of later articles in Auto Week Magazine as well as a copy of a recent book on the 26 most influential outsider automotive designs that includes the Brubaker Box will come with the car. A complete package of car and history suitable for museum display or addition to your collection. Oh...and it is simply crazy to drive. From the single side door, to the driving position, the short shifter, the side mounted switches, sliding side windows, the view across that immense dash and out the front windows, and of course the big wrap around swanky love seat couch seating in the back...it is an experience like no other car in the world to go for a spin around the block in this.
While the Brubaker design is now over 50 years old, it remains fresh to the eyes and minds of today. Students of the famed Art Center College of Design (where its original designer was schooled) still study the Brubaker design and have published many modern takes on it. In public the car creates incredible reactions from people of ALL ages and walks of life. The original concept and marketing promoted it as a car for all people, and that has proven true now 50 years later despite its relative failure when first produced. The cult following behind it is far greater than I imagined. There are even articles and petitions online begging Hot Wheels to make a toy of the car...which seems an obvious match looking at it...it really is a life sized toy car.
This is truly a rare opportunity. I don't believe a restored and complete Brubaker has come up for public auction anywhere in the past 20 years (or more). Since its discovery in un-restored state and throughout the restoration I have been approached with countless offers to buy, but with only one car to sell, I figured the best was to do it is to just put it up for bids and let the winner take all. Where will it end up? What will it bring... place a bid and let's find out!
Note: The personalized California "BUGNBOX" plates are not included in the sale, but current California white plates will be installed. Titled as a 1971 Volkswagen SV to the factory VW chassis number.
Videos of the build are available on YouTube (Just search "Carchaeology Brubaker Box") and you will find them. A full gallery of photos and details are also being posted on our Oldbug website (message for a link if you cant find it). Local inspection is available. Sale is as is without warranty.
Thank you for your attention and interest. Please share this listing with a friend and thanks to all who bid on this very special bit of automotive history.

• Make: Volkswagen
• Model: Bus/Vanagon
• Type: Minivan
• Doors: 1
• Year: 1971
• Mileage: 100
• VIN: 1102392016
• Color: Green
• Engine size: 1600cc
• Number of cylinders: 4
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Drive type: 2WD
• Interior color: Brown
• Drive side: Left-Hand Drive
• Vehicle Title: Clean
Want to buy? Contact seller!