Finally decided to sell my single cab...also posted on Samba. $7950 or trade.
When I first saw this truck, ten or so years ago, just as any sane hobbiest, I had to have it. Unfortunately, the previous owner, who had rescued it from a field in Ohio a couple of decades before, had absolutely no interest in selling. As the years passed, he and I traded a few things and developed some simultaneous hobbies. From BMW airheads to woodworking, interests came but didn't seem to go. Fortunately for me, his interest led a bit further from this single cab, while mine crept closer and closer. So, when the phone call finally came, I was pretty excited.
I picked the old red truck up and started the process of converting his work bench back into a daily driver. New brake system (real German parts, front and rear…just price the wheel cylinders, if you can find them), rebuilt tranny and big nut boxes from a 66/67 (with a highway r/p), a 1600dp from a hatchback (upright tin of course), a bit of electrical work and some elbow grease and the truck was ready to drive. In other words, there are a few modifications, but nothing that cannot easily be undone - that is except for the color change. The truck was originally blue, but 30+/- years ago it was sprayed in and out and through and through the bright red you see in the pictures...almost Sealing Wax. A few rust repairs were done, not super well, before the job - in other words there is some bondo near the front beam and at the rear corner under the battery...not sure where else, but there is some, though nothing I find terminal. There is also a bit of rust in the treasure chest floor, frame channels and two of the jack points are missing, but the truck is strong and the cab floors are great. It carries a load of mulch with no worries, or a load of kids in the local parade…and if I wasn't concerned about keeping the bed straight (it's about as straight as an original could be), I wouldn't hesitate to load it with gravel.
The wheels are correct (except the 14" spare), the church key works fine, and the doors don't really lock, though they latch just fine (as does the treasure chest door and the rear hatch that requires a bungee to stay open). Speedo works, lights all work, heater boxes even sort of kind of work, but the fuel tank reserve was bypassed long ago by replacing the petcock with a straight pipe. That about covers the accessories, except for the two seatbelts and the one wiper of course…and the immediate popularity whenever you stop in a parking lot. The wiper motor does work, pretty speedy too since it's the only 6v item left with the converted, alternator driven, 12v system. Oh, yeah, the windows do slide open and the vents turn but do not latch (seals are too tight). And, I have the mount to install the spare behind the seat as well, though it is stowed - and get this, the interior light works. Freaky, huh?
Gates are very functional. Rear wheel wells were cut by someone with less sense than saw blades. Bumpers are present and correct, though have a ding or two. Or three. Or four. Nose is great. Interior is nice and while the door panels are umm, well, custom, so a previous owner could install speakers, I have the uncut originals (the installed panels are pretty darn nice for a custom, plywood job). Fortunately the dash has never been cut either. Various other parts and spares will be included (spare trans and boxes, period 40 horse, tons of other bits and pieces). The tires are old, old old, but have tread and I drive on them without worries - wouldn't cross the country for sure, but just can't bring myself to replace them – after all, the whitewalls speak for themselves.
What else do you need to know?
Well, I'm interested in fun stuff. See, while the single cab is a great truck and I get a huge smile every time I crank it and run to the store to pick up lumber, mulch, a door or a gallon of milk and a six pack, the seat has a real hard time handling two adults, two kids and their gear. But there are other things…things that just might even handle a friend or two as well. Cash is good too.
So, I might be interested in some sort of potential trade. One that involves a camper. Or a Thing. Or a Eurovan Camper. Or a Thing. Or a Thing with a camper, perhaps in a Eurovan's clothing.
In other words, what do you have? I’m not sure what exactly I’m looking for (other than cash), but whatever it is, I'd like for it to look just like this '59 single cab and be fun to drive too, but we can't win them all, can we?
I'm willing to trade up or down and may be interested in whatever odd ride you have (not customized stuff, however, unless it’s just super quirky) - if it's a 61 or 62 vert (unmolested, and yes, lowering is molesting), I'd be pretty tempted too....make an offer; the worst that can happen is a no...not much play in the cash price…probably close to what I have in it, so keep that in mind. As always, trades are valued by me not by a book.
So, I’ll look forward to hearing from you, thanks, and enjoy the ride.
