Okay, folks, let me tell you about this project I’ve been messing around with – a 1970 VW Pickup Truck. It’s been quite the ride, so grab a seat and let’s dive in.
It all started when I stumbled upon this old, dusty 1970 Volkswagen Type 2 single cab pickup. Yeah, the rare kind with the fold-down sides around the bed. I saw it and thought, “This thing’s got potential!” The body was in decent shape. It had that classic, vintage look that just screamed for a revival. I immediately started to check the VIN which is BH202360 to see the vehicle’s history, then I know this is the rare model that I can’t miss.
First thing I did was give it a good once-over. Checked the engine, a 1776cc air-cooled 4-cylinder, not the original, but still a solid piece of machinery. It was pretty much untouched, which was both a blessing and a curse. The previous owner barely drove it. Then, I checked the four-speed manual transaxle, it’s still working, but not smoothly.
I started by cleaning it up, inside and out. Pulled out the seats, scrubbed the floors, and wiped down every inch of that beige exterior and tan interior. It was a lot of elbow grease, but seeing it slowly come back to life was worth every bit of sweat.
Next up, I tackled the engine. It needed some serious TLC. I replaced the spark plugs, changed the oil, and cleaned out the carburetor. It took a few tries, but eventually, I got it to purr like a kitten. Well, maybe not a kitten, more like an old, slightly grumpy cat, but it was running!
- Replaced spark plugs
- Changed oil
- Cleaned carburetor
Then came the fun part – making it roadworthy. I checked the brakes, and let me tell you, they were practically non-existent. So, I replaced the brake pads, bled the lines, and adjusted everything until it stopped on a dime. Safety first, right?
The fold-down sides were a bit rusty and stiff, so I spent a good amount of time oiling the hinges and working them back and forth until they moved smoothly. It was like giving this old truck a new lease on life. It was an absolutely happy time when I fixed it.
The interior needed some love too. I managed to find some original-style seat covers and installed them. They were a bit of a pain to put on, but they made a huge difference in how the cab looked.
Finally, after weeks of work, I took it out for a spin. Driving that old VW pickup was like stepping back in time. It drove surprisingly well for its age, and I got a lot of thumbs-ups and smiles from people on the street. It’s not every day you see a classic like this on the road.
The result
So, that’s my story of restoring a 1970 VW pickup truck. It was a lot of hard work, but it was incredibly rewarding. Now I have this awesome, unique vehicle that turns heads wherever I go. I still drive it every week. I’m so proud of this truck. Hope you enjoyed the story, and maybe it’ll inspire you to take on a project of your own. Until next time, keep those engines running!
