Meet The Cybertruck Your Parents Probably Partied In During The ’70s
- One of about two dozen Automecca Sports Vans built after the original Brubaker Box.
- Recently restored with bright red paint, rebuilt 1.6L VW flat-four, and front disc brakes.
- Equipped with roof surfboards, lounge-style interior, and a period-correct 8-track player.
There aren’t too many genuinely weird new cars on sale today. Decades ago, kit car manufacturers leveraged Volkswagen platforms to ensure that just about any corner of the market was served. Those who wanted to enjoy road trips with shag carpet vibes and California style with a shape other than the Type II Bus had this as an option for a brief time. Behold, the Automecca Sports Van.
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From Brubaker Box To Sports Van
Also known as the Brubaker Box for its creator, Curtis Brubaker, this lounge on wheels sits atop a Volkswagen Beetle chassis. Brubaker originally built just three of these before his company folded, but Automecca later bought the rights and marketed the design as a Sports Van.
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Considering that many thought the Porsche Cayenne was sacrilege and incapable of living up to the brand’s name, it’s no wonder that the ‘Sports Van’ never caught on. That being said, there’s a niche market for original examples today. In total, there were only ever around two dozen completed examples of the Brubaker Box, which makes them extremely rare.
Rediscovered And Restored
This example evidently spent three decades tucked away in an Indiana garage before being revived in 2021. The seller oversaw a documented refurbishment that included a repaint in bright red, ceramic coating, and a rebuilt 1.6-liter air-cooled flat-four with an EMPI carburetor and stainless-steel headers. It’s unclear how much power this Sports Van makes, but it sends whatever it’s making through the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox.
The exterior feels like something Elon Musk would’ve designed at the time. It’s angular, surprisingly small overall, and yet very spacious. There are only six total pieces of glass, most of them forward of the mid-line so the blind spots in this van must be challenging. Surfboards sit on the roof, and a woodgrain front bumper caps off this wild design.
Inside the cabin, the van dates itself in a way that is genuinely charming. Tufted red upholstery is everywhere, including in the wraparound rear bench seat. In the front, a genuine Brother Aquatron VX-33 8-Track player is ready to roll should the next owner have the hardware to play.
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Rare And Up For Sale
Those interested in owning a very unique piece of automotive history can check out the auction link here. As of this writing, it’s bid up to just over $30,000 with almost a week to go.
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