1954 Volkswagen Beetle Panel Van - The best of the 2019 Victorian Hot Rod Show

Yeah, yeah, we know this isn’t a hot rod, but is certainly ticks the ‘cool rides’ box!

While it looks like a modern conversion, this panel van version of a classic VW Beetle is actually more than 60 years old.

If you wanted a load-hauling VW in the 1950s, you had the Type 2 - aka Transporter, aka Kombi - to choose from. Nevertheless, enough people wanted their load-lugger to be based on a Beetle that a small number of European coachbuilders produced them.

These panel vans were built in very small numbers to suit an equally small niche market.

The body is all metal and is not a cut-and-shut of a Kombi back end. In fact, the only Kombi parts on this creation are the tail lights.

The owner of this unit saw it advertised on Facebook in 2018 and was determined to have it. The fact the van was located in Norway didn’t deter him from chasing it down, purchasing it, then shipping it in its own container to minimise damage from other freight.

And before you ask, the answer is ‘No’, this super-rare panel van is not for sale!