TheSamba.com :: View topic - My 1975 Brubaker Box automecca sports van

Sun Jul 14, 2013 9:06 am

I just recently acquired a Brubaker box and thought this would be a cool place to share pics and its story. Here it is when it arrived last month after 30 year hibernation. Anyone else up here have one?

Sun Jul 14, 2013 9:38 am

Nice find, I've just got the brochure for it

There are several threads on it in the archives

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89020

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427104

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=383590

Sun Jul 14, 2013 9:45 am

Wow.. Lucky you. I remember it when it hit the magazines. Clearly an excellent shape. In the ranks with Bob Thomas' Cheetah, the Manx and a few others. ..and do I see a skylight? Good for you - a real find.

Lots of time when you search via Google Images.. this can lead you to some sites that do not rank well in standard search, but may have some info.

Jim

Sun Jul 14, 2013 5:19 pm

Please post a video when you get it running, that thing is crazy!!!!

Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:19 pm

Judging by the 'parking brake' in your photo, I'd say that you have a good start for the wood front bumper.

bnc

Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:53 am

Wait a minute- same paint, same steering wheel, same rims - same skylight - is that the actual "Box" from the brochure?!?

We need more photos!

Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:35 am

Side lights seem a little different.

Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:36 am

Thanks everyone! It's def not the one from the brochure, but it's probably the most original and complete of all the surviving examples.
One of the coolest things about it is how a lot of different parts from various manufacturers were used in the design...for instance, the side markers are 71-77 dodge b-van, the tail lights are '70 Datsun 521 pickup, two interior recessed dome lights are from dodge C body 70-71 only, pinto wagon rear glass...etc.
I will post more pics ASAP....I also started a Wordpress site to document all the info and resto pics related to the Brubaker box. Here's the link:
Brubakerbox.Wordpress.com

Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:45 am

Update: ALL brakes components and lines replaced, front disc upgrade, ALL electrical re-done, new shocks, new tires, and motor removed, takin apart, and back together and almost in...should be running in a week or so hopefully . here's a before and after of the motor so you can get an idea of how far it has come:

Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:08 am

That's impressive. You should probably put a stainless steel shield between the turbo and where it sits close under the fiberglass body. What are you going to do for cabin heat/defrost?

Fri Jul 26, 2013 8:18 am

BL3Manx wrote: You should probably put a stainless steel shield between the turbo and where it sits close under the fiberglass body.

This. And do you need heat/defrost in Long Beach? I thought it was sunny all year round there.. :lol:

Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:18 am

Thanks guys....yes I eliminated the cabin heat/defrost ...southern California allows for that fortunately :)

Sat Jul 27, 2013 3:39 pm

That is one weird but super freaking cool looking van. Good luck and have fun with the project :)

Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:08 pm

Finally, somebody has put some real power into a Prius. :D

Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:03 pm

Greyboy wrote:

Man, that is a thing of beauty right there. Wheeeew.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:12 pm

Damn, I want one!

Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:28 pm

If you don't mind my asking, where did you find that?

Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:00 am

It was in a shed in New Jersey since 83....then popped up on soth jersey CL one day about 6 months ago...
Just finished removing the rotted pans and replaced with new...shouldn't be long now..

Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:19 am

Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:54 am

Looking good.

Every time I come in and check this thing out all I can think of is lifting it and putting a set of big mud tires on it.

And the turbo would help!

Cool project, will keep checking out the progress.