Used Car of the Day: 1971 Volkswagen Transporter
As I've mentioned a few times when writing this feature, I try to pick interesting stuff, even if the vehicle needs to be restored.
That is the case with this 1971 Volkswagen Transporter.
It clearly needs restoration. There's a manual transmission and a 1,600 cc engine.
The seller says the title is in hand and the seats are in good condition.
There's not much else to the ad copy, but we can tell you the ask is $11,500 and the vehicle is located in Knoxville, Tennessee.
[Images: Seller]
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Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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- 2ACL My girlfriend currently drives a 2018 SE hatch. Automatic, but I've been handling the fluid services (looking to do another along with the filter soon) and it's been a solid runner for her. My only issue with its dynamics is the transmission's gingerly kick down out of corners (the SEL is the lowest trim that offers manual control functionality IIRC). Otherwise, none of the quirks that've blighted the Powershift's reputation have manifested.A stick would drastically extend its life expectancy. I know she isn't as committed to stick life though, which influenced my approval.
- MaintenanceCosts GM hasn't put any effort into any Cadillacs except the Blackwings and the electrics. They're getting out what they put in. Pretty simple, really.The XT4/5/6 are all just slightly up-styled versions of Chevy products, but priced as if they were on dedicated luxury platforms like the BMW and Benz competitors to the larger two. The XT6 is especially embarrassing.Even the Escalade is just a Tahoe/Suburban with a few trick design touches and a halfhearted materials upgrade. The good news for Cadillac is that the Tahoe/Suburban are seen as upscale enough that a half-a$s upgrade to them can be a legitimate luxury car.Where's the "gotta have it" factor? Where are the dazzling interior designs? Where's the swagger? Until those show up the brand is just a set of memories.
- Dwford The problem with Cadillac is that the only Cadillac they sell is the Escalade. Cadillacs are supposed to be large imposing vehicles that are visually impressive. Only the Escalade meets that standard. Everything else Cadillac sells are knock off BMWs. Cadillac shouldn't be in the business of selling compact 4 cylinder crossovers. Dime a dozen vehicles. You'd be better off buying a high trim version of any mainstream crossover than an XT4. Why does a CT4 start at the same price as a Camry XSE? Why do Buicks have nicer interiors than Cadillacs? Why to CHEVYS have nicer interiors than Cadillacs?
- EBFlex “Insatiable demand” Pretty sad when even the Uber deranged EU doesn’t want EVs.
- Jbltg Had a rental like this once, stock of course. NYC to Vermont. Very smooth and quiet, amazing fuel economy. Not the best for interior space though. Back seat and trunk barely usable.
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"Seats are in good condition, covers on them for looks."
If you post the advertising pictures with blankets covering the seats that appear to have been made by the original owners "Nana", I wouldn't even want to see what this sellers' idea of "good condition" is.
Personally I have never understood the appeal of these. Never have been in one, but almost everyone is in agreement that they are noisy, dangerously unsafe, and slower than a pregnant turtle.
Shame about the undercarriage and all the rust. Still, this one will sell. It has always amazed me the prices that these things go for.
T2 was 1967 to 1979 (I'm told).
My uncle had one of these (at a time; I think he went through 2 or 3) and a lot of kids.
At extended family gatherings when it was time to leave (but not really), he would make a pronouncement to 'load em up' and his kids would have to go sit in the 'bus' but the adults would keep jawboning for a quarter hour which left us (the other kids) standing around awkwardly looking upon our imprisoned relatives.
Story time over.
(Later he worked as a new car salesman and then a service writer. Make of that what you will.)