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Definitely out of the ordinary, this builder went above and beyond expectations. A little rusty and just a tad bit ratty, check out this 1961 Volkswagen Type 2/Singlecab turned rat rod we spotted on YouTube.
Introduced in 1950 as either a cabover panel van or pickup truck, this Volkswagen bears no resemblance to its original design. The only recognizable piece may be the cab, but the rest of this creation takes bits and pieces from other automobiles.
The rod is built on a completely custom chassis, built from 2×3 rectangular 3/16-inch steel tubing. What’s more, behind the cab rests a Chevy Performance ZZ5 Crate V8 mill that cranks out 400 horsepower and 400 ft-lbs of torque. The mill is mated to a Hughes Performance Shorty Powerglide transmission. According to Hughes Performance, the transmission’s longer output shaft helps compensate for suspension travel and allows for normal engagement between the transmission output shaft and the coupler.
This custom sports a ZZ5 Crate engine that provides plenty of power to the wheels. Photos courtesy of Its Ben Modified
The rearend stems from a 1999 Ford Explorer, which runs with 3.73 gears. Dual Magnaflow mufflers expel a distinct rumble out back, letting the crate engine breathe freely. Twin electric radiator fans were custom fabricated onto the radiator to keep things cool in the engine bay.
With the engine, rearend and transmission riding behind the cab, it makes for a cool creation where typically the power rests up front. With an estimated curb weight of about 3,000 pounds, this beast is nimble for its long frame and stature. A set of Weld Wheels give the custom a performance touch to the overall package, which are wrapped with Mickey Thompson Sportsman rubber, noting massive 8-inch sidewalls in the rear.
The rearend was modified several times to fit the drivetrain and various components. Photos courtesy of Its Ben Modified
Heading inside, the seat mounting points were relocated to create more leg room for the driver and passenger. The flooring features a recessed area beneath the seat that provides underside air conditioning. A dash mounted shifter with a piston shift knob was also fabricated to go along with unique telemetry that glows blue in the night. Even more clever, a steering wheel was custom made that looks like an old-school Citroen style steering wheel.
From the underside air conditioning to the steering wheel and seat, everything is custom in this cab.
The fabrication on this custom is off the charts. From the front end and rear fenders to the cab’s interior, it has all been modified to the extreme. Surprisingly, the rear fenders are made up of four narrow fenders, welded together to make two wide fenders. It may be missing a paint job, but its patina look gives the car more prestige.
From the headlights to the telemetry, this build stands in a class of its own. Photos courtesy of Its Ben Modified
The headlights consist of reversible locking spring loaded headlight mounts, bolted down with polished bullet headlights. When these lights are rotated back, they resemble Dagmar bumperettes, an artillery shell shaped style element that was found on the front bumper/grille assemblies on several cars produced in the 1950s. The headlight bucket relocation only made this creation that much more custom, transforming a simple truck into a fabricated phenom.
With plenty of meat hitting the pavement, this custom rod is a beauty in the eye of the beholder. The amount of fabrication on this build is astonishing. What are your thoughts? Feel free to share a comment or two below.
