1975 Automecca Brubaker Box Sports Van For Sale
There are few cars that carry more lore, fantasy, tragedy, rise and fall than the Brubaker Box.
Despite its initial launch craze in 1972 as the car of the future, the project failed almost immediately
with only three cars built By Brubaker. It's second wind gasp for life under the Automecca name
was more successful, yet its production only numbered 25 when the project was officially shelved.
Though small in number, the cultural wave the Brubaker Box caused
still flows until modern day. Its inclusion in fantasy futuristic films, its occasional
appearance in media in the decades following, have made the Brubaker a cult classic
for film and design fans of all generations. Its rarity however has kept it to an almost mythical
level of existence...a unicorn on wheels. Many have seen it, but to get one
yourself has been almost unobtainable.
It is said that there are roughly 10 running Brubakers in the world.
There is probably the same amount in various states of disrepair or caught in stasis as
"gonna get to it someday" restoration projects. While plans and progress has been made
by a California based shop to build them again over the past decade, the dream
has not yet become a reality, which also adds to its mythical status.
This Brubaker is a well known example restored as a passion project by a San Diego based
recording artist. Videos and magazine features bubbled up after its completion
but then the car went into hiding for the most part. Occasional runs around the block
but it sat more than it drove. The last "nap" being about 6 years since we
pulled it out and re-started it a few days ago.
The storage situation was perfect with a good garage and temperate climate,
covered and protected it really still looks quite fresh.
A new battery and some fresh gas and she's rockin!
The details on this car are special as well.
This one has the optional moon roof panel, that can be removed for
open air driving. Not all of them had this.
This car also has its correct seats and all the proper original trim
All the proper lights, lenses, glass and trim are in place...this one started out as the
perfect survivor all original car...so when it went back together it remained correct.
The car is based on a standard Beetle full length chassis.
This one is a ball joint front end, IRS rear end basis.
All fully restored and rebuilt. Upgraded to disc brakes in front,
a pro built freeway flyer geared transmission and a stout 2275 cc engine with dual Dellorto carbs.
This Box gets up and flies!!
All new floor pans and everything...its a well built car.
The exterior restoration is nice and shows well.
In the bright sun the metal flake really jumps out at you.
There are some variances in flake spread over the body so its not
flawlessly consistent in reflective color, but its all about where the light hits it.
The body is in great shape and the fit of everything is quite nice for such a car.
I tried to catch the light in a photo so you can see some variation.
Under the door handle you can see a blotchy variance in color.
Maybe a touch up or blend in that spot? Or just something in the mix of paint and flake
when it was done...anyway, you hopefully get what Im looking at .
So...step back from the magnifying glass searching for a flaw...this thing is really nice.
Fiberglass of the era and such low production normally doesnt age well
but this car just has a great survivor original vibe to it, what has been done in restoration
has been done totally true to form. Small mechanical upgrades aside,
the only thing not "showroom stock" (if there ever were such a thing of handbuilt cars)
the wood spoke wheels are questionable. They are era correct I think, and if the spokes matched the
bumpers it would make perfect visual sense... but they are just bolted on and
the car comes with a set of original slotted aluminum wheels if you want the car to look like the sales brochure.
Back into the details...the sliding door mechanism
Pretty slick and simple and it moves quite well.
Interior is so damn perfect ...sorry. I just dig it.
That stitched pattern on the velour roof and side panels is just awesome
and the rich black naugahyde curving love seat... man what a scene.
Just screams the 1970s!
I'll leave this all to your imagination...but yeah. A very interesting space.
The front seats are the original ones to the car as well, which seams very uncommon in the few I have seen.
These angled blocks are wood wrapped in steel. as they were when new (if you look close at promo photos, etc)
The big moonroof makes it even cooler!
All of them had the small one over the dash (so you could see stoplights and such)
but not many got the sunroof. This panel comes out as well for open air motoring.
The dash in this one is awesome too with the continuation of the rear headliner panels
in a slick sunburst stitch pattern. So cool!
Period audio in the cabin
The era perfect steering wheel
Wait what? Heck yes its got a CB radio!