You see a fair number of second-generation Type 2 VWs rolling around on Alameda's streets, but the early 1950-67 models are getting pretty rare. I spotted this roof-rack-equipped model still carrying on its vanly duties at age 50...

It's been around, all right; it's a safe assumption that this isn't the only Bondo on the car. But hey, it looks kinda mean like this!

Judging by the roof rack, it's still being used as some sort of work vehicle. Or is the rack some kind of rare factory option that's kept in place by a VW-worshiping owner?

You want simple interior, mein herr? We give you one gauge, und you are lucky to get that much! The designers of the '57 Type II believed in painted sheet metal and absolute simplicity when it came to appointments in the passenger cabin. Gas gauge? Nein! Having driven a couple of reserve-tank-equipped VWs, I can say it's a bit disconcerting to have a vehicle where running out of gas is SOP.

Hooray for this owner's decision not to install one of those hideous RVEECO oil coolers on the side. The stock hubcaps look good, too.

All in all, the early Type II VW is a great example of a vehicle that sort of sucked- it was hideously underpowered, made its Beetle siblings seem like good handlers, and dissolved like a sugar cube in hot water the first time it even smelled road salt. But it could always be kept running, got decent fuel economy considering the cubic capacity, and could fit in tight spaces. Plus it looked great. – Murilee Martin

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It has only taken a smidge over eight months since we dropped it, but this past Sunday I helped buddy Scott nearly-literally shoehorn the beautifully rebuilt 1500cc wind-chilled motivator back into his project Type III. Scott has a much more knowledgeable write up of the day's proceedings over on his impressively researched VW 1500 restoration blog. But I will say this: I hate the clutch return spring on all Type III Karmann Ghias. I thought the Germans were supposed to be such great design wunderkinds? Turns out they're French. Anyhow, now that the engine is back home, Scott is just waiting on a six-volt battery, some last minute futzing (oil leaks) and my sister to get married before Jalopnik gets a test drive. The plan is to point the car up hill, in case the brakes don't work. Make the jump to see a photo of the idiotic part that took longer to install than the actual engine.

Below is the dang-blasted Clutch return mechanism and stupid return spring. Instructions concerning how to re-install it are missing from both How Works A Volkswagen and the factory manual.

Ninety-minutes and two bloody-hands later. We even got the clutch cable reattached. Jalopnik Top Tip: If you are wondering why your old VeeDub toolkit includes a 14mm wrench, look no further than the nut on the end of the clutch cable.

And now, because I love you all, some gratuitous shots of the engine. Enjoy! – Jonny Lieberman

Engine In [vwplusvw1500.blogspot.com]

Related:
How Works a Volkswagen? Karmann Ghia Type III Rebuild, Part 1