The Volkswagen bus is a coveted collector vehicle. We see striking examples of the iconic model (also known as the Type 2 Transporter Van) all the time on eBay Motors. They run the gamut from rusty roller projects to meticulously restored 23-window gems - opens in new window or tab..
But we rarely encounter one retrofitted with a humongous 509 cubic-inch Cadillac V-8 engine.
item 1 of 15
The bulging rear fenders provide the first visual cue to the outrageous red and black 1966 21-window restomod. Each side of the bus sports a prominent set of ventilation grates, topped with a jumbo-sized exhaust tip. Something inside is hungry for air.
The cargo hatch carries a pair of plates punched with louvers. Emblems below the louver plates spell it out in huge caps: ROCKETBOX.
560-HP Surfer Van
A look inside the VW’s tail section explains why the rear quarters are half a foot wider: to make room for the V-8.
The van’s frame is buttressed with steel rails to handle the torque, along with a torsion bar front suspension. The mechanicals include a four-speed automatic transmission, an Eldorado rear, dual radiators, and front disc brakes.
Stuffing that monster Caddy V-8 into a VW Transporter Van delivered an exponential jump in thrust. The original Volkswagen air-cooled four-cylinder engine produces roughly 50 horsepower. The engine swap multiplies that by 10 to unleash 560 ponies.
German auto-restoration expert Bodo Reichert built the Rocketbox over a decade in Surry, Canada. He finished work on the van more than a decade ago.
Restomod with Added Windows and Porsche Seats
The 1966 Volkswagen Rocketbox Van started as a humble $2,000 project. It did not roll off the assembly line as a highly sought-after 21-window van. The Vancouver Sun - opens in new window or tab. reported - opens in new window or tab. that Reichert added the upper window openings and large pop-out side windows. He was an intuitive builder who worked without blueprints. Reichert sadly passed away in 2016 after a bout with cancer.
The interior is highly customized with recently reupholstered Porsche 914 bucket seats, scratch-built consoles, and a one-of-a-kind wooden steering wheel. The heater and defroster are hand-fabricated as well. The dashboard is expertly refinished and features aftermarket gauges. The Rocketbox is a remarkable piece of work.
Valuing this VW Bus is tricky. Samba van prices have skyrocketed in recent years. With a Buy-It-Now listing price of $67,900, the Rocketbox sits in the lower range between Hagerty’s “excellent value” of $114,000 and its “good value” of $49,000.
But this is not an authentic Samba. It’s a custom restomod of a base van representing the work of a master body technician. It’s tough to put a value on the experience of owning such a powerful and unique van.
The seller, Gulf Coast Exotic Auto of Biloxi, Miss., priced it reasonably. As luck would have it, the dealership sits about an hour east of NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center - opens in new window or tab.. Visitors there can sometimes see test firings of rocket engines. The new owner of the Rocketbox for sale on eBay will blast off every day.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.