This Automecca Sports Van will make you feel like you're driving a fully sized Hot Wheels car
Published on Sep 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Sep 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This 1970s Automecca Sports Van – also known as the Brubaker Box – looks like an oversized Hot Wheels toy.
If the name seems unfamiliar to you, that’s hardly a surprise.
The Brubaker Box was an unusual vehicle created by Curtis Brubaker, Todd Gerstenberger, and Harry Wykes and was built on the chassis of a Volkswagen Beetle.
Although it was in production from 1972 to 1979, only a handful of Automecca Sports Vans were built. And one of them recently went on sale in California.
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The Automecca Sports Van was recently listed for sale
Shopping for used cars online can throw up some truly weird and wonderful finds, like this super obscure ‘revolutionary’ EV from the 1980s, or this ’90s Chevy truck that was, for an unfathomable reason, given a bird beak body kit.
And if rare and unusual vehicles are your thing, then you might be interested to learn more about this Automecca Sports Van.
The Brubaker Box was built sometime during the 1970s by California-based Automecca.
It’s unclear who bought it originally or how long they held onto it for, but the listing says the van spent three decades parked in a garage in Indiana before it was rescued in 2021.
After it was rescued, the Automecca Sports Van had a complete refresh, which included new exterior paintwork, a set of Cragar 15-inch wheels, front disc brakes, and a rebuild of its 1.6-liter flat four engine.
All the work has paid off, and despite its age, the Brubaker Box looks to be in tip-top condition, with neat and tidy paintwork, a tinted sunroof, and a woodgrain front bumper.
There’s even a surfboard mounted to the roof, which features the Hot Wheels logo.
Inside, you’ll find red tufted upholstery and wrap-around lounge seating, as well as a super retro Brother Aquatron 8-track player.
After being listed for sale online, the Automecca Sports Van was snapped up for $43,000.
Why the Brubaker Box is such a rare find
The Automecca Sports Van was constructed from fiberglass and was made up of 13 inner and outer panels, including a floor panel.
Originally, its creators had hoped to strike a deal with Volkswagen to create the vans, but when that didn’t go to plan, they decided to buy finished VW Beetles and convert them.
However, this wasn’t a particularly profitable idea, and it’s estimated that only around 25 completed examples were made before the company filed for bankruptcy.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
