That’s because this already rare 1989 Volkswagen Transporter is a “DoKa” (or “double cab”) pickup truck, and on top of that it was originally owned by none other than Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche, the designer of the Porsche 911. Yup, it’s a unicorn.
After 25 years of ownership within the Porsche family, Butzi’s rare VW pickup was purchased by a Porsche racing driver in 2014, who restored it to original condition. It’s now up for sale again, going to auction in Denmark on May 28th, and it’s estimated to gavel for upwards of €80,000 (about $90,000). Porschephiles, commence freakout!
Despite the long history between the Porsche family and Volkswagen—Butzi’s grandfather Ferdinand Porsche designed the Beetle—you might find it odd that the father of the 911 sports car would drive a VW pickup. But even car designers have a home to manage (and plenty of stuff to haul).
According to the auction house, Butzi Porsche purchased the double cab VW pickup new on December 12, 1989, as a work truck for his family estate near Zell am See, Austria. He also used the DoKa pickup while running his own business, Porsche Design Studio, which he had started in 1972. Sadly, Butzi Porsche passed away in 2012 at the age of 76, but his remarkable design impact continues to live on in today’s 911 sports cars… and his dependable pickup is still running strong as well.
The ’89 DoKa pickup presents in jaw-dropping condition, as if it had just rolled off the Hanover factory production lines, though this is largely the result of a meticulous restoration process undertaken by the current owner (and Porsche family friend) at their racing garage. The full bare-metal restoration is claimed to have taken over 700 hours to complete.
Inside, the cabin and dashboard look clean enough to eat off of, an even more startling observation when you see the odometer shows a full 141,000 kilometers (87,600 miles) on the clock. It’s had a pretty full life, and it’s no luxury cruiser either; you’ll find no automatic windows and few creature comforts here. Just imagine the stories it could tell.
Photo Credit: Silverstone Auctions
After 25 years of ownership within the Porsche family, Butzi’s rare VW pickup was purchased by a Porsche racing driver in 2014, who restored it to original condition. It’s now up for sale again, going to auction in Denmark on May 28th, and it’s estimated to gavel for upwards of €80,000 (about $90,000). Porschephiles, commence freakout!
Despite the long history between the Porsche family and Volkswagen—Butzi’s grandfather Ferdinand Porsche designed the Beetle—you might find it odd that the father of the 911 sports car would drive a VW pickup. But even car designers have a home to manage (and plenty of stuff to haul).
According to the auction house, Butzi Porsche purchased the double cab VW pickup new on December 12, 1989, as a work truck for his family estate near Zell am See, Austria. He also used the DoKa pickup while running his own business, Porsche Design Studio, which he had started in 1972. Sadly, Butzi Porsche passed away in 2012 at the age of 76, but his remarkable design impact continues to live on in today’s 911 sports cars… and his dependable pickup is still running strong as well.
The ’89 DoKa pickup presents in jaw-dropping condition, as if it had just rolled off the Hanover factory production lines, though this is largely the result of a meticulous restoration process undertaken by the current owner (and Porsche family friend) at their racing garage. The full bare-metal restoration is claimed to have taken over 700 hours to complete.
Inside, the cabin and dashboard look clean enough to eat off of, an even more startling observation when you see the odometer shows a full 141,000 kilometers (87,600 miles) on the clock. It’s had a pretty full life, and it’s no luxury cruiser either; you’ll find no automatic windows and few creature comforts here. Just imagine the stories it could tell.
Photo Credit: Silverstone Auctions
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