Double the Fun

The Double Cab Pick Up truck joined VW’s own range of factory models in November 1958, after VW had seen the success of the double cab conversions made by Binz from 1953.

- DAVID ECCLES 

Commonly referred to as a Doka, (abbreviated from Doppelkabine, i.e. Double Cab), the crew cab model was especially popular with work gangs, building contractors, municipal authorities and the fire service as it offered a unique combination of load carrying in an open cargo area and personnel carrier that could transport up to six people. Often described by VW copywriters as a cross between a Kombi and a Pick Up, the cargo bed had an area of had an area 30sq ft with easy access for long or awkward loads. VW’s version improved on some of the earlier Binz features with a conventionally opening rear passenger door, a special longer roof pressing, standard size side windows for the rear cab and of course none of those cut and shut welds! Due to the shortened load bed the under bed storage space was lost but additional storage was offered under the rear seat.

The Doka featured here was a 1964 Model Year US export model, built on 22nd October 1963, and finished in Dove Blue. It was fitted with the 1500cc engine, which had been introduced the previous January and the M plate also reveals it also had the Tarp and Bows option (M 207). Whilst other models had had the cooling vent pattern redesigned in March 1963, the Pick retained its eight outward facing vents until they were relocated to the side in 1965. However one unexplained anomaly is the cab door handles which are the pull out type fitted until Nov 62, when the push button versions replaced them.