Volkswagen T2 Pickup

Description

The Volkswagen T2 Pickup is one of many Volkswagen Transporter castings released by Hot Wheels, and is a replication of the 1968 Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter truck as can be seen by the lack of the beetle-inspired V-shaped centerpiece on the front. Due to the 1963 imposition of the 'Chicken Tax' by President Lyndon B. Johnson, a 25% tariff that rendered these trucks virtually nonexistent in the US market. This had come about in retaliation to the European tariffs on imported American chicken. Much more common in Europe and Latin America, the T2 pickup served as a hardy motorized workhorse for many, from farmers and Tradesman to even just the common youths who wanted to partake in the VW-craze set off by the counterculture movement of the time.

The Hot Wheels version, unlike many Truck castings has a tonneau cover over the cargo bed, in lieu of a detailed cargo area. This is also seen on the '63 Studebaker Champ casting.

Versions

The Volkswagen T2 Pickup has been released in the following 1/64 scale versions:

Col #	Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
201 / 365	2017	HW Art Cars 1/10	Light Green	Red, Black & White shapes & 'Hot Wheels' on sides & top	Chrome / Plastic	Clear	Black	Chrome Red MC5	DTX02	Malaysia	Base code(s):K06, K11 2017 New Model
295 / 365	2017	HW Art Cars 1/10	White	Blue, Black & Green Shapes & 'Hot Wheels' on sides & top	Black / Plastic	Clear	Black	Chrome Blue MC5	DVB78	Malaysia	Base code(s): K20 2017 New Model

2017 card

From the back of the 2017 card:

Born: 1968
Birthplace: Hanover, Germany
Designer: Hot Wheels^®
Specialty: Sought after by collectors worldwide, the iconic 1968 Volkswagen T2 Pickup features large bay windows and plenty of room for an epic road trip—and maybe even an epic trip down memory lane to a time where peace, love and groovy tunes ruled the roads.