It’s true that Grumman has made much more than canoes, but this Eagle Scout knows this aerospace company most directly for its aluminum boats. Well, boats and LLV mail trucks.
What the heck is a Kubvan? The interwebs say it was an earlier version of what became the LLV (Long-Life Vehicle), used by the United States Postal Service. Apparently, about 500 were built, and the underpinnings are related to the Volkswagen Caddy (AKA Rabbit Pickup), with the drivetrain shared with these Vee-Dubs. That means there is some German Engineering in ze Haus!
Being a Grumman, one finds plenty of riveted aluminum, straight from aircraft and those beloved canoes.
The cockpit is about what one would expect from a proposed mail truck – nothing more and nothing less. That means we love it! This one has been mildly accessorized.
Opening the rear doors reveals a fairly large cargo area, ready for your camping conversions. Of course, taller campers (perhaps all in the US) will want to measure and try this out before considering sleeping in it.
Power comes from a VW 1.6L I4, which was reportedly replaced a while back. This is a small vehicle, so should move out just fine – at least when compared to it contemporary, the Vanagon.
This one could be yours, as it’s on eBay as of Jan. 27, 2025.
BIN Price: $19,500
This listing ends Jan. 29, 2025, but isn’t an auction and is at a consignment dealer; so it’s likely to pop back up
Original ad text:
Vehicle Description
1985 Grumman Kubvan
For consignment, a 1985 Grumman Kubvan showing 85,998 miles but the true miles are unknown and the engine was replaced in 2012 with, according to our consignor, a low mileage 1.6 liter. From the files of “odd cars we see at the mall” this tiny German manufactured cargo van is unique, rare, quirky and ultimately collectible. There’s a 99.99% chance you will have the only one at the car show and this aluminum box on wheels would be a welcome entry at German and VW shows as the original drivetrain was from the Rabbit.
Exterior
Riveted aluminum encases this toaster shaped cutie, looking like a project from Airstream, and presenting like a scaled down version of the vintage panel trucks built in nearby Boyertown, PA. Barn door style rear doors include windows for a rear view and the front is surrounded by sizable glass windows with an almost Brinks truck like profile. The roof rails are accessible, and the side mirrors are uniquely mounted. The hood is primer gray, the bumpers are black and the 14-inc wheels are also VW and have a wheelbase of just 99 inches. The height is 71 inches, that’s about 5′ feet, 9 inches. There’s a ding or two and a scratch in the aluminum but otherwise the exterior is in good condition.
Interior
The doors slide out of place and reveal a utilitarian and sparse interior with cloth low back bucket seats flanking a homemade wood center console. The passenger seat was an option when new and this van has it. We haven’t seen a dashboard this angular since the Cyber truck and the black plastic construction houses basic gauges, various black knobs, an upright shifter, and an AM/FM/CD radio along with vents and speakers, all in decent shape. A rubber floor covering is in place and according to the spec sheet that came with Kubvans, it has a thermal insulating pad underneath. The cargo area is essentially barren with a spare tire and jack mounted to a sidewall frame brace.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a VW 1.6 liter inline 4-cylinder diesel engine with fuel injection and a 3-speed automatic transmission that keeps power to the front wheels. Power brakes are on board with front discs and rear drums.
Undercarriage
Looking much like the girder construction of a bridge, aluminum beams make up the construction, designed with holes throughout to save weight without compromising strength and structure. There’s surface rust on the axles and exhaust and some oil on the pan, but otherwise the underside is relatively clean. A single exhaust leaves the engine and finds a stock style muffler before exiting behind a rear wheel. Suspension is configured with Macpherson struts up front and coil springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
This compact little truck feels like a micro car in dimensions while its cargo area is more cavernous than your Forester. The diesel warms up and off we go, around the test loop in a cargo van that sits low, handles well, and is probably putting out around 60 horsepower, adequate for this vehicle that weighs around 2,000 pounds. Our functionality report reveals that the reverse lights do not illuminate but all other functions work as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
In the words of Monty Python, and now for something completely different. Even if you’ve never heard of a Kubvan, it’s going to be love at first sight! Its toy-like demeanor and metal exterior and manageable size make this an instant hit. And of course, there is a Facebook group dedicated to these vans where 1,100 people converse regularly and provide support and parts to other owners. Here’s a rare opportunity to own one of just a few hundred Kubvans and whether you’re a VW enthusiast, micro car lover, or just have a knack for unusual things, this van fits the bill!
Oddimotive: Learn it, Live it, Love it
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