1968 Volkswagen Brubaker Box #17 -Ruby Fire

 Never heard of a Brubaker Box?  Here’s the story in brief, or check out our series of youtube videos chronicling the discovery, acquisition, background and restoration of Ruby Fire, Brubaker Box #17;

Curtis Brubaker was a young student at the famed ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena California.  While at the beach in the late 60’s he noticed there were surfers with VW vans seemingly everywhere.  And…. he watched as his brother’s van was being stolen driving down the street. The popularity of the VW van for youth gave him an idea, which later became the industry changing “one-box” design.  A sporty, roomy, economical youth oriented van was envisioned.  Brubaker’s vision was the precursor to the mini van craze of the 80’s, which changed the automotive marketplace forever.

Brubaker collaborated with fellow ArtCenter colleagues Todd Gerstenberger and Harry Wykes to build the dream.  Their creation was the runaway hit of the L.A. auto show and encouraged them to start production.  However Volkswagen, who produced the VW beetle, on which the Box was based, was not willing to sell Brubaker parts…..only complete cars.  This added expense would not allow the Box to be a viable product for the marketplace, thus only 3 were built.  One of the initial investors, Mike Hansen, still believed in the little car, and formed AutoMecca to produce them.  Hansen was able to produce about 25 more before stopping production in the mid 70’s. 

Viewing a Brubaker Box in person is a rare event.  The few that exist are tightly held by collectors. 

Ruby Fire has been out on a few occasions. Perhaps you had a glimpse at: 

The Art Center Invitational Design Showcase, October 2022 as a featured vehicle.  This is where the Box was designed by Curtis Brubaker in 1969.

The Brubaker Box’s important place in automotive history was recently highlighted with a Box being on display at the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles alongside of an original Meyer’s Manx dune buggy.

Clearly, this is not your daily driver. It is something rare and unique in automotive culture. 

It is automotive art. A great design does not age……and at 50 years old, the Box remains fresh and unique.  In our many years collecting, showing and restoring vintage vehicles, no experience can match that of driving or showing a Brubaker Box.  Unique visually and viscerally, Ruby Fire always draws legions of admirers, both young and old.  A lasting impression is left with many saying, “after all these years I've never before seen one in person”. 

Ruby Fire would be an awesome addition to important motoring collections.

Ruby Fire  was factory produced in Chatsworth, California.  She still wears her original interior upholstery and her unique dash.