Celebrity-featured microvan with fresh mechanicals and handcrafted wood restoration—now road-ready and available from Lane Motor Museum.
A quirky piece of automotive and television history has resurfaced in pristine condition. The 1960 Lloyd LT600 Van, first discovered in derelict form on the History Channel’s American Pickers, has since undergone a remarkable transformation and is now offered for sale by the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
This German microvan, VIN 121528, was purchased from the Pioneer Auto Museum in South Dakota by Pickers host Mike Wolfe and later sold to Lane Motor Museum in a 2015 episode. At the time, the vehicle was little more than a deteriorated shell, with extensive wood rot, a non-running engine, and a crumbling interior.
After a brief appearance on Barn Finds and a failed auction attempt, the van was humorously gifted to a retired auto restorer in Pennsylvania—who had recently taken up woodworking. The result? A full restoration that combined expert mechanical refreshment with finely crafted timberwork, breathing new life into the once-forgotten LT600.
Powering the van is its original 596cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, delivering 25 horsepower and a top speed of around 53 mph. The drivetrain was fully rebuilt between 2018 and 2020, with new pistons, cylinders, valves, and a refaced timing chain. The four-speed manual transmission and clutch were also rebuilt using parts sourced from a donor gearbox.
With just 3 miles driven since the restoration, this LT600 is structurally sound and cosmetically sharp. Its light blue paint, completed in late 2020, shows virtually no wear, and the cabin boasts deep red vinyl, exposed wood framing, and updated rubber and carpeted flooring. It rides on Firestone F-560 tires (145-R13) with minimal use and features a completely rebuilt braking system.
Originally built as a “Personenkraftwagen” (passenger vehicle), the LT600 exemplifies post-war German ingenuity and minimalism. Now, it’s a rolling testament to craftsmanship, television fame, and second chances. See it here.
