America-s Most Radical Pickup Truck in 1961 - Jay Leno’s Garage

I can easily say that the VW pick-up was smarter designed... it wasn't a copy attempt with the freedom of original designing what worked and what didn't. It was also rated as a 3/4 ton, the Corvair copied that payload too. https://i.imgur.com/FI5eYSK.png

I really dislike the shifter linkage... if you got high grounded you wouldn't be able to change gears, whereas the VW had a flat pan that allowed the bottom to skid freely, but that would be copying, wouldn't it...
Leno is right sitting over the front wheel is a little odd to feel for the first few drives, but it was definitively a thrill for a young driver. I've had four VW vans and loved them. I still have a 68 that I drove across Canada and almost died it it a couple times... sitting in a farmers field collecting blown silt. https://i.imgur.com/CKMDENN.png