It has early vw wheels and brakes

That's a Plattenwagen. They were made in Wolfsburg to carry freight around the factory. Ben Pon supposedly sketched the Type 2 after seeing these running around the factory.

which end is the front or does it drive from both sides.

Yep thats what it is... didnt know the name, but knew thats what they were for in the factory.

Looks like this one is a later model from the 60s or so.

There used to be an english ford with similar wheels to old VW... might be one of them ??? Sure looks like english styling.

well the way it look it might have come a cropper a bit he he, i have seen pictures of one before but thought it was some crazy motor show concept, that amounted to nothing.