VW Transporter
What is your favourite Volkswagen Transporter of all time?
This is one of many illustrated classic car guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic VW Transporter / Campervan art featured in this guide please click here.
This guide features the classic Volkswagen Transporter models produced between 1950 and 1979. Included are four original Split-screen models from 1950-67 period and two second generation Bay-window models from 1967-79 era. 4.8-million Type 2s were produced between as 1950 and 1979 and today, hundreds of thousands of survivors remain cherished due to their unique blend of practicality, dependability and style.
1952 Microbus
After the launch of the Panelvan, which was designed to carry goods, it became obvious that "people carriers" would be needed in the Type 2 range. The Kombi and Microbus arrived in June 1950 as derivatives of the Panelvan with three windows on each side. The Kombi (Type 23) was the more basic version of the two vehicles having removable seats in the load area, in effect a dual-purpose people/cargo carrier. The Microbus (Type 22) had fixed seats, a better standard of interior trim and two-tone paintwork.
1955 Microbus Deluxe
June 1951 saw the release of the eight/nine-seater Deluxe Microbus or Samba. It featured a vast canvas sunroof, windows all the way round, four skylights along each side of the roof and a more fancy exterior trim. Inside, the dash which had previously been a single pod type was now made full-width to incorporate a clock and an optional radio. As with all Type 2s produced up until 1960, semaphore indicators are fitted. Engine capacity is 1,192cc, rated at 30bhp.
1956 Panelvan
Throughout the 17-year lifespan of the Split-screen Transporter, a number of models were offered to suit different purposes. The Panelvan, available in European showrooms from March 1950, proved to be one of the most popular and remained a mainstay of the range throughout. From June 1950 the Panelvan (Type 21) was joined by the Kombi (Type 23), which was basically a Panelvan with three side windows and removable seats in the load area. At the same time the Microbus (Type 22) was introduced, similar to the Kombi but with fixed seats, two-tone paintwork and better trim in the load area.
1962 Microbus Deluxe
Features of the top of the range Transporter are the aluminium strips dividing the two body colours, additional aluminium strips along the sills, chromed hubcaps and VW roundel and bumpers with rubber inserts. Dating from 1962 this model has "bullert" front indicators, pull-out cab door handles, outward-facing engine cooling louvres (with bright trims) and 15-inch wheels with slotted rims. The one-millionth Transporter rolled off the production line on the 2nd of October 1962.
1969 Microbus Deluxe
In August 1967, after the production of 1.8 million Split-screen Transporters, a completely new model was launched. Now popularly referred to as the Bay-Window Transporter after its large, one-piece windscreen, these second generation buses followed the same design philosophy as the originals and although some felt were endowed with less character than the "Splittie", they sold in vast numbers, taking the total number of Type 2s produced to an incredible 4.8 million when production ceased in 1979. The new range included a Panelvan, Microbus, Kombi, Pick-ups and Microbus Deluxe.
1970 Pick-Up
A single-cab pickup was added to the Type 2 range in 1952. The cab section was basically the same as the standard Kombi but from the seat back the layout was heavily revised and featured a completely level bed, 8.5ft long and 5ft wide, with 15 full-length hardwood runners to protect cargo. The drop-sides could be lowered quickly to provide a flat-bed facility for extra wide loads and underneath the load-bed a weatherproof locker gave an additional 20 sq ft of cargo space. An optional canvas top gave added protection, if required.
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