The Vw Bus: A Lengthy History Of A Classic Vehicle

The Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus, introduced in 1950, is an iconic van with a distinctive, boxy design and a rear-engine layout. It has a total length of 14.5 feet (428 cm), an overall width of 5.8 feet (172 cm), and a height of 6.4 feet (194 cm). The wheelbase of the Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus is 7.1 feet (2.4 m), and it has a curb weight of 2,310 pounds (1,047 kg).

The VW Bus is 14.5 ft long

The VW Bus, also known as the Volkswagen Type 2, is an iconic vehicle with a rich history. Introduced in the 1950s, it is known for its counterculture associations and its role in shaping the automotive industry. With a length of 14.5 feet (4.28 metres), the VW Bus offers a unique driving experience and has become a symbol of freedom and adventure.

The VW Bus has a distinctive design, featuring a rear-engine layout that maximises interior space for passengers and cargo. Its boxy shape, combined with its utilitarian build, makes it highly versatile and customisable. This versatility is further enhanced by its versatile seating configurations, making it ideal for various purposes, from family trips to outdoor adventures.

The VW Bus is more than just a vehicle; it represents an era of exploration and laid-back living. Its reliability and easy maintenance have made it a favourite among vintage car enthusiasts and collectors alike. The first VW Bus, known as the Type 1 or the Beetle, was produced in 1933 by Volkswagen, a German car manufacturer. The Type 2, introduced in 1950, built upon the success of its predecessor and revolutionised the automotive industry.

The VW Bus has a special place in American history, particularly during the social revolution of the 1960s. It became a symbol of protest against mainstream culture and a way for people to express their rejection of commercialism and societal norms. Its unique design, with its boxy appearance, made it stand out from anything produced by the major US auto manufacturers, solidifying its status as an icon of counterculture.

Today, the VW Bus continues to captivate people with its classic style and cultural significance. With a length of 14.5 feet, it offers a spacious and practical driving experience, making it a beloved choice for those seeking a combination of freedom, adventure, and individuality on the road.

It's also known as the VW Type 2

The Volkswagen Type 2, introduced in 1950, is a forward-control light commercial vehicle and was Volkswagen's second car model. It is also known as the Transporter, Kombi, Microbus, Station Wagon, Bus, Camper, or Bulli, depending on the body type and region.

The Type 2 was designed by Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon, who visited the Volkswagen plant in 1946 and sketched what would become the Type 2 after seeing some Plattenwagens (modified flatbeds with small driver's cabs). The first production model, designated Type 2, rolled off the assembly line on November 12, 1950, with only two models: the Kombi and the Commercial.

The Type 2 was one of the first 'forward control' vans, where the driver was placed above the front road wheels, and it set a trend in Europe and the US for similar vehicles. It was also among the forerunners of modern cargo and passenger vans, with its rear-mounted engine providing advantages in traction and interior noise.

The Type 2 has been produced in six generations: T1 (1950-1975), T2 (1967-1979), T3 (1979-1992), T4 (1990-2003), T5 (2003-2015), and T6 (2015-2021). Starting with the T4 generation, it became known as the Transporter or Eurovan.

The Type 2 earned many nicknames worldwide, including VW-Bus, Bulli/Bully, Hippie-van, Kombi, Samba, Transporter, Vanagon, Eurovan, and Microbus. Its popularity with the counterculture movement of the 1960s led to its iconic status as the "Hippie van/bus", often painted with bright, extravagant designs.

The Type 2 was produced in various body styles, including single or double cab pickup trucks, Westfalia camper vans, Kombi (passenger and cargo), panel van, and buses.

The last factory producing the T2 series of Type 2 ceased operations in Brazil on December 31, 2013, due to stricter safety regulations, marking the end of the rear-engine Volkswagen era.

It was designed by Ben Pon

The Volkswagen Type 2, also known as the VW Bus, was designed by Ben Pon, a Dutch businessman and Volkswagen importer. In 1947, Pon's dealership, Pon's Automobielhandel, became the first outside of Germany to sell vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen.

Ben Pon's father, Mijndert Pon, owned a shop in Amersfoort, Netherlands, that sold sewing machines, household articles, and tobacco goods. Mijndert later added Opel bicycles and motorized bicycles to his inventory. In 1920, he began selling Opel and Ford automobiles, as well as Continental tires. Ben Pon and his brother, Wijnand, took over the shop in 1931 and renamed it Pon's Automobielhandel.

On August 8, 1947, the Pons became Volkswagen's general importer for the Netherlands. In their first year, they received 51 Volkswagen Beetles from Wolfsburg. The company also became an importer of Porsches in 1948.

Ben Pon is credited with the concept for the Type 2, which he sketched during a visit to the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, in 1946. Inspired by the plattenwagens (modified flatbeds with small driver's cabs) being used in the factory, Pon envisioned a vehicle that could be derived from the Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle). He made his first sketch of the van on April 23, 1947, proposing a payload of 1,500 pounds and placing the driver at the front. This sketch, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, served as the basis for the development of the Type 2.

While Volkswagen was initially focused on producing the Type 1, they began working on Pon's concept as soon as capacity allowed. A prototype, known as the Type 29, was produced within three months. However, the stock Type 1 pan proved too weak, so the prototype used a ladder chassis with unit body construction. Despite initial challenges with aerodynamics, engineers optimized the design using wind tunnel tests, making changes such as splitting the windshield and roofline into a "vee."

Volkswagen's CEO, Heinz Nordhoff, approved the van for production on May 19, 1949, and the first production model, designated Type 2, debuted on November 12, 1949. Only two models were initially offered: the Kombi and the Commercial. The Microbus was added in May 1950, followed by the Deluxe Microbus in June 1951. In its first year of production, 9,541 Type 2s were produced.

The Type 2 went on to become a cultural icon, particularly associated with the hippie movement of the 1960s. Its design influenced forward-control competitors in the United States and Europe and inspired similar vehicles from other manufacturers.

It was produced from 1950-2013

The Volkswagen Bus, officially known as the Transporter, was produced from 1950 to 2013.

The first generation of the Volkswagen Bus, known as the T1, was produced from 1950 to 1967. The T1 was offered in eight different Type-2 models, including the Kombi, which featured removable seats, and the Commercial, a dedicated cargo van. The T1 was popular among buyers due to its customizability and roomy interior, which could fit up to nine passengers.

The second generation, known as the T2, was produced from 1967 to 1979. The T2 featured a single wraparound windshield instead of the split windshield of the T1, and it was heavier and larger than its predecessor.

The third generation, or T3, was produced from 1979 to 1992. The T3 initially featured an air-cooled engine, but later models replaced these with water-cooled engines.

The fourth generation, or T4, was produced from 1990 to 2003. This generation marked a significant change as it switched from a rear-mounted engine to a front-mounted one, giving the bus a longer hood.

The fifth generation ran from 2003 to 2015, and the sixth generation began in 2015 and is still ongoing.

It's worth noting that the T2 series continued to be produced in Brazil until 2013, even after the introduction of newer generations. The Brazilian T2s featured some design modifications, such as a 1968-79 T2-style front end and larger taillights. However, they retained some characteristics of the earlier T1 models, such as the cargo doors and five-stud rims.

The Volkswagen Bus has undergone several generations of revisions and modifications, but its iconic status and popularity have endured, with a dedicated community of enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.

It's 6 ft 4 inches tall

The Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus, introduced in 1950, is an iconic van with a distinctive, boxy design and a rear-engine layout. It stands at 6 ft 4 inches tall, with a total length of 14 ft 5 inches and an overall width of 5 ft 8 inches.

The VW Bus, as it is commonly known, is a symbol of freedom and adventure, beloved for its reliability and easy maintenance. Its height, along with its utilitarian build and rear-engine layout, maximises interior space for passengers and cargo. This has made it a favourite for outdoor enthusiasts who outfit it with beds, sinks, and other amenities, turning it into a camper van.

The VW Bus has a rich history, starting as a sketch by Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon in 1947. It was an offshoot of the VW Beetle, and the first van of its kind, revolutionising the automobile industry. Over the years, it has been known by many names, including the Kombi, Samba, Transporter, Vanagon, Eurovan, and Microbus.

The VW Bus became a symbol of counterculture in the 1960s, associated with the freewheeling, anti-establishment attitude of the time. Its boxy appearance, unlike anything produced by major American auto manufacturers, made it a perfect canvas for peace signs and flower power, earning it the nickname "hippie bus".

Today, the VW Bus remains a classic favourite among vintage car enthusiasts, with its legacy enduring as a cultural icon of an era of exploration and laid-back living.

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