Volkswagen means the “people’s car.” The first VW cars were built in Germany in the 1930’s after a collaboration between Adolf Hitler and Ferdinand Porsche. Hitler had a dream that cars could be available to a large percentage of the population – hence “Volkswagen.” He wanted Porsche to design this car and set out criteria he wanted him to meet. The car had to be big enough to carry 5 people, travel at 62mph and have a fuel consumption of 33 mpg. Using this criterion, engineers designed the first cars. The name “beetle” was not used until the 1950’s and then became more common in the 1960’s.
The Volkswagen camper van was developed from a vehicle which was used to carry materials around the VW factory. This, trolley like vehicle, was built on a stripped down beetle chassis. A Dutch car salesman called Ben Pon saw this vehicle and it gave him the idea for a box shaped van. However, it wasn’t until a German engineer, Heinz Nordhoff, who was the Chief executive of the factory, took on the idea that the first prototype vans were produced.
The VW van was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1949 and the first vans came off the production line on March 8th 1950. From a slow start of only 10 vans rolling off the production line each day, the van has captured the imagination of the world.
The VW camper van has gone through many changes and developments but the iconic Transporter 1, which was the result of many alterations and design changes, steals the show in looks and in dreams.
The first T1 to roll off the conveyor belt was known as the Bulli (meaning ‘Workhorse’). It was not initially very popular but interest in it grew quickly so that by 1955 a new factory was built to produce vans. The split screen buses, known by the term “splitties” were produced until 1967.
One of the things people love about the VW camper van is that is can be made into a “home from home” and can be personalised.
The Books
