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Campervans – Where it all began?

623_campervan
The idea for the camper van came from a Dutch importer who was inspired by trolleys in the VW factory that were built from a stripped Beetle chassis and gear

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25 March 2015

Campervan
The inspiration for the camper van came from trolleys in the VW factory that were built from a stripped Beetle chassis

LONG before modern cargo and passenger vans, Volkswagen’s Type II camper van set the standard for adventure and comfort. While it remains one of the most popular van models, its success goes back to the attempt to create a flexible yet cost effective vehicle in the mid twentieth century. With more than 150,000 vans produced from the early 1950s to 1960s, these iconic models established the camper van as a strong yet flexible means of transportation.

Invention

The idea for the camper van came from a Dutch importer who was inspired by trolleys in the VW factory that were built from a stripped Beetle chassis and gear. In the late 1940s, that importer, Ben Pon, sketched the design for such a van, and, within a few years, those higher up would take notice. Within a few years, the Type II van launched with a rear engine and ‘box on wheels’ design to much success at the Geneva Motor Show in 1949. This simple but reliable vehicle had met a need unrecognized until then – a need for flexible and low cost transportation.

Design

The uncomplicated overall design of the Type II was a true game changer, with great flexibility and remove-able seats. The first few years saw the production of pick-ups, ambulances, delivery vans, fire engines, and unique models like beer wagons and mobile grocers. The first generation came in the Kombi and Panel varieties, but they are generally labeled “Splitties” due to the combination of a split windscreen, swept v-line front, and air-cooled engine in the rear. With its well-known two-tone paint, the classic microbus model was first introduced in 1950. One year later, the Westfalia camper van, so named after the contractor that built it, arrived, bringing many welcome additions, from a chrome trim to a radio, clock, and longer dashboard.

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