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The VW Transporter is an iconic vehicle that deserves its place in the automobile hall of fame. 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the much-loved Transporter.

What are the highlights of the Transporter’s journey so far, and what’s next for this groundbreaking van?

Before we take a look at the van’s history, have you got the right insurance for your classic Transporter? Lancaster loves VWs, too, and can help you find the right cover for your classic at the right price.

 

T1: Inspired by the Beetle production line

The Transporter story starts in 1946, when a Dutch importer visited the VW Beetle factory and spotted vehicles being used to move parts around.

The importer, named Pon Bon, saw an opportunity and started sketching the vehicle we now know as the Transporter.

Like the VW Beetle, the Transporter has an engine at the back and drives through the rear wheels. The Beetle’s floor pan design was too weak for an increased load, so the first transporter used a ladder frame chassis.

The vehicle went into production in March 1950.

The van was available as an 8-seater bus, a passenger kombi van and a panel van. It was capable of carrying 750kg.

It’s popularity meant that factories sprang up around the globe to meet demand, with the original production site in Wolfsburg, Germany moving to Hannover in 1956, then sites opening in Brazil in 1956, Kassel in Germany in 1957, Australia in 1959, Mexico in 1964 and Emden, Germany in 1964.

By 1964 more than one million VW Transporters had been built and Volkswagen is said to have operated the largest private sea fleet in the world, with 80 ships taking vehicles around the globe.

T2: The hippy years

The Transporter T2 is now a symbol of the hippy movement of the late 1960s.

The flexibility offered by the vehicle for travelling in groups, staying where you please and going where the mood takes you was a firm favourite with the flower-power generation.

The T2 was launched in 1967, with the same wheelbase as the T1 but a longer body and payload capacity of 900kg.

The old split  windscreen was replaced with a single pane to improve visibility, the engine became more powerful and suspension was improved.

A sliding side door was added, along with a pop-up roof for camping.

By 1971, over three million Transporters had been sold and extra factories opened in Brazil, Argentina and Yugoslavia.

For many campervan aficionados, this heyday of the VW Transporter is still a powerful idea. Classic car lovers dream of getting behind the wheel of a VW camper and going to a simpler, sunnier place and time. Of course,

 

T3/T25: More space, more comfort

While the classic T2 might have bags of charm and appeal, the actual experience of travelling in one can be bumpy and uncomfortable.

In 1979, the VW Transporter T3 (commonly referred to as the T25 in the UK) was launched with less cuteness but more modern comfort.

The T3/T25 is more spacious: wider, with more room for both passengers and cargo and better safety.

A flat engine made the vehicle less cramped and a revised chassis made driving more akin to driving a car.

A 1985 revision saw improvements including catalytic converters, turbochargers, and all-wheel drive.

The models California and Caravelle became popular among campers, while the Westfalia Camper could be converted to include a sink, oven, refrigerator and pop-up roof, adding a touch of luxury to the campervan experience.

T4: a technical revolution

The T4, launched in 1990, saw the VW Transporter shift from cheerful pootler to the powerful, sleek vehicle we know today.

The engine moved to its conventional place at the front, with a front-wheel drive layout.

This allowed the engine to become larger and more powerful, while also giving more space in the body of the vehicle.

Buyers could choose between two T4 wheelbases, as well as opting for a tailgate or barn door at the back, plus two sliding doors.

The T4 also saw more choice in models, with a panel van, kombi, double cab, pickup, and the much-loved Caravelle, California and Multivan models.

 

T5 and T6: versatility and modernity

The next Transporter, launched in 2003, offers versatility to suit a more competitive marketplace.

Three different roof heights, two load lengths and a huge range of other variants mean the T5 comes in more than 100 guises.

As more auto manufacturers entered the campervan market, VW decided customisation was key to staying on top.

The T5 California camper also became a fully factory-built campervan, adding to popularity among trippers.

The 2015 T6 built on these changes, improving energy efficiency, tweaking the interior and adding power steering and other safety features in a 2019 refresh.

The VW Transporter T7 is currently under development, with expectations that it will hit the market in 2021.

Industry commentators claim the new van will come with improved digital instruments, a front-quarter window and the usual range of choice for engine strength and wheelbase length.

Classic VW Transporter conversions and restorations

Perhaps the most converted van in the world, the VW Transporter is a popular choice for the growing number of people who want to make their own home on wheels.

Depending on the age and condition of the base vehicle, this can be a labour of love, taking lots of time and money.

VW Transporter conversions range from the most basic stick-a-bed-in-it kind to a full transformation of the vehicle interior.

This might involve adding a pop-up roof to extend sleeping space, kitchen facilities, electronic systems and lighting, heating, cupboards and luxury upholstery.

Converting a VW Transporter can be huge fun. Whether you love tinkering with the engine or styling the interior, this is a hobby that keeps on giving.

Check out social media for a huge range of projects, from futuristic black and red styling to cosy, homely transformations.

There are lots of companies who will do all or part of the conversion for you if it seems too much to take on.

When you hit the road in a VW Transporter, you need reliable insurance.

Contact the experts at Lancaster for a campervan insurance quote today.