The History of the Volkswagen Bus and Camper

So, I was thinking. What should I write about on our first blog? I have ideas for the other blogs we'll add...one for prospective customers and their frequently asked questions; one for current customers and their entirely different set of frequently asked questions; and then there are our customers that have received their buses...they have an all together different set of questions. Sure, I could just use this blog to link to those, but I wanted it to offer more to everyone.

Then it hit me! Why not write about VW Buses and Campers? The history, the models, the different camper conversion companies...and see where it leads from there. So, that's what I'm going to do, starting now with the history of the VW Bus.

I'm not sure how many of you know this, I sure didn't when I started learning about VW Buses, but Dr. Ferdinand Porsche (yes, that Dr. Porsche) began what was to become Volkswagen as early as 1931! Of course, the Transporter didn't make the scene until 1950.

The Beginning...

After WWII there was a scarcity of trucks in Germany available for business to use - anything available was being used to haul away the debris of war.  This affected the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg felt this just the same as all the other businesses in Germany. So, in 1947, the team at the factory converted a Beetle by adding a flatbed on the chassis and a seat over the rear engine to use on the factory floor. This ingenious design became known as the Plattenwagen. (1)

1950 Models 
Of these early Buses, only two were exported to the US!

Panelvans - the only windows that came standard on this early model were the windshields and the windows in the doors - even the rear window was optional! Usually sold in primer so the purchasing company could have it painted to advertise their business.
Ambulance/Post Office models - based on the standard van, they had a larger rear hatch and smaller engine compartment lid. These early ambulance conversions were produced by the coachbuilders Miesen.
Kombi - the (very) basic passenger bus - it had removable rear seats to allow it to still be used for cargo - these are what we commonly refer to as "11 Window" buses today, except the rear window was optional this first year. Even the interior panels and insulation were "extra"! Available only in Dove Blue!
Microbus - 9 seater - the other bus commonly referred to as an 11 Window bus today, again with the rear window optional this first year. It came with a few "luxury" items, though, such as the tailgate, a walk through cab, and the fresh air vents in the roof. Available only in Grey!

1967 Microbus - Dove Blue and White

1951 Models
In addition to the models offered in 1950, Volkswagen added the following models to it's line up.

Deluxe - This was a luxury model that had 15 windows, including rear curving corner windows, a sliding canvas sunroof, paneling, armrests, chrome trim, and a full-width dash board. The 23 Window version has, along with the 21 Window available beginning in 1964, become known as "the Samba."


Camping Box - These camper conversions were based on the Kombi model. Westfalia was the only company that produced factory authorized campers for Volkswagen. Other companies, including ASI/Riviera, Danbury Motorcaravans, Sun-Dial, Devon, Dormobile, and Viking, among others, came along throughout the history of the VW Campers.


1952 Models

Pick-ups - this was the birth year of the Single Cab truck, a pick up truck with fold down side and rear gates (all three sides of the bed fold down!) and a "treasure box," a locking storage box under the bed.


1953 Models


The Binz Double Cab - This really isn't a Volkswagen model, but a conversion that was done by the Binz company to make a single cab truck a crew cab, or Double Cab.


1954 through 1967
Between the years of 1954 and 1967, Volkswagen made other changes. For example, trading on the success Binz had with the Double Cab conversion, VW began offering the factory built version in 1959. Other changes through out these years had an impact on the design of the Buses, too. In 1964 the rear hatch was widened, which did away with the rear corner windows, turning the 15 Window into a 13 Window and the 23 Window into the 21 Window.

In the next post we'll begin a more in-depth look at each of these Split Window Bus and Camper models.

1966 SO42 Westfalia Camper

~ Cassi



(1) Eccles, D. VW Transporter and Microbus: Specification Guide 1950 - 1967
Notice: Please bring any errors to my attention.