VW Bus Models - Part 1 - Split Window Buses

The First Generation Model of the Type 2: The T1

Also called: Splitscreen, Splittie, Splitty, Split Window, Hippy Bus, and others

The true forerunner of today's mini-van, often called the “anti-mini-van” by people that contact us wanting a VW Bus, the Transporter, or T2. Was the second distinct model produced by Volkswagen. The first generation of Split Window bus, the Barndoor, was also referred to by some as the T1a by some and was produced until 1955. From then until 1964, the buses manufactured were referred to by some (the same "some", I assume!) as the T1b and from 1964 to 1967 the T1c.

Kombi – This 11 Window bus was one of the first bus models that Volkswagen produced, beginning in 1950. Unlike the Panel, the Kombi was designed for passenger transport with seating for up to nine people, three in each of three rows. Some Kombis, though, were designed as walk-through buses, with two separate seats up front with a center aisle, allowing access to the rear of the bus. The Kombi came with a very basic set up. The first year or two they didn't even have rear windows from the factory! This was an option you ordered when you bought your bus at the dealership – and THEY had to cut in the rear window, using blue prints and/or specifications they received from Volkswagen.

Named Kombinationskraftwagen, the Kombi was designed as a combination delivery and passenger bus, capable of being quickly converted from one use to the other with just a quick removal of the two rear bench seats.

Often these days the term “Kombi” is considered interchangeable with “Microbus.” Although this isn't really the case, unless a customer special orders a Kombi built to original factory specifications, for all intents and purposes the Kombi and the Microbus are the same at Catch the Bus.

Microbus: The more comfortable version of the 11 Window bus, designed specifically for passenger transport. This model had insulated door and side cargo panels, a headliner, armrests, and a few other “luxury” items.

Catch the Bus 11 Window Volkswagen Bus: Today at Catch the Bus, we don't generally make a distinction between the Kombi and the Microbus. We build them both the same way, regardless of which model they started life as. Our 11 Window VW Buses all come with the front seat, the version of which depends on the bus, a center bench seat that seats two passengers (unfortunately, the three-person center bench seat has become very difficult to find in restorable condition), and a rear bench seat that seats three. The seats are completely refurbished with all new soft materials, including high quality vinyl automotive grade upholstery fabric. Whether the bus originally came from the factory with seat belts or not, all CTB buses leave our shop with seat belts – one for each seating area. In these older buses, it's almost always a two-point lap belt, although a three-point seat belt with a shoulder belt is available. Our buses that require an upright engine all receive a 1600 cc upright air-cooled engine and four speed manual transmission, even if they came from the factory with a 1200 cc engine. It doesn't cost us any more to rebuild the larger engine and these little buses need all the horsepower we can give 'em! The 11 Window CTB bus also comes complete with vinyl front door panels, carpeted side cargo panels, carpeted engine compartment, carpeted seat stands, carpeted passenger area, rubber floor mat in the front cab, stationary rear windows, and two exterior side mirrors. Of course, there are other options that are available to customize these (and pretty much any other) areas of your bus.

13/15 Window Deluxe: The Deluxe model of the VW Bus was designed for transporting passengers in comfort. These buses came with nicer upholstery and a finished interior. They had aesthetic touches, like chrome molding and pop-out side windows. The Deluxe model has an extra pair of windows in the rear engine compartment area of the bus. The early models built prior to 1964 also had rear corner windows that actually wrap around the rear corners! In 1964, with the change in design of the rear hatch that made it wider, the two corner windows were dropped, turning the 15 Window Deluxe Microbus into the 13 Window Deluxe Microbus.

21/23 Window Deluxe: This model is commonly referred to as the Samba. The 23 Window Deluxe Microbus is designed the same as the 15 Window Deluxe Microbus and the 21 Window Deluxe Microbus is designed the same as the 13 Window Deluxe Microbus with the following important difference. The Samba has additional skylight windows installed along the top corner edge of the roof and often has a sliding canvas sunroof.

Catch the Bus Deluxe Microbus: Currently, the Catch the Bus Deluxe model has meant either a 13 or 15 Window Bus with none of the Deluxe features or options included in the base price of the bus. The base price as of today includes the same items as the standard 11 Window Microbus, except, of course, the additional windows. I am currently restructuring our pricing schedule so that this, and other models, will come standard with more of the same items that came standard on them from the factory. The Deluxe Buses also come standard with the 1600 cc upright air-cooled engine and four speed manual transmission.

Panel: This model was designed for commercial use as a delivery transport, a service vehicle such as for a plumber or electrician, and the like. It has no side rear windows, just two front windows, a window in each door, and, if ordered, a rear window. Over the years and, in fact still today, the Panel is very popular for use as advertising for businesses. In fact, when they left the factory they often did so in primer, ready to have the finishing touches put on by professional sign painters and the like. Today, a logo'd Panel with the original paint (Patina) and original commercial logos is a rare find and can be worth a small fortune. They are true works of art!

Catch the Bus Panel Bus: This model is available either with or without the rear bench seats, your choice, although our standard Panel comes as it did from the factory with no rear bench seats. We do, however, include vinyl door panels, high quality automotive grade vinyl seat upholstery, and the front rubber floor mat. As with the 11 Window Bus, the possibilities are just about endless when designing your Panel. Along with the rear bench seats, we can design and install custom seating, a small kitchen, a competition sound system, or any number of specialized interiors. The sky's the limit! The Panel Buses also come standard with the 1600 cc upright air-cooled engine and four speed manual transmission.

Ambulance: A very special model of VW Bus that was, of course, outfitted for use as an ambulance. From the down-folding rear hatch, specially designed stretcher platform, cabinets to hold medical supplies, grab bars to keep the ambulance staff upright during the “fast” trip to the hospital, the VW Bus made for a very functional ambulance. Today, the Ambulance is a highly sought after model. If you find an Ambulance, be sure to check the information available, especially the M-Code Plate, to be sure you are getting a true Ambulance, if the authenticity of it is important to you (some people don't care if the bus started life as the model they want as long as it has the features they want now – good news for CTB!). I've heard of people representing a model of bus such as the ambulance as an original when in fact it was just a very good reproduction, so buyer beware!

Catch the Bus Ambulance: Since this is such a rare model, we have not yet restored one. We welcome the opportunity to do so!

Pick-Ups: There are two models of VW Pick-Ups; the Single Cab and the Double Cab. The Single Cab was the first model of Pick-Up manufactured by Volkswagen, with the Volkswagen version of the Double Cab (see “Binz” below under “Terms You Need to Know”) entering the scene in 1957. Each of these great VW Bus models (if you can call them that – they seem to generally be considered a model or models of VW Buses my most) come with flat rear cargo beds surrounded on three sides by drop gates – the side and rear box panels all fold down, allowing access to the bed from either side and the rear, unlike other trucks which only have access to the bed from the rear drop down gate. The Pick-Ups also come with a great little feature, called a treasure box, that works somewhat like a trunk. It's an actual box mounted under the bed of the Pick-Up that provides locked storage. The Single Cab comes with one front bench seat that seats three, where as the Double Cab has an additional rear seat accessed by as side door located on the passenger side of the front cab of the pickup. Some Pick-Ups came with a metal hoop frame covered with canvas on the rear bed of the Pick-Up – it sorta looks like a covered wagon!

Catch the Bus Single Cab and Double Cab: A CTB Pick-Up comes pretty much the same way it did from the factory, since there aren't many other ways to build it and stay true to the original design. Items such as the "covered wagon" frame and canvas would be considered additional. The Pick-ups also come standard with the 1600 cc upright air-cooled engine and four speed manual transmission.

Terms You Need to Know:

Barndoor: the T1a model of the Type 2 Transporter. These very early buses had a very large rear engine cover and no rear hatch. Here you can see an example of a Barndoor Bus' Rear Engine Cover (if the link doesn't work, copy and paste this into your browser: http://www.vintagebus.com/techinfo/example-bd-2.jpg )

Walk-through: A walk-through bus has two separate front seats with a center aisle between them allowing the driver and front passenger to access the rear of the bus without having to get out and get back in through the side cargo doors. This term is often confused with the Double Door bus model. See Double Door below for more information.

Bulkhead: A bus that has a front bench seat with a metal divider between the front cab and the rear passenger/cargo area of the bus.

Double Door: A model of bus that comes with two sets of cargo doors, one set on the driver's (left) side and one on the passenger (right) side of the bus. Some get confused and think that the term “double door” refers to the double side cargo doors on the older buses, since there are two side doors on these as opposed to the single sliding door on the bay window models (and available on a few of the split window buses, although I've not yet seen one – if you see one, send me a picture, please!).

60/40: In the bulkhead buses, generally the front bench seat is designed with a 60/40 split. The driver seat section accounts for about 40% of the width of the bus and is separate from the passenger section. The passenger section, of course, accounts for the other 60%. To my eye, this actually seems to be more of a 1/3 – 2/3 split, but since I haven't measured it to be certain, that's just one girl's opinion.

Semaphores: The first turn indicators used by Volkswagen. When the driver activated the semaphore, it signaled a turn by lifting a small metal flag outside the bus. There was a small light inside on the dash that came on to indicate the semaphores were activated, but it didn't flash or blink.

Safaris or Safari Windows: Front windows that open to allow for airflow from the front of the bus. These were a factory option. The windows hinge up and have modified windshield wipers. Some aftermarket Safari window manufacturers now offer rear Safari windows, too! If you have Safari windows on your bus, be sure to check with your local authorities to make sure that it's legal to drive with them open. Be aware of safety issues, too, when making the decision to drive with your Safaris open, regardless of the legal issues.

Pop-Out Windows: Side windows that “pop” open to allow air flow in the rear passenger compartment of the bus.

Louvered Windows: Also known as Jalousie Windows. These are windows often installed on VW Campers. They are built with parallel slats of glass or plexiglass on a frame. They are linked together so that when they are cranked open to allow airflow, all of the slats move in unison.

Jail Bars: Also known as luggage bars. The jail bars are a set of chrome strips installed on the inside of the rear window and side rear windows designed to protect the glass from damage caused by luggage moving around in the rear of the bus. Often installed as part of the jail bar kit is a bar on the top of the rear seat that protects the rear passengers from the luggage (or other items stored in the rear engine compartment area of the bus). They are commonly called jail bars because of the way they look like bars in a jail, especially from the outside of the bus.

Logo'd: When buses were first manufactured the main focus was on the commercial customer. Many of the original buses were taken directly from the place of purchase to a paint specialist or sign painter to have the purchasing company's logo painted on the bus. Today, some of these logo'd buses still exist with the original paint (Patina) and original logos still in comparatively good shape. They are works of art and can command quite a bit as such. Even individual panels are prized by some collectors. Here is a link to a site that has lots of pictures of Logo'd buses (Thanks Ted!) http://www.cartype.com/pages/365/volkswagen_split-window_logo_buses

Patina: Occasionally one can find a bus that has the original paint still intact and in relatively good shape, with very little if any rust on the metal of the bus. This original paint is referred to as Patina and, to some collectors, makes a bus worth much more than the average price of a similar model that needs new paint.

Binz: A conversion company that took the first model of the Single Cab and added a section to the cab of the Pick Up along with a rear seat, creating the first Double Cabs. You can tell a Binz Double Cab from a VW produced Double Cab by the model year (VW didn't produce Double Cabs until 1957) or by the “suicide” rear passenger door.

Any errors or omissions are strictly my own. I welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. 

Soon, I'll post some pictures of the different models, so keep an eye out.

I think instead of posting about the various Camper conversions or the Bay Window Models next, we'll have another history lesson. Next up...the Chicken Tax! (Amber's current favorite subject.)