Volkswagen Minibus T1 / T2 (1950–1979)

De Volkswagen minibus was built between 1950 and 1979 and would grow into an icon of the sixties that stood for freedom and independence. The bus was a precursor to modern cargo and passenger vans and the van received, just like the kever, many nicknames such as the 'microbus', 'minibus', and 'Hippie Van'. Over the years, the bus came in versions T1, T2, T3, and T4, and naturally, there is now also an electric variant.

1954 VW T1 bus with the upward-opening windshields.

History and background of the Volkswagen bus

The story began shortly after the Second World War within Volkswagen's destroyed Wolfsburg factories. In 1947, during a factory visit, Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon sketched a simple cargo transporter after seeing improvised parts transport vehicles built on Beetle chassis.

Volkswagen engineers refined the idea into the Type 2 — so named because the Beetle had already been internally designated as “Type 1”. On November 12, 1949, Volkswagen presented the Transporter to journalists for the first time, but production did not start until March 8, 1950. The formula was brilliantly simple: rear-mounted air-cooled flat-four engine, rear-wheel drive, cab-forward design, and enormous interior space.

Unlike other rear-mounted Volkswagens, which constantly evolved but never saw entirely new models, the Transporter was periodically completely revised — with variants retrospectively designated as “T1” to “T5”. In August 1967, the “Bay Window” replaced the “Split Screen” — a radical revision in which virtually every body panel and mechanical part was changed.

Volkswagen T1

Design and interior

The earliest T1s are instantly recognizable by their distinctive two-piece windshield, which earned them the nickname “Split Window Bus”. Buggies built until 1955 are retrospectively referred to as the T1a or “barndoor”, due to the large rear engine cover.

The T2 lost the distinctive split windscreen and was slightly larger and considerably heavier than its predecessor. The changes included ball-joint front suspension instead of king-and-link pin, independent rear suspension instead of reduction gears and swing arms, a one-piece windscreen, and folding cab windows. The top of the factory range was the Samba bus, with up to 23 windows depending on the year.

The T2a (“Early Bay”, 1967–1971) retained the air-cooled flat-four engine but offered better visibility and slightly more interior space. The T2b (“Late Bay”, 1972–1979) introduced significant safety and emissions improvements, including larger bumpers, dual-circuit brakes, and — for North America — mandatory side marker lights.

1965 Volkswagen Samba bus

Model variants

The Volkswagen Minibus came in a surprisingly wide range of variants. There was the Transporter (van), the Kombi (with windows and benches), the Microbus (more luxury and comfort), the Pick-up (with an open cargo bed), and of course the Westfalia Camper. In later generations, special editions were added, such as the Samba with its panoramic windows and chrome accents, and the Caravelle for those who desired a bit more comfort than hippies in sandals were accustomed to.

Model variants

T1 Barndoor (1950–1955) — earliest version:

9.541 Type 2s produced in the first year. 1,1-liter engine with 25 hp, carried over from the Beetle drivetrain. Microbus added in May 1950, Deluxe Microbus in June 1951.

T1 with 1200/1500 engine (1953–1967) — evolution:

1953: larger 1.192cc engine, 30 hp. 1959: fully synchromesh gearbox and engine upgraded to 1.285cc/40 hp. 1963: new 1500 engine with 1.493cc and 51 hp DIN. 1967: switch from 6-volt to 12-volt electrical system — the last German production year.

1958 Volkswagen Type 1 with low-mounted turn signals

In 1972, VW implemented a number of changes to the T2 due to stricter safety regulations. Among other things, the van was fitted with a new front bumper, the turn signals were moved to the top of the front panel, and the T2B received disc brakes and consequently flatter hubcaps. In 1972, there was also a transitional model designated as the T2A/B. Starting with the T2, a version with a Westfalia roof was also released, as well as a variant named the “Amescador” with a different interior and a tent at the rear.

VW Amescador

VW with Westfalia roof

T2a “Early Bay” (1967–1971) — first generation Bay Window:

A one-piece curved windshield replaced the split windshield of the T1. 1,6-liter air-cooled flat-four with 47-50 hp DIN. Ball-joint front suspension and independent rear suspension with half-axles and constant velocity joints replaced the Beetle-based swing-axle construction.

T2b “Late Bay” (1972–1979) — facelifted version:

From 1971, front disc brakes and a more powerful 1,6-liter engine. For the 1973 model year: relocated turn signals, square bumpers with a crumple zone for improved crash safety. Later Type 4 engines available in 1,7-, 1,8-, and 2,0-liter versions. Automatic transmission, electronic ignition, and fuel injection (US models from 1975) were introduced. By 1974, the T2 had reached its final form.

Volkswagen Type 2 from 1974

T2c 4WD prototypes (late 70s) — experimental variant:

Very late in the development of the T2, the first prototypes of Type 2 vans with four-wheel drive (4WD) were built and tested, designated as T2c.

Volkswagen Samba

Towards production, it is not difficult to believe that the aerodynamics of the first prototypes left something to be desired, but with the help of the wind tunnel, the design was optimized, among other things by splitting the windshield and roofline into a V-shape. In 1949, the Volkswagen Type 2 bus went into production and two models were built: the Kombi (with two side windows and middle and rear seats that could be easily removed) and the Commercial. In 1950, the Microbus was added to the lineup, along with the Deluxe Microbus in June 1951.

Interior of a 1965 Volkswagen T2 bus

Competitors

As one of the forerunners of modern cargo and passenger vans, the Type 2 spawned forward-control competitors in the United States, including the Ford Econoline, the Dodge A100, and the Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan — the latter adopting the rear-mounted configuration. European competition included the Renault Estafette and the Ford Transit. However, the Citroën H Van preceded the VW by three years.

• Citroën H Van (introduced three years earlier)
• Ford Transit (from 1965)
• Renault Relay
• Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan (adopted the RR layout)

Successor model

The T2 was replaced in Europe and the US in 1979 by the T3 Transport — the first generation with optional water cooling and four-wheel drive. In Brazil and Mexico, however, the T2 remained in production for decades, with Brazilian production not ending until late 2013, followed by a final batch of campers for the British importer Danbury in early 2014.