@Brad Jennings ... +1 very cool. . Fond memories! .. Around the same time my first car was a hand-me-down '71 Datsun 510 4dr in OEM burnt orange. . That Datsun had small dents at every corner .... Fond memories!
In 1991 I had been driving by a '69 bus parked under an apple tree covered by a slight layer of neglect. So, knocked at the door and the old people sold it to me for $100. After a few checks and points cleaning, it fired right up. I drove it for about 4 years. Loved it!!
Omg u def lucked out for being born that time 😭 this is my DREAMMM car. And now it’s anywhere from 50-100k! I’ll have to work A L O T to finally get this car
Back in the 70's I rebuilt the engine in my camper bus specifically to not break and be reliable. Big oil pump, oil cooler, torque cam, Aline bored the block, the biggest piston and cylinders you could buy for the air cooled engines-1800cc, new rods, bearings, refurbished cylinder heads, the works. I didn't have enough money to go for dual port heads, but would put them on when I got a chance. One early Sunday morning after the rebuild I was cruising up the local freeway enjoying the power of the new unit. The speedometers in the old ones only went to 80mph so I thought I'd top out the speedometer. I was doing 80 and cruising along just fine with a big smile on my face when I came over a rise and straight through a Highway Patrol radar speed trap. Zoom! Straight through. I didn't even have time to slow down. Looking in the mirrors I saw that I didn't need to slow down cause the troopers weren't even looking at me. So I kept going. Just in case I did slow down to the speed limit (55mph) but nothing happened. I laughed thinking about the troopers calling to each other on their radios- "Hey Charlie, did you see a VW camper bus go though here doing 80? Forget about it Bob, it didn't happen." I didn't get one ticket in that bus. It seemed invisible to LEO'S . Loved that thing.
When I got pulled over for speeding the officer asked me if I knew how fast I was going . I told him I just hold it on the floor and never look at the speedometer . He let me go .
My Dad bought s 61 VW bus new. Junker gutless. 45 to 50 mph max up hills. Engine blew up at 20 some thousand miles. Dad traded it for a ford station wagon.
My dad had a friend at the VW dealership in Amarillo TX. They had a 69 squareback that was new on the lot during a Texas golf ball sized hail storm in 69. There was a dent every inch on the body, otherwise it was new. They put 3300 miles on it in 3 years. It mostly stayed in the owner's garage. In 1972 I flew back to Amarillo and bought it for $800. It was green, and with the dents, we called it the pickle. One of the best cars I ever owned. I drove it back to L.A. and drove it for years. I kinda liked the dents, they grow on you.
Being 70, lifelong learning, understanding, observation, experience, re-examination 24/7 365. This gem was undoubtedly the first 'crowd-funded' enterprise. I owned a VW 7 seater when I had my band on the road. My age and health is my problem now and I haven't drove for the last ten years, but who knows. Lovely vehicles
It must be mentioned that Ben Pon, first VW dealer outside of Germany designed and built the very first VW T1 bus, and was the guy responsible for VW beetle export to the US, the first beetle to touch American soil was shipped there by Pon, later Pon VW -Porsche.
Had a 1965 split screen Devon camper for many years and it never once broke down. Travelled all over Europe many times. OK it was a bit slow but you get to appreciate your surroundings more.
I lived for ten years in my 1971 Westy, winters in Baja, summers in the Northwest, spring an fall in California. Had one flat tire and toasted a generator. Did all my own maintenance. It flies over washboard dirt roads. Best vehicle ever.
Had 1966 split for about 8 to9 years i shared the camper with a mate we both had a family the worst thing was we sold the van because i had family problems i keep looking for the van its on sorn somewhere but dont know where CXS391D watching this youtube just brought all the memories back was great.
I'm glad I was able to drive these mobile camps before they became worth your house. My brother and I spent years exploring the deserts of Utah before either one became popular. We had and restored '68, 69, '72, '78, and '79 Westfalia's, plus one 1980 Vanagon Westfalia. From Alaska to Mexico and everywhere in between. I can still visualize an exploded view of every nut, bolt, or spring.
@@alribee The '69. It had the best look and functionality. The 1600 engine was the best so long as you're highway driving it and cooling it properly in cities. The camper part made the most sense to me too; one cot up top. The '68 was just as good, but mine was not as nice as my '69. Plus... There is a certain reaction you get when someone asks the year and you answer: "69." You can choose to answer "1969" for this reason, but it can be fun.
My family travelled in a lovely late bay for many years during my childhood. My dad customised the inside himself, installing a second radio with dedicated headphone ports running all along the right hand sill in the back so us kids could listen to our horrible pop music whilst mum and dad could listen to theirs up front :) Fridge, swing out cooker, pop-top with two hammocks etc. Just the most wonderful memories of that old thing. Started my love affair with VW campers forever more.
Love the busses keep them going. Nice video thanks I like 1949 to 1971 busses best owned many of them. Drove them daily for 20 years. Lived in the 66 bus summer of 1996, 1999, & 2000. It has been across the county twice so far many Dead shows & festivals, Red rocks, The Gorge etc.... There is no better vehicle unless you like comfort & speed. I always say "you can drive your Porsche 120 MPH or your VW Bus 65 MPH you get the same thrill!"
Loved the "History of the VW Camper", I'm an old VW Mechanic trained in Culver City, CA. after returning from Vietnam as a Helicopter Mechanic/Crew Chief. I owned a '66 VW Type 2 Westfalia Camper that I picked up in VA & took to NM. I also owned a '64 Type 2, a '61 Convertible Beetle & a '60 Karmen Ghia all at the same time. Sure wish I still had them. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I don't. The History made me reflect back on those days & I learned more than I ever knew. I used to work at a VW salvage yard in Albuquerque during the early 70's & remember we had a Type 2, right-hand drive, cargo doors on both sides, no dash just the speedo, it was very cool. We built a few dune buggies from what we could salvage & had a blast in the desert. Thanks for the video & the memories !! G. McDermott
Fascinating comprehensive look at the history and lineage of the VW camper van/transporter. I grew up in the rare American counterpart - a 1964 Travelwagon on a Ford Econoline van
I have had a 1958 and 59 transporter pickup truck, a 1958 camper van, I loved the stock blaupunkt radio in the camper van, and I think the interior wood work was Walnut. Sometimes it got interesting going over Snoqualmie pass having to pull off to the shoulder put it in first year and up the shoulder of the road till I get up to 40 miles an hour again, sometimes a heavy rainstorm made the windshield leak, then there were times during the winter I was convinced that thing had no heat at all, and I learned all about 6 volt electrical, the one thing I can say about the VW electrical system, it wasn't as faulty as the Lucas electrical system in the triumphs, I had, I liked 68-69 Gt sixes, and I had a book I called the the bible, a white paper back by the title of how to keep your Volkswagen alive a step-by-step procedural manual for total idiot's. And then I did something stupid like getting married and the wife did not like the transporters, I should have kept the Volkswagens, turns out they were more reliable than she was.
Mike, many years ago you took a chance on hiring my son, Joseph S. You instilled in him work ethics and professionalism that still serve him well today. The reason I shop at Dunn Lumber is because the expertise behind the counter, quality of lumber and products on your shelves.
My parents went to Germany around 77’ to visit family, went to the VW factory and watched their VW fast back being built then travelled through out Europe . After, they had the car shipped to Southern California and after a few years sold it .
I like all the history in this video. I like the bit about the long distance speed and top speed, I had a 1974 . One day I had to get somewhere fast, like all engines,they have a sign to look out for, the VW air cooled engines was that they cough and splatter in long over distance over speeds. Take your time and enjoy the drive I should of.
My father Bob Taylor, ran Danbury Conversions in Essex until the late 60's when the family migrated to Australia. We had converted Kombis for years and I have very fond memories of them. When we came to Australia he ended up selling the patents to someone called Soporu I believe.
Great documentary - I live in the UK and have owned 3 bay window Type 2's in the past. I loved them, but they were always cold and almost impossible to blow warm air to the windscreen. The warm air from the engine in the back just got cold again by the time it reached the front of the van. Air cooled engines do sound great, but never provided enough warm air into the van from the heat exchangers over the exhaust system. I also remember when a heat exchanger failed, it blew carbon monoxide exhaust fumes into the van as warm air? - Not good. I own a water cooled T4 Westfalia today, so not put off VW camper love - But the water cooled engine is a safer warmer option 🤓
Realised how very little I know/knew about the history (thought I knew it all).. Oh please let me win the lotto, for I shall put the money into good use, creating a home for one of these beautys.
Good morning with the two CV mini box van, the most fun vehicle I've ever driven. Sitting in front of the front wheels with the vent open blasting air into the vehicle. Fun practical affordable what happened to them,
I have always been struck by the first bus design elements that mimic a B17, the split sloping windscreen and the slider windows. Is it just a coincidence that a B17 crash landed at the factory in 1945 and remained there for quite sometime?
Lived in my 1971 bus from 2017-2019. Amazing years of my life. The bus is 52 years old and I've owned it for 7 years now. What year was this doc made??
The Twentieth Century brought me a ton of joy with my collection of Volkswagens___~102 Cars from '81 to 2005. Now waiting on the first of a New Chapter for the 21st Century ___ eagerly awaiting CYBRTRK
In 1967 I was stationed near Kassel (about 2 hours from Wolfsburg) where the VW power train plan was located. I had a 57 bus, the fastest 1100 I ever saw. It would run 47mph. But the brakes weren't really up to that extreme speed and the handling wasn't up to the brakes. I've been told that a gen 1 can be rolled in a level parking lot at 12mph and I believe it. The police in Kassel used Type 2s and I was discussing that with one of them once. He told me that the average engine life for their vans was 3 months. That didn't bother them because they had a deal with the local engine plant to replace the engines for no charge. You should understand the original purpose of the Type 2. It was intended for light city delivery in Germany where the speed limit was 30mph. Much as the Toyota mid engine van was intended for city delivery in Tokyo. Both were suited to their intended purpose and not well suited for some others such as high speed use for long distances. The Type 2 did inspire the Ford Econoline, the Corvair van and later the Dodge A100. And it was the direct target of the "chicken tax" imposed on imported fully assembled light trucks.
I was born in Brazil 🇧🇷, I used to see VW Kombis EVERYWHERE, you guys don’t understand EVERYWHERE, there was no way to look anywhere and not see a VW bus , I used to think it was the most uncool vehicle ever , I would never thought anything of it apart that in Brazil it everywhere, not until I came to Australia 🇦🇺 in the late 90’s and living in Bondi beach I saw the culture and I start to get how many people loved then and used to tell me they dreamed having one , there was still cheap back then , then they started to pickup on prices , I used to tell my friends in Brazil man buy kombi, they will worth a lot cash , they thought I was crazy nobody took me seriously, no matter how much I’ve tried nobody thought I was serious, man what ? VW Kombi are you out of your head ?? We don’t own bakery or work on the street markets so they said , I gave up , then I saw them clicking over 100 k in USA 🇺🇸 again l tried to warn my friends, please buy Kombi Van they will worth big money , nobody cared , now I regret me not buying one as well and now I think they are one the most beautiful most bold and iconic vehicles, every time I see the Samba bus ones l go nuts , this vehicle brings right back to my childhood in Brazil seeing them everywhere, now they look million bucks , they sure stand the test of time , killer design, synonymous of perfect combination os simplicity and coolness to the maximum degree ! Every time I see one I go crazy and I’ve seen millions at this moment of my life ! South Australia 🇦🇺
We called them VW buses…even the ones converted to camper vans. In 1984 we almost bought a 70s something bus, I liked it, all those windows, it was red but it was a VW bus & we needed a reliable vehicle for our 3 kiddos so we bought a 84 Pontiac 2000.
+1 .. Recently (Oct./'22) at a Denver, Colorado shop specializing in VW van campers,,, a Vanagon had an engine transplant using the newest Subaru 2.4l turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from a donor 2021 Outback XT Touring model. . At 265/270 HP/torque the Vanagon will have the much-needed enhanced performance... The sleeper VW Vanagon was a '90 or '91 camper model in a grey metallic finish...
I've owned a few of those and the biggest problem I had was the lack of power. Except my 85 vanagon(Wich was nothing but problems) so I had the engines hopped up and replaced more than doubling the horsepower. But I sure do miss owning those cool Vans.
Unfortunately this production skipped over the 11 year period of the Vanagon. This body style was arguably the best overall camper van of them all. I’ve owned 9 Westfalia vans and the Vanagon is the best design.
@@vyoufinder another big problem with all the air cooled Vanagons we VW used the same thrust bearing in the air cooled Vanagon transaxle as they used in the bus. The vanagon was much heavier then the bus so premature transmission failure was the result. They changed this with the water boxer vanagons
Check out the moorings in Marathon FL. Gotta get the "off season" to get a mooring. You can't have too many 12 vt fans. Schedule work day with the sun. It can kill you if you don't mind the heat. Lived on a 31 Southern Cross till hurricane Irma too her out. Good luck. I'm in a reverse process in that I now have unlimited hot water and don't have to get up at 3 am to work out. Who moves from FL to NJ? Yes I did and am rediscovering an event called seasons😊
Ref your assertion at 2:21, I like to correct you. The truth is that the Transporter 1 is the idea of the Dutch VW dealer who was in need of a flat bed vehicle. He built exactly what he needed, not more, not less, i.e. a platform, a seat and steering and the engine at the end like on the Beetle, the flat bed up front. Later on, he put the seat and the steering wheel up front and presented his invention to VW who accepted it and started building the Transporter/Bulli/Combi/... At least that is how the legend goes
“You don’t need to be a hippie to own a Volkswagen campervan. VW camper soon became just as well known for its funky yet functional design, as well as a fashion statement.” ― Auto Classics Trade
True; you don't need to be a hippy to own one, but as soon as you do, you're a "hippy" as far as North Americans are concerned. Welcome to the commune.
My mom & dad bought a brand new red volks wagon bus in 1969...then, when I was in high school, my 1st boyfriend...DAVID S. had a red volks wagon bus..I don't know what yr, that we ran around in...secretly went to MAGIC MOUNTAIN (1980)...and 1 night after being at the drive in movies....we totally destroyed our beloved bus...crashed..annihilated, so sad...it was no more...but we lived.....crazy teen agers!!!!
.... my younger days (long-long-ago) the colloquial denomination was "mobile fornicatorium" and that was in the Union of South Africa and mandate South-West-Africa :-))))))
The new vans are too short. The 68 form factor was perfect. Dangerous as hell, but you could actually camp comfortably in it. Hit something and the front crumpled like tin foil. Really scary when you see that metal coming towards your knees. Even the new electric prototypes are too short.
Im desperately looking for a Type 2 bungalow window Westfalia in good condition. I had two back in the seventies snd eighties and am now feeling very nostalgic before i die. Anyone got a good one for £20k
Two weeks before pandemic clousedown, I bought a '92 T4 California (Westfalia) for some 250-300 (depends if you think £,$ or EUR) Some of these really bargains, I guess.
1:01, 2:15 It’s Volkskombiwagen Type 1, Which Is The Second Type Of Volkswagen Overall Volkswagen = “People’s Car” In German Volkskombiwagen = “People’s Estate Car” In German 2:07 People’s Plate Cart 2:15 People’s Cab-Over Estate Car (Splitscreen) 4:00 Goods Car 14:05 2:15 Cab-Across 18:50 Crew Cab 20:18 Family Car 35:35 Panoram Car (Called: “Samba”) Utility Cab Cab-Across Utility Dwelling (“Westfaly”) Deluxe & Luxury Variants Available Railway Versions Available One Fitted With Rail Wheels Rail-Guided Versions Available Like The One Out Of DB Volkskombiwagen Type 2 / Bay Window 1:03:42 Volkskombiwagen Type 2 / Bay Window (1st Generation) 1:05:20 Volkskombiwagen Type 2 / Bay Window (2nd Generation) 1:08:21 Volkskombiwagen Type 2 / Bay Window (3rd Generation) 1990s “T2C” Volkskombiwagen Type 3 / Vanagon 1:11:23 Volkswagen Transporter Classic 1:14:26 Volkswagen Transporter (1st Modern Generation) 1:16:01
I have a so72 bay, what would be the ball park figure for conversion currently, shame I can't fit the puch/steyr 4x4 but have only ever seen a synchro bay prototype that VW experiment/tested.
Did you know VW refuses to sell the VW California in USA?!!!! Not sure why they continue to use the American California name but they refuse to sell in US..
VW has an amazing knack for specifically excluding vehicles of particular appeal from the U.S. market. The California, the Corrado, the euro-spec Passat, the list goes on….
Some good stuff in this film. I've owned a few VW vans in my time, including a T25 Syncro --which I still regret selling. However there were two really irritating factors which had me gritting my teeth most of the way through: FIRST: The incessant plinky-plink 'lift music' in the background. Why do so many film-makers think "What this really needs is my '20 Elevator Classics' album, playing on continuous loop all the way through"? SECOND: This film is shot in 16:9 ration [ie Widescreen]. Much of the included archive footage and stills were shot in 4:3 ratio. But instead of showing these undistorted with vertical black bars either side, they've been stretched to fit widescreen. So you end up with footage of VW Transporters looking like stretch limos. Both really amateur schoolboy errors which, for me, pretty much ruined an otherwise interesting film.
The first Kefer /Beatle was from the Swiss Jewish man Joseph Ganz - No German; hard to digest for the nazi's at the time, and the first idea for the VW transporter was from the Dutchman Pon. Nevertheless: Thanks!!
Correct. I worked in Deutschland for 40 years Germans are very good at telling people what to do. Also copying and stealing good ideas. If you look back many famous manufacturers and products were invented by non German people. But one thing is their quality is fantastic.
