This Is The Evolution Of The VW Camper Van | HotCars – HotCars

Iconic and superb,the Volkswagen Transporter - in its camper van versions - has always been a symbol of freedom and adventure. Throughout the years, it has beenthe favorite mean of transport for the hippies, the best van for surfers from all over the world, and the first point of reference to all the outdoors enthusiasts.

There have always been several companies involved in convertingthe VW Transporter, like Westfalia - the first one in 1953 and probably the most productiveone -, Reimo or Dehler. Only recently, Volkswagen Californiahas begun operatingas an independent brand, producing their own factory-converted vans. Whatever the case, let'stake a look at the VW Camper Van's evolution.

Related:Volkswagen Teases Massive Camper Van- The California XXL

It all started in 1949, when a man called Ben Pon, a Dutch businessman involved in importing Volkswagen Beetles into the Netherlands, visited a VW factory in Wolfsburg, and sketched out an idea for a brand-new automobile. The VW engineers wouldbe inspired by his sketches to bring the first Bulli -Bus e Lieferwagen (van) -to life.

In 1953,Wesfalia introduced the Camping Box,a set of custom wooden furniture for the Combi (different from the Commercial Transporter).Starting with a large all-in-one unit that fits behind the cockpit, this piece of furniturehides all the mattresses and cushions that form the sofa bed. Also,a place for a basin or a stove, as well as drawers for storing kitchen accessories were included. Finally, a removable table is installed perpendicularly to form a dinette. The canvas mushroom pop-top roof was a cool optional, destined to grow bigger in time.

In 1968, Volkswagen had produced more than 1 million Transporters and released a newervan:although it looked pretty similar to the T1, the T2 was very different. It had a new engine, new suspension, and a stabilizing bar was added to the back.The firstdifference that you could spot, however, is that the split windscreen was replaced with a singular window panel, that is why the T2 has also been named Bay-Window, or simply Bay.

The T2 was upgraded in 1973 and friendly referred to as the late-bay, with previous models being labeled early-bay.The late-bay had a slightly different look, including different front lights, a squared bumper,improved brakes, and the option of a larger engine.Based on Combis whose roof was cut offfromthe factory, the evolution towards a biggerpop-top roof was then perfectly natural and quite simple to implement in the Westfalia factories.

In 1979VW began the production of theT3 van.The numerous Westfalia camper versions were heavily marketed by VW, and those were thefirst vans featuring hard-tops. The T3was also noted bya large number of camper conversionmanufacturers, that wouldwork on the basis of the VW T3, drawinginspiration from therise of the motorhomes in the 1980s.

Available in a pop-top and high-top version, the Volkswagen T3 Joker edition wascharacterized by an L-shaped sofa bed, with beige furniture and fancyfabrics. Also in its Syncro version - 4 wheels driving - the Joker wasjust one of the various editions available during the '80s, marking the T3 one of the most appreciated van by the European adventurers.

Famous for its squared and marked shape, these days the T3 is gaining popularity again, and of course, it's super Instagrammable. The arrival of water-cooled and diesel engines allowed it to engulf even greater distances.Larger than the previous T2, it offersmore storage space.The American versionwas calledVanagon by VWto highlight the van hadthe room of a van, but the driving experience of astation wagon.

Variations of the US Vanagon model included the Standard Vanagon, with vinyl seats and a spartan interior; the Vanagon L with optional fabric seats, chrome window frames, more exclusive interior panels, and an optional dashboard fan and the Vanagon GLthat featured a padded steering wheel and front armrests. TheWestfaliapop-top Vanagons campers were available in the Campmobile version, fully equipped for camping, and the Weekender, a more basic edition equipped for shorter vacations.

In its unique '90s look, this is the fourth-generation Transporter. What all T4s have in common is the modern driving concept, still valid today, with a bigger front-engine and front-wheel drive: this makes the VWT4 easier for inexperienced Bulli drivers.

Among the different models available, this is the T4 California Freedom: with itsfancy equipment, it marks the higher-end versionin the California range. Just to mention few features: 5 cylinders 150hp TDI engine, auxiliary heating, cruise control, navigation system. Basically everything you need for a comfortable camping experience.

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The California T5 was introduced in 2003 in the Beach and Comfortline series. The Beach is more simply equipped and available at a lower basic price. A folding roof, in which a bed was optional.

The Comfortline gives you a kind of being-at-homefeelingwith several cupboards and storage compartments, a refrigerator, a two-burner stove, a sink, and a sofa bed. A table can be opened and combined with the rotating front seats to form a seating group for four people. A camping table is stored in the sliding door, which can be used outside the vehicle with the two camping chairs in the tailgate. Unlike its predecessor, the furniture is no longer made of MDF, but of aluminum finished with wood veneer.

Following the launch of the T6 Transporter, in 2015 a new version of the VW California was released to replace the older T5 version. Some changes applied to the revised van area restyled grille, redesigned headlamps, and wing mirrors. Three equipment levels in this lineup were available: the T6 Ocean, the T6 Coast, and the T6 Beach. Yes, even at VW theyknow how bad you need a vacation in a tropical spot.

The California Ocean features an electro-hydraulically elevating aluminum roof that sustains abed. The rear seating in the California Oceancan also easily turn into an additional bed, givingthe kids a place to sleep.

The latest version of our beloved VW Camper Van was released between 2019 and 2020. Thenew VW California 6.1,with its series of aesthetic, technological, and technical innovations,is the ultimateanswerfor travelers who require high-end comforts on long journeys.

A larger chrome grille in the front and LED lights are the main exterior changes. About the interior, everything turned to be electrically controlled and set: Digital Cockpit on the dashboard and a control panel above the head - a touchpad that will make you feel inside a space shuttle - that can control thepop-top, heating, level functions to see if youre parked ready for sleeping, alarm and the sunrise function which lights up the interior at a specific time in the morning to wake you up.

Related:Volkswagen Will Debut Upgraded T6.1 California Camper At Caravan Salon

With this electric prototype,Volkswagenprojects the Bulli, the iconic Volkswagen minibus, into the future. VW grants flexibleinteriorsto take advantage of the room available and to find the setting that best suits the customer's needs.

According to Volkswagen, the van will feature an AR head-up displaythat projects the navigation directly in front of the car, onto the road. And thanks to the augmented reality projection, the directional arrows will indicate exactly the path you need to follow. Will this be the solution forreaching your destination without taking your eyes off the road? We don't know. But we do know that we just can't stop taking our eyes off those VW Camper Vans.

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Dave D'Alcamo is a writer based in the Italian Motor Valley, but probably he is currently typing from the couch of his van. Pathologically into classics and vans, he shares the devotion for engines with his dad.

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This Is The Evolution Of The VW Camper Van | HotCars - HotCars