CONTENTS. Acknowledgements... 4 Introduction... 6

Transcription

1 Acknowledgements... 4 Introduction... 6 Chapter 1 ANCESTRY & DEVELOPMENT... 9 Tracing the origins Wolfsburg & the birth of the Volkswagen War & the first Volkswagen variants Shaping the Transporter Early problems From prototype to production CONTENTS Chapter 2 TECHNOLOGY & EVOLUTION Production changes From Wolfsburg to Hanover The Transporter in the sixties The 1500 engine arrives Demise of the Split-Screen Transporter The MkII arrives Third generation Transporters Ending an era The Eurovan & beyond Chapter 3 THE VARIANTS The Pick-up Not just a van The Samba Bus New generation variants Type The ultimate Camper Extending the range COLOUR SECTION Chapter 4 CUSTOMISED TRANSPORTERS Customising a Transporter Chapter 5 LIVING WITH A TRANSPORTER Buying advice Buying a Split-Screen Bulli Buying a Bay Window or Wedge Transporter Under the skin - what to look for A Transporter in the garage Restoration Getting more from a Transporter Clubs Appendix 1 Production & sales figures Appendix 2 At-a-glance chronology Appendix 3 Specifications Appendix 4 Clubs, specialists & bibliography Index

2 Inspired by seeing the Beetle-based trucks at Wolfsburg, Ben Pon roughly sketched an outline for a commercial variant of the Volkswagen in his notebook. Pon s idea of a 750 kg brick-shaped vehicle incorporating forward control with the engine over the rear axle is remarkably close to the definitive product. The date on the drawing is clearly visible, 23rd April (Courtesy Stiftung Auto Museum) When Ben Pon discussed his ideas with the REME s commanding officers, it was clear there was little chance of them being accepted due to Wolfsburg s output capability which had reached full capacity. When Volkswagen was passed back into German hands in 1948 and with Heinz Nordhoff in charge, Pon found an enthusiastic supporter for his project. Nordhoff is pictured here with the Beetle, a car in which he had complete faith. (Author s collection) using it to capacity and producing vehicles profitably. Ben Pon lost no time in discussing his ideas with him. Heinz Nordhoff was sympathetic to Pon s ideas for a Volkswagen commercial variant which, in his view, meant that the range of vehicles Wolfsburg could offer to an ever-demanding public could be extended. Ben Pon s creation was the second variant upon the Beetle, the first of which was the Cabriolet with versions by both Karmann and Hebmuller. Within eleven months of Nordhoff taking charge of Volkswagen he had not only accepted Pon s proposal and put his chief development engineer, Alfred Haesner, in charge of the Transporter programme, but had also made sure the scale drawings were ready on his desk. The plans which Alfred Haesner presented to Heinz Nordhoff on 20th November 1948 consisted of two sets of drawings designated A and B : both were similar in concept but depicted a difference in the Transporter s frontal styling. Aesthetically, the design of the 21

3 Colour Gallery The longevity of VW Buses is evident from this photograph which shows vehicles of late 50s/early 60s vintage. Belonging to members of the VW Split Screen Van Club - a British organization devoted to ownership of early Transporters - these Buses are used daily. (Author s collection) This Campervan may be nearly 40 years old but it s still in regular use, providing full facilities and plenty of comfort for a family of four. (Author s collection) The Transporter was used extensively by fire brigades. (Courtesy Nick Gibbons) 103

4 Colour Gallery This sad-looking Bay Window camper was spotted a long way from home in Ukutu, near Mombassa, Kenya. (Courtesy Rod Grainger) The Mark 4 Transporter alongside its ancestor. Although styling and mechanical specification changed, the fundamental concept of the vehicle remains the same. (Courtesy AutoSleepers) 112

5 There are several areas on a Bulli which easily succumb to rot, such as the wheelarches and cab floor. (Courtesy Nick Gibbons) Fortunately, virtually all body panels are available for the Bulli; corrosion can be so severe as to warrant replacement of the chassis floor, sills and outriggers. In this example, the area behind the bumper assembly has decayed so badly that it s been necessary to weld in an entirely new section. (Courtesy Nick Gibbons) time to take stock of the situation and make detailed lists of all the items that need replacing, together with those that can be salvaged, even if it does mean sending them away for renovation by experts. To arrive at this point, all pieces of equipment that, when renovated are to be refitted, should be labelled so that they can be identified later; every trace of dirt, oil and grease must have been 140 cleaned away and, presuming the vehicle is to be completely resprayed, all the old paint should have been removed. This is a dirty and painstaking job and one that will inevitably take far longer than anticipated, especially if a firstclass finish is to be achieved. Be prepared to get filthy; make sure that as well as adequate protective clothing, a face mask and goggles are worn. If using chemical cleaners ensure the manufacturer s instructions are followed, especially where there is a need for specific ventilation requirements. Gloves or barrier creams should, of course, be used and take care that any spillages are treated with caution. To make the whole process easier it might be beneficial to hire a steam cleaning device. A short cut towards total rust removal would be to have badly affected areas sand-blasted: as this is obviously a specialised technique, specific advice should be sought. As has already been described, the main areas most likely to have succumbed to rot are the wheelarches, cab floor, sills, chassis outriggers and chassis floor, as well as the lower rear quarter panels. In addition, the front panel will probably need rubbing down completely and, due to its double skin construction, filled where necessary; the front valance, once the bumper assembly has been removed, may be found to be so badly corroded that it is necessary to weld replacement sheet metal panels into place. Before that, though, take a good look at the chassis box section behind the valance as there is a strong possibility that this will also need to be replaced. On Split-Screen models the amount of rot around the