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In 1947, Ben Pon sketched a design for Volkswagen that would eventually turn into yet another cultural icon: the Type 2 car. This vehicle turned out to be more like a bus or a camper van than a true car, and it made no claims to be compact! Instead, it was a hulking, flat-sided beast of a vehicle that could carry lots of people at one time. This capability gave rise to the use of vans as shuttle cars for airports and other places that tend to have high pedestrian traffic. During the 1960’s, the Volkswagen camper van became identified with the hippies. Its design was a huge step away from the smaller, more sophisticated cars that were considered mainstream. Its broad sides also tended to become a canvas for personal art. Even the vintage vans are quite reliable and often have engines that will serve you well for years to come. There are many variants from which you can choose when looking at original VW camper vans, including one that had a fabric sunroof and skylight windows. The original Type 2 van had a split windshield and a four-cylinder boxer engine that was air-cooled and situated in the rear. This engine, however, was nothing but trouble from the beginning, and the 1959 engines were recalled. A van with a 1959 engine intact would be a rare find, indeed.  The second edition of the Type 2 car, produced beginning in 1968, had a single windshield. Its shape gives it the nickname “Breadloaf”. It is also known for its windshield style and can be called a “Bay Window”. The engine became larger and the car itself became heavier. Volkswagen vans are often called “vdubs” here in the UK. They have also earned the names “hippie-mobile” and “combie”. The last nickname comes from the idea that the bus is a “combination vehicle” with many uses. You can still find a very fun modern camper van from Volkswagen. Try visiting www.volkswagenvans.co.uk for an authorized seller if you want to get complete information about your purchase. They offer vans of all types, from minivans to the modern version of the Transporter. These Transporters are big vans, made to hold all your friends – or at least some of them! One of the newer offerings from Volkswagen is the Caddy Maxi van. It offers plenty of strength for your heaviest loads while remaining compact. It has about 4200 litres of storage volume available, and has a total length of 4.88 metres. This is one van that can stand up to your towing needs, as well; it has quite a bit of hauling power. In the 2008 market, the Volkswagen Routan is a great new van. It holds up to seven people. With the standard engine, it has 197 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission. You can also purchase this model with an engine capable of up to 235 hp. It is over 5 metres long. Volkswagen camper vans remain popular today due to the nostalgia they evoke and the superior reliability they provide.
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