History of the Vanagon 
 Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos
 Beginning of the VW bus legend:
In April 1947, the Dutch VW broker, Ben Pon, drew a 
sketch of a transporter bus based on a VW beetle chassis.

Actual drawing, still in
existence, of Ben Pon's
original concept of the 
transporter bus.
vw_van_assembly.jpg (44213 bytes)
Hannover VW bus assembly line in the1950's. 
vw_van_1962.jpg (19253 bytes) Type 2 T1
Split-window bus
(1950-1967)
VW_t2_bus.jpg (7107 bytes) Type 2 T2
Bay-window bus
(1967-1979)
The first vanagon was built in Hannover in 1979.
vw_vanagon.jpg (14243 bytes) Type 2 T3
VW bus called
Vanagon in the U.S.

 

The public got a first glimpse of  the "Vanagon" in an 
article in a popular German car magazine, November 1978.
The article heralded the introduction of the vanagon: 
The VW bus, built for over 25 years, and affectionately called 
”Bulli“, (German for little bull)  by the public, will be replaced 
this year by a modern successor. 
The modified and stylized mini-transporter will receive a newly
designed body with stronger lines and more interior space.
VW continues the proven concept of the rear-engine bus. 
Air-cooled and water-cooled engines will be offered, and
many different versions will be available. 

VW_vanagon_group.jpg (20027 bytes)

The first vanagon left the Hannover factory in the spring of 1979.
The new design included much improved passive safety.
Crash tests helped with the design of crumple zones, which in the
case of a front or side impact, absorb energy.
The driver and passenger are protected by an impact protection 
beam at knee height inside the front passenger compartment.
Integrated in the doors are side impact beams.

Body reinforcements.
Hidden from view,  additional impact beam inside passenger compartment.

Handling has been much improved, and the vanagon is less 
side wind sensitive than its predecessor.
The first engines: 1.6 liter 50 Hp, and a 2.0 liter 70 Hp, air-cooled.
In the U.S., VW sold the mini-bus, multi-van, and campers.
1981, introduction of the 1.6 liter diesel, 50 hp.
1982, introduction of the water boxer motor, with 60 and 78 hp.
1985, VW considerably modifies the engines. 
Newly introduced, the 70 hp turbo-diesel and 
a 2.1 liter fuel-injected version 95 hp water boxer.
                           
        Click to continue History (next the Syncro)

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