The Volkswagen Type 2, known formally as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, or, informally, as the coach or Camper, was a cabover panel van launched in 1950 because of the German automaker Volkswagen as its 2nd automobile model. Appropriate – and at first deriving from Volkswagen's earliest design, the Type 1 – it was given the factory designation means 2.

Among the forerunners associated with the modern-day cargo and passenger vans, the nature 2 offered increase to forward control rivals in the usa within the sixties, including the Ford Econoline, the Dodge A100, and also the Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan, the second adopting the kind 2's rear-engine configuration. European competition included the 1960s FF design Renault Estafette as well as the FR design Ford transportation.

Such as the Beetle, the van has gotten numerous nicknames global, such as the "microbus", "minibus", and, due to its appeal throughout the counterculture activity for the 1960s, Hippie van/wagon, and still continue to be iconic for many hippies nowadays.

Brazil contained the last factory on the planet that produced the T2. Manufacturing in Brazil stopped on December 31, 2013, as a result of introduction of more strict protection regulations in the nation. This marks the end of an era with the rear-engine Volkswagens produced, which originated from 1935 with their means 1 prototypes.

The Volkswagen Samba, in the us also called Sunroof luxurious, is probably the most luxurious type of the Volkswagen Transporter T1. Volkswagen started creating Sambas in 1951. Inside sixties this version shot to popularity as a hippie coach.

Initially Volkswagen Vans were categorized in accordance with the range house windows that they had. This specific model have 23 and soon after 21 windows like eight panoramic house windows in the roofing. To tell apart they from regular 23 or 21-window Volkswagen van the name Samba is coined.

In the place of a sliding home in the part the Samba have two pivot doorways. Also the Samba had a fabric sunroof. During those times Volkswagen promoted utilizing the idea of making use of the Samba to create tourist trips through the Alps.

Sambas are standard coated in two colors. Often, the top of parts had been colored white. The 2 coloured areas had been divided by a decorative strip. More the bus have a so-called "hat": at the front end regarding the van the roofing ended up being somewhat more than the automobile itself to stop the sun's rays for the driver. The microsoft windows had chrome tables plus the van had a more extensive dashboard as compared to typical T1.

When Volkswagen began producing the successor of the T1 the organization also stopped making the Samba so are there no Sambas in later models of the Volkswagen Transporter.

The idea for the Type 2 try paid to Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon. Pon went to Wolfsburg in 1946, going to buy Type 1s for import into the Netherlands, where he saw an improvised parts-mover and realized some thing best ended up being possible utilizing the stock means 1 pan. He initially sketched the van in a doodle dated April 23, 1947, proposing a payload of 690 kg and putting the motorist during the really forward. Manufacturing would have to wait, however, since the factory was at ability making the nature 1.

When capability freed up, a model understood internally as Type 29 ended up being produced in a brief 90 days. The stock Type 1 cooking pan proved to be also poor therefore the prototype utilized a ladder framework with product system building. Coincidentally the wheelbase is exactly like the nature 1's. Designers used again the reduction equipment from Type 81, allowing the 1.5 ton van to utilize a 25 hp level four motor.

Even though the aerodynamics associated with the earliest prototypes were bad, engineers put the wind tunnel in the Technical institution of Braunschweig to enhance the style. Easy adjustment such as splitting the windshield and roofline into a "vee" helped manufacturing Type 2 develop Cd=0.44, surpassing the nature 1's Cd=0.48. Volkswagen's latest ceo Heinz Nordhoff accepted the van for manufacturing on 19 might 1949 while the first manufacturing design, now designated kind 2, rolled from the assembly line to debut 12 November. Best two designs had been supplied: the Kombi, together with Commercial. The Microbus was added in-may 1950, joined by the luxurious Microbus in Summer 1951. In all 9,541 Type 2s had been produced in their very first seasons of production.

An ambulance design is included in December 1951 which repositioned the gas tank at the transaxle, place the extra tire behind the leading chair, and added a "tailgate"-style rear home. These functions became standard on Type 2 from 1955 to 1967. 11,805 Type 2s had been integrated the 1951 design year. We were holding joined up with by a single-cab pickup in August 1952, also it changed minimal of this Type 2s until all had been heavily changed in 1968.

Unlike various other back motor Volkswagens, which evolved continuously as time passes but never spotted the development of all-new systems, the Transporter not just developed, but ended up being completely modified periodically with modifications retrospectively named versions "T1" to "T5". However, just generations T1 to T3 can be seen as straight associated with the Beetle.

The kind 2, combined with 1947 Citroën H Van, tend to be one of the primary 'forward control' vans in which the motorist is placed above the front side roadwheels. They started a trend in Europe, where 1952 GM Bedford CA, 1958 RAF-977, 1959 Renault Estafette, 1960 BMC Morris J4, and 1960 Commer FC additionally put the style. In america, the Corvair-based Chevrolet Corvan cargo van and Greenbrier traveler van went so far as to copy the kind 2's rear-engine design, utilising the Corvair's horizontally compared, air-cooled motor for energy. Excluding the Greenbrier and differing 1950s–70s Fiat minivans, the Type 2 stayed special in-being rear-engined. This was a disadvantage for the early "barndoor" Panel Vans, which may perhaps not quickly become loaded from back since the system address intruded on interior area, but generally speaking advantageous in traction and interior sounds.

Between 1951 and August 1958, around 1,000 Camper container conversions were produced by Westfalia, formal creator of Volkswagen camper sales. In August 1958, the SO products were launched.

Westfalia special versions included the SO-23, -33 -34, -35, -42, -44, and -45.

Westfalia Campers were available from Volkswagen dealers global and had been additionally delivered through the Tourist Delivery regimen — wherein a client would collect their new van in Germany, drive it in Europe, after that VW would ship they into buyer's house. Many Volkswagen Campers had been bought by American servicemen and delivered house in the 1950s and 1960s.

From 1979 until 1992 Westfalia Vanagon were built.
Standard gear
1970 Camper internal

Different foldout seat arrangements for sleep
Birch plywood internal panels
Laminated plywood cabinetry for storage
Icebox or cold-box
Sink
Liquids space and pump
Electrical hookups
Curtains
Screened jalousie windows
Laminated folding dining table

Optional equipment
Westfalia split-windshield camper with alternatives

Attached "pop up" tops with canvas/screen sides
Awnings and part tents
a transportable chemical lavatory
A camping stove
Numerous camping products
Kid resting cot in driver cab
Storing container which suits interior. Is placed between front side seats by sliding home.
Rear move dining table
Little map dining table installed on dash
Automated Transmission
Air-con

Awnings and part tents
T1 Camper with side tent

Many tent and part awning design were readily available as extra-cost additions. Collectors often have trouble deciding whether these options was particularly available from as well as Westfalia versions, or had been created and offered by other camper conversion vendors such as ASI/Riviera and Sundial.

SO-22 "camping field" Duration. During this period no tent per se ended up being offered by Westfalia, but you can get a striped canvas awning that stretched practically the length of the automobile, and offered about six ft out to along side it. The awning frame appears to be similar to that of the SO-23 stage huge tent described below. This original of Westfalia tents are shown on the cover regarding the July, 1955 problem of prominent Mechanics plus a 1956 pamphlet that defines they as "a sizable, colorful side awning."

SO-23 deluxe camper. Two tent options had been available during this time period. One had been much like the 1952–1958 awning, with the help of detachable part curtains, while the other was a small vestibule or foyer that best covered along side it door location. These have no names apart from "large tent" and "smaller tent," in addition to bigger people seemingly have been readily available with and without your bathrooms as described below.
VW bus with attached small tent
The tiny tent

The tiny tent, for sale in either red/white or blue/gray stripes, was less popular and thus try less often seen today. They comprises of just one bit of heavier canvas, with a strip of vinyl across the bottom acting as a reinforcement and splash shield. It fits over the side-door orifice as a sort of foyer or vestibule. It is large enough for just two grownups to face inside, but little else, and had been most likely intended as a means of getting in and out of camper in cold or damp weather.

The stripes are about four inches wide. The tent is about four foot wide by three legs deep, and inside headroom is above six legs. A lengthy white zipper works within the middle associated with front side, whilst straight back is open and contoured to match the coach. The frame is made from four metal poles which fit into pockets in the top of the tent and lock collectively to form a square. Feet on two of poles squeeze into brackets which were bolted into the camper's roof. Two further poles dogleg to the top frame and also have tiny chain-hooks to put up the doors open. The lower ends among these poles fit into holes inside jack aids. Rubber grommets help protect the paint on doors and also the jack things. The lower side of the tent is guaranteed into floor with about a dozen material stakes. Each share is about six inches longer and is created from hardened 1/4" rods with a loop at one end. Two space bags made of fabric with leather-based straps tend to be furnished for the tent and poles.
VW bus with affixed huge tent
The big tent with optional awning aids

The big tent, most likely a revision of SO-22 awning design, has also been labeled as the "privy tent" because most systems seen these days have actually your bathrooms inside rear side-wall. This is a zippered, metre-square room that shines toward the trunk, and it is organized by telescoping poles and man ropes. Open grommets are put near the top for air flow.

This tent is most often present in a yellow/blue-grey stripe, but are furthermore available in red/white, orange/blue, orange/white, and green/white. The tent's framework mounts to brackets on top and bumpers. The leading bumper mount was a set bowl of metal curved into an open S or Z form. Tent poles is metallic, either black or grey, around 2 cm in diameter, and there are fourteen sections that really must be assembled generate a rectangular, peaked awning with assistance rods ultimately causing the bumpers. After the awning was create, curtains could be attached to the three outer side to realize a weatherproof - though windowless and floorless - lightweight refuge. Leather straps secure the sidewalls into the help poles, and stakes hold the base edges down much like the small tent. Yet another set of poles and stakes had been offered to permit the outer flap to-be offered horizontally as a moment awning, causing a large shaded space privately of coach.
VW coach with connected freestanding tent
The framed tent

The framed tent. This is actually the largest and a lot of colorful of this Westfalia part tents. It is unlike the sooner small and enormous awning-based tents in two crucial tactics: the improvement of huge, screened microsoft windows quietly curtains, and a free-standing frame that enables the tent becoming left during the campsite as the bus try driven away for groceries or part trips. The tent even offers a rear home which can be zipped shut at these types of days. Both front side and rear flaps can be rolled up and presented available by fabric connections or straps with lift-the-dot fasteners.

This is the best Westfalia tent produced for Split-windshield bus and it is probably the most collectible version; its tents alone, in good condition, have already been offered for well over US$1,000.
VW coach with freestanding bay-window ten-
Freestanding Model

Early bay-window tent. When Volkswagen transitioned towards bay-window or breadloaf design with big, solitary curved windshield and sliding side door, the Westfalia camper is customized to include an angled poptop. This design provided room for a big young child's cot expense, and on later on models, the poptop had been more increased to fit a complete sleep large enough for 2 grownups.

The add-on side tent underwent an entire redesign. The new design superficially resembles the late Split-windshield's framed tent in general shape and colors, it is otherwise very different. For just one, the tent's framework is additional, with all the fabric sustained by elastic loops and synthetic hooks, notably like a shower curtain. As opposed to a single starting front side panel, there is certainly a zippered screen door in the middle of the front with a small awning flap that can be lowered for wind and rainfall defense. This tent additionally features a waterproof floors, while the accessory process from the vehicle side leads to a securely closable housing.

More WV tents: different websites provide information on various other Westfalia tents, also aftermarket tents furnished by more providers, in the Vanagon and Transporter/Eurovan periods.
1st generation of Volkswagen Type 2 with the separate windshield, informally labeled as the Microbus, Splitscreen, or Splittie among modern lovers, is created from 8 March 1950 through the end for the 1967 model 12 months. From 1950 to 1956, the T1 was built in Wolfsburg; from 1956, it had been built during the brand-new Transporter factory in Hanover. Like the Beetle, the initial Transporters put the 1100 Volkswagen air-cooled engine, an 1,131 cc, DIN-rated 18 kW, air-cooled flat-four-cylinder 'boxer' motor attached within the rear. It was upgraded into the 1200 – an 1,192 cc 22 kW in 1953. A higher compression proportion became standard in 1955; while a silly early type of the 30 kW system premiered solely from the Type 2 in 1959. This motor proved to be therefore uncharacteristically problematic that Volkswagen recalled all 1959 Transporters and changed the machines with an updated form of the 30 kW motor. Any 1959 versions that hold that early motor today become real survivors. Because the motor ended up being totally stopped at the outset, no components are ever before made available.

The early models for the T1 until 1955 are known as the "Barndoor", owing to the enormous back engine address, even though the later models with a somewhat customized system, modest engine bay, and 15" roadwheels rather than the earliest 16" your is today known as the T1b. From the 1963 model 12 months, once the back home ended up being made wider, the automobile could be called the T1c. 1964 also saw the development of an optional sliding door for passenger/cargo area rather than the outwardly hinged doorways typical of cargo vans.

In 1962, a heavy-duty Transporter was launched as a factory alternative. They showcased a cargo capacity of 1,000 kg instead of the earlier 750 kg, small but wide 14" roadwheels, and a 1.5 Le, 31 kW DIN motor. It was therefore successful that best per year later, the 750 kg, 1.2 L Transporter was stopped. The 1963 model 12 months introduced the 1500 system – 1,493 cc as standard gear into United States markets at 38 kW DIN with an 83 mm bore, 69 mm swing, and 7.8:1 compression ratio. When the Beetle received the 1.5 L system for the 1967 design 12 months, its energy had been risen up to 40 kW DIN.
1966 Volkswagen Kombi

German production ended after the 1967 design season; but the T1 nonetheless is built in Brazil until 1975, with regards to is customized with a 1968–79 T2-style forward end, and huge 1972-vintage taillights to the so-called "T1.5" and created until 1996. The Brazilian T1s were not the same as the last German models, though they sported some characteristic popular features of the T1a, like the cargo doorways and five-stud 205 mm Pitch group Diameter rims. Wheel monitors varied between German and Brazilian manufacturing in accordance with 14-inch, 15-inch and 16-inch wheel variations but generally front track varied from 1290 mm to 1310 mm and back track from 1370 mm to 1390 mm.
VW coach Type 2, hippie colors

Among United states enthusiasts, extremely common to mention towards the latest models of by the few their house windows. The basic Kombi or coach is the 11-window with a split windshield, two forward cabin door windows, six rear part house windows, and something back window. The DeLuxe model featured eight rear side windows as well as 2 back part microsoft windows, rendering it the 15-window. Meanwhile, the sunroof luxurious with its extra eight little skylight microsoft windows are, properly, the 23-window. From the 1964 model seasons, having its larger back home, the rear spot microsoft windows had been discontinued, making the second two the 13-window and 21-window respectively. The 23- and soon after 21-window variations each bring the nickname 'Samba', or in Australian Continent, formally 'Alpine'.

In late 1967, the 2nd generation for the Volkswagen kind 2 is introduced. It was built in Germany until 1979. In Mexico, the Volkswagen Kombi and Panel were produced from 1970 to 1994. Systems before 1971 tend to be known as the T2a, while versions after 1972 are known as the T2b.
1978 Volkswagen Transporter Pickup
1973–1980 Volkswagen Kombi van
T2 utilized as an ambulance in Brazil

This second-generation kind 2 missing their distinctive split front windshield, and had been a little bigger and significantly more substantial than its predecessor. Its typical nicknames were Breadloaf and Bay-window, or Loaf and Bay for quick. At 1.6 L and 35 kW DIN, the system has also been a little bigger. The new design additionally performed away with the move axle back suspension system and transfer containers previously used to boost trip level. As an alternative, half-shaft axles fitted with continual velocity joints increased trip height without wild alterations in camber associated with the Beetle-based swing axle suspension system. The up-to-date coach transaxle is normally popular by off road racers utilizing air-cooled Volkswagen elements.

The T2b was launched through steady change over 3 years. The first brands showcased rounded bumpers integrating a step to be used whenever home ended up being open, forward doors that opened to 90° from human anatomy, no lip in the forward guards, unique engine hatches, and crescent atmosphere intakes when you look at the D-pillars. The 1971 Type 2 featured a, 1.6 L motor with twin consumption ports on each cylinder head and ended up being DIN-rated at 37 kW. An important changes was included with the introduction of front disc brakes and new roadwheels with braking system ventilation holes and flatter hubcaps. Up until 1972, forward signs is set reduced on the nose in the place of on top of either side of the fresh air grille – offering rise with their being nicknamed "Low lighting". 1972's more prominent change had been a bigger engine storage space to match the larger 1.7- to 2.0-litre machines from Volkswagen Type 4, and a redesigned buttocks which removed the detachable rear apron and introduced the more expensive belated tail lighting. The air inlets were additionally increased to support the increased cooling environment needs of larger machines.

In 1971 the 1600cc Type 1 engine as found in the Beetle, is supplemented using 1700cc Type 4 engine – because it was initially made for the nature 4 brands. European vans kept a choice of upright lover Type 1 1600 engine nevertheless the 1700 kind 4 became standard for US spec designs.
Pre-facelift and facelifted Volkswagen Kombi vans

Within the kind 2, the Type 4 system had been a choice for the 1972 model seasons onward. This engine had been standard in brands destined for the US and Canada. Only with the kind 4 motor did an automatic transmission come to be designed for the very first time inside 1973 model seasons. Both machines displaced 1.7 L, DIN-rated at 49 kW because of the handbook transmission and 46 kW using automated. The Type 4 engine was increased to 1.8 L and 50 kW DIN when it comes to 1974 design year and once more to 2.0 L and 52 kW DIN for 1976 model season. The 1978 2.0 L today showcased hydraulic device lifters, getting rid of the necessity to sporadically adjust the device clearances as on earlier in the day models. The 1975 and soon after U.S. model years got Bosch L-Jetronic digital fuel shot as standard gear; 1978 is initial season for digital ignition, utilizing a hall influence sensor and electronic operator, eliminating maintenance-requiring contact-breaker points. As with all Transporter motors, the focus in developing had not been on energy, but on low-end torque. The sort 4 machines had been significantly more powerful and sturdy than the means 1 machines, especially in Transporter solution.

In 1972, when it comes to 1973 design season, outside changes included relocated forward turn signs, squared down and ready higher into the valance, above the headlights. In addition, square-profiled bumpers, which became standard until the end associated with T2 in 1979, had been introduced in 1973. Crash security enhanced with this specific modification because of a compressible framework behind the leading bumper. This intended that the T2b was with the capacity of satisfying United States security requirements for traveler cars of that time period, though not necessary of vans. The "VW" emblem regarding front side valance became a little modest.

Later on design changes were primarily mechanical. By 1974, the T2 have attained its best form. Extremely later when you look at the T2's design lifestyle, through the belated 1970s, the first prototypes of means 2 vans with four-wheel drive had been built and tested.

A-swing axle is a simple type of separate suspension created and branded by Edmund Rumpler in 1903. It was a revolutionary innovation into the automotive business, allowing wheels to answer irregularities of roadway surfaces individually, and enable the car to steadfastly keep up a good road holding. Initial automotive application had been the Rumpler Tropfenwagen, the typical better together with Volkswagen Beetle.

Some later on vehicle rear move axles need universal bones linking the driveshafts to the differential, which can be connected to the framework. They don't have universal joints on wheels: the rims will always perpendicular on driveshafts. Move axle suspensions typically made use of leaf springs and surprise absorbers. It absolutely was in addition utilized in very early aircraft, such as the Sopwith and Fokker, frequently with plastic bungee no damping.

The T2c, with a roof raised by about 10 cm ended up being built starting during the early 1990s the Southern United states and Central United states areas. Since 1991, the T2c is built in México using water-cooled 1.8 L inline four-cylinder 53 kW carbureted engine—easily identified by the big, black colored front-mounted radiator—and since 1995 using 1.6 L air-cooled engines when it comes to Brazilian markets.

As soon as production of the initial Beetle was halted in belated 2003, the T2 was the only real Volkswagen design with an air-cooled, rear-mounted boxer motor, but then the Brazilian model shifted to a water-cooled motor on 23 December 2005. There clearly was a 1.6 L 50 hp water-cooled diesel system offered by 1981 to 1985, which offered gas economy of 15 km/l to 18 km/l—but gave sluggish overall performance as well as its inadequate cooling system led to short motor lifetime.

The end of the Volkswagen air-cooled motor on an internationally foundation was marked by a Special Edition Kombi. A unique gold paint tasks, and restricted version emblems were placed on best 200 units in late 2005, and had been offered as 2006 models.
An air-cooled and a water-cooled VW Kombi, made in Brazil. Design ages 2005 and 2006.

Stricter emissions laws introduced by the Brazilian federal government for 2006 pushed a move to a flexible-fuel water-cooled motor capable run using petrol or alcoholic beverages. Borrowed through the Volkswagen Fox, the motor try a rear-mounted EA-111 1.4 L 8v Total Flex 1,390 cc, 58 kW on petrol, and 60 kW whenever run-on ethanol, and 124 N·m torque. This version is extremely successful, inspite of the minor modifications meant to the general T2-bodied vehicle. It nonetheless included the four-speed transmission, but a new final-drive ratio enabled cruising at 120 km/h at 4,100 rpm. Top speeds was 130 km/h. 0 to 100 km/h acceleration took 22.7 moments. More improvements included 6.6per cent much better fuel economic climate, and almost 2 dB less engine noise.

The Volkswagen Type 2 is by far the longest design run-in Brazil, creating become launched in September 1950 while the Volkswagen "Kombi", a name it offers held throughout production. Best stated in two models, bus or panel van, it includes only one factory choice, a rear window defogger. Since Summer 2009, the T2 was being built on Volkswagen Group's São Bernardo manage Campo plant at a level of 97 daily.

The production of the Brazilian Volkswagen Kombi concluded in 2013 with a production run of 600 final version automobiles. A brief movie known as "Kombi's last desires" was produced by VW Brazil.

The Tracta joint deals with the principle associated with the double-tongue and groove joint. They comprises only four individual components: the 2 forks and the two semi-spherical sliding pieces which interlock in a floating link. Each yoke jaw engages a circular groove created on advanced users. Both advanced users tend to be coupled collectively consequently by a swivel tongue and grooved combined. Once the feedback and production shafts are likely at some employed angle to one another, the travel advanced user accelerates and decelerates during each revolution. Considering that the main tongue-and-groove joint are a quarter of a revolution away from period using the yoke jaws, the matching speeds fluctuation associated with driven advanced and result jaw users precisely counteract and counteract the speeds difference of input 1 / 2 member. Thus the production rate change was the same as compared to the input drive, providing continual velocity rotation.