Volkswagen Camper: A Cultural Icon

There are cars that define an era and even a generation. Volkswagen has the distinction of owning two cars that have done so since their foray into car manufacturing. First there is the Beetle probably the most famous car of the 20th Century. Then there is the Camper (aka the Kombi or Transporter) a car that equally took off and made the Volkswagen brand, a worldwide phenomenon. After all, those who are old enough, remember that the hippie generation and this car were essentially inseparable.

History

The Camper was introduced in 1950 and was designated the factory name the Type 2 since the Beetle was already given the designation of Type 1. A Dutchman by the name Ben Pon started sketches in 1947 inspired by trucks based of the Beetle. The original nickname was Bulli however the other aforementioned titles took on more prominence.

Engine

The Camper originally utilised a four cylinder horizontally opposed 1.1 litre engine producing 25HP and 75Nm of torque. The engine was positioned at the rear and had a distinct purr that was instantly recognisable since it was borrowed from the VW Beetle. The four speed manual transmission drove the rear wheels.

The 0-50mph took 30.6 seconds with a top speed of about 105km/h. Following the launch of the right hand drive versions in 1954 engine capacity was increased to 1.2litres and power rose to 30HP.

1959 saw the addition of a new all-synchro gearbox and an increase of engine power to 34HP. A 1.5litre engine was introduced in 1963 producing 42HP and increasing to 45HP in 1965. Two years later a 1.6litre engine is introduced producing 47HP.

Granted these numbers won’t blow you away but this is a classic car that is to be driven at nice relaxed pace so that everybody sees you while you admire the countryside.

Exterior

The Camper has a unique look to it, in fact it mirrors the Beetle in terms of looks and design, but being a van it is wider, longer taller and bigger. The front and rear are identical with curved round edges that give it a look all its own. The round panels that cover the front wheels bulge with a slightly outward to give it a unique appearance. The two round headlamps possess a bug like appearance and seem to be positioned to accentuate the round edges.

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The bumper is a standard metal affair that also curves with seamless flow at the lowest point of the body. The VW logo is so prominent at the front as if the marquee was trying to boast its credentials to the entire world. However the logo fitted nicely with the overall package, providing it with a complete look. The rear had a minimalist design to it with the right angled lines and small rounded edges complete that classic look.

1951 saw the launch of the Samba bus (also called the Microbus Deluxe) a version of the Camper with up to 23 windows and currently a collector’s item. The pickup version was introduced in 1952 and a year later a double cabin version was introduced. The high roof version was launched in 1961 and 1967 saw the replacement of the split front windscreen design with a single piece windscreen (bay-window) earning these models the nickname bays.

Gnarly Interior dude

The Camper as the name suggests is a car that you took out for long weekend or holiday getaways. As such it offers a lot of space. The steering is a large sturdy affair that rises from the floor with great aplomb. The dashboard has minimal styling with the basic odometers as well as an analogue clock thrown in.

Originally it had front middle and rear seats as well as a large area that acted as the boot. However the hippie movement demanded home away from home functionality. As such VW outfitted the Camper with all manner of amenities like cabinets, sinks, sofas to enable face to face seating arrangements, curtains, fixed and foldable tables, a 12volt socket, wardrobes, fold away cooktops, under seat storage, fold flat seats (that made up a large bed).

Though Volkswagen never created one with beds, the ability to customise allowed one to easily modify the Camper to include one. In fact any kind of house hold based accessory was fitted or could be fitted into the Camper with a little modification. The high roofed version added a tented panel in the middle of the roof that increased headroom and added more space for beds.

Power to the people’s car

Volkswagen means the “people’s car” in German and the Camper and Beetle are testament to the fact that the Wolfsburg based manufacturer knows how to make car’s for the people. From the generation that was the Hippie movement, to surfers searching for the next big wave, as well as those seeking a little leisurely weekend getaway the Camper is the car of choice.

The Camper is a classic that remains relevant today not because of its performance numbers but rather its ability to bring back nostalgia to those who witnessed its birth six decades ago. After all Volkswagen did define a whole century with the Beetle and defined an entire movement with Camper.

Hippie Concept

Volkswagen has been working on rebooting the Camper into the modern age. As a result they have produced the Volkswagen Bulli launched at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. It borrows the classic lines and design that made the original a classic. It is however smaller than the original but adds a few modern interior touches.

It is an all-electric front wheel drive car, with a range of 200km. As it is still a concept it is unknown if it will ever be produced. But VW did influence an entire generation sixty years ago maybe they will influence another when they finally decide produce this one. Fingers crossed that they do so that you can get up to all the mischief that your parents never talk about.