Volkswagen T2a Pritschenwagen COBI 24618 - Action Town 1:35

Did you know that:

• While rusty, clattering metal sheets under the name Barkas sped along East German roads, Volkswagen was already preparing the second generation of the legendary transporter. However, the origin must be sought in the Netherlands.
• The foundation of the legendary Transporter was laid by the Dutch Volkswagen car dealer Ben Pon, who noticed supply carts with a flatbed in the front and a cab behind the load on the assembly lines. In post-war Europe, vehicles of all kinds were lacking, and so the enterprising B. Pon began offering the supply carts to his customers. The interest was enormous, but the Dutch authorities refused to approve a vehicle for operation in which the driver sat behind the load. However, this did not deter Ben. He cut up a contemporary leaflet and glued a picture of a cab in front of the loading area onto a white piece of paper and set off for Volkswagen.
• VW management assessed and accepted the concept. This is how a legend was born that is still being produced today in its seventh generation.
• Series production of the T2 began in the summer of 1967. Volkswagen could not keep up with demand. During the first months after its introduction to the market, the manufacturer registered tens of thousands of orders. Production capacity had to be increased to 270 units per day. For comparison, we can mention that the East German Barkas, with all its efforts, produced as many units in 30 years as VW did in 1.5 years.
• The vehicle's construction was simple and reliable. The standard delivery van was gradually joined by a flatbed truck, Kombi, minibus, Caravelle, ambulance, or the Samba version with a canvas retractable roof.
• The last vehicles of the T2 generation rolled off the production line in mid-1979, when they were replaced by the 3rd generation, the T3. But that is another story.
• A total of 1,280,000 T1 units were produced in many versions.

Technical Specification:

• length 4420 mm, width 1765 mm, height 1960 mm
• kerb weight 1210 kg
• total weight 2020 kg
• engine petrol Boxer 4 with a displacement of 1600 cm3 and an output of 35 kW
• number of gears 4
• fuel tank capacity 45 l
• maximum speed 105 km/h
• consumption 10 l/100 km
• number of seats 2-3

Auto Motor und Sport Magazine 1967:

,,The Transporter is a car that does not come with exaggerated promises. It is a vehicle that will take you on all roads with the elegance of an old gentleman. The interior is certainly not the most luxurious, but it is full of charm and distinctive character. The driving characteristics are exactly what you would expect from a minibus of this size. Our only reservation concerns the suspension. When going through the first few corners, we had the impression that we would inevitably roll over onto one side or the other, but this, of course, never happened. It is a question of whether drivers will be able to get used to this feeling."