Volkswagen T2b Bus COBI 24621 - Action Town 1:35

Did you know:

• While those crazy rusty metal sheets called Barkas roared along East German roads, Volkswagen was already preparing the second generation of the legendary Transporter. Its origin, however, must be traced back to the Netherlands.
• The foundation of the legendary Transporter was laid by Dutch Volkswagen dealer Ben Pon, who noticed supply trolleys with a front cargo bed and a rear driver’s cab on the assembly lines. In post-war Europe vehicles of all kinds were in short supply, so the enterprising B. Pon began offering these trolleys to his customers. Demand was enormous, but the Dutch authorities refused to approve a vehicle where the driver sat behind the cargo. That did not deter Ben, though. He cut up a period leaflet, glued a picture of a cab in front of the load area onto a blank sheet of paper, and took it to Volkswagen.
• VW management reviewed and approved the concept. Thus a legend was born, still in production today in its seventh generation.
• Serial production of the T2 began in the summer of 1967. Volkswagen couldn’t keep up with demand. In the first months after launch, the manufacturer recorded tens of thousands of orders. Production capacity had to be raised to 270 units per day. By comparison, East German Barkas managed in 30 years to build as many vehicles as VW did in just 1.5 years.
• The vehicle’s design was simple and reliable. To the standard panel van were gradually added a flatbed, Kombi, microbus, Caravelle, ambulance and the Samba version with a canvas retractable roof.
• The microbus was offered in several interior layouts. One of the most popular was the 8-seat plus driver configuration.
• In the 1970s, its rounded shapes caused genuine excitement. Everyone loved the vehicle, but the Transporter truly became a cult icon in the United States at the peak of the hippie movement.
• Simply put, people loved the Transporter. Its competitor, Ford’s Econoline, was so ugly it was nicknamed the “hearse.”
• Trips with friends to festivals, into nature, or for good “supplies” to Mexico were a daily routine.
• In total, 1,280,000 T1 units were built in various versions.

Technical specifications:

• length 4505 mm, width 1720 mm, height 1960 mm
• curb weight 1285 kg
• Boxer 4 gasoline engine, 1600 cm³ displacement, 35 kW output
• 4 forward gears + 1 reverse
• fuel tank capacity 45 l
• top speed 110 km/h
• fuel consumption 10 l/100 km
• seating 1+8
• max. 3 patients transported

From the Auto Motor und Sport test, 1977:

“The interior is luxurious. Whether you choose the 7- or 9-seat layout, passengers always find ample space. We won’t lavish praise on the driving characteristics, however. The suspension is soft and absorbs bumps well, but the steering is very vague. Even on a straight stretch you must constantly correct your direction. We even suspect the manufacturer has connected the steering to the wheels with a rubber rod. This needs work, especially in crosswinds. Under such conditions it’s advisable to reduce speed and the rubbery effect will partly disappear. The microbus, which seats up to nine people, deserves a more powerful engine. On the motorway we had to stay in third gear. Once you shift into fourth, the engine loses power, but you can then coast on flat or downhill sections.”