Volkswagen T2b Bus COBI 24362 - Young Timers 1:12

Did you know:

• While wild, rusty scraps called the Barkas were tearing along East German roads, Volkswagen was already preparing the second generation of the legendary Transporter. Its true origin, however, lies in the Netherlands.
• The foundation for the legendary Transporter was laid by Dutch Volkswagen dealer Ben Pon, who noticed supply carts with the cargo bed in front and a cabin behind on the assembly lines. In post‑war Europe, vehicles of all kinds were in short supply, so the enterprising Mr. Pon began offering these supply carts to his customers. Demand was enormous, but Dutch authorities refused to approve a vehicle in which the driver sat behind the cargo. That did not deter Ben. He cut up a period leaflet, glued a picture of a cabin in front of the cargo area onto a blank sheet of paper, and marched into Volkswagen’s offices.
• VW management reviewed the concept and approved it. Thus was born a legend that is still in production today in its seventh generation.
• Series production of the T2 began in the summer of 1967. Volkswagen could not keep up with demand. In the first months after launch, the manufacturer recorded tens of thousands of orders. Production capacity had to be increased to 270 units per day. By comparison, East German Barkas managed to build in 30 years roughly what VW produced in just 1½ years.
• The vehicle’s construction was simple and reliable. To the standard panel van were gradually added a flatbed, Kombi, microbus, Caravelle, ambulance, and the Samba version with a folding canvas roof.
• The microbus was offered in several interior layouts. The most popular was the version with eight passenger seats plus the driver.
• In the ’70s, its rounded shapes were truly uplifting. Everyone liked the van, but it became a bona fide cult vehicle in the United States at the height of the Hippie movement’s fame.
• Simply put, people loved the Transporter. Ford’s competing Econoline was so ugly it was nicknamed the “hearse.”
• Trips with friends to festivals, into nature, or for good “material” in Mexico were a daily occurrence.
• In total, more than 3,000,000 T2 units were built across all versions.

Technical specifications:

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

From Car & Driver magazine test 1972:

“The last time we tested the Volkswagen Transporter was in autumn 1969. What has changed since the previous version? Primarily the shape of the front bumper, which is no longer extended to the sides, so the Transporter has lost its entry step. Most of the innovations hide inside. The T2b has a new steering column with a safety deformable section. The manufacturer apparently learned its lesson, and drivers are no longer at risk of impalement on a long steering shaft in a frontal collision. If a fire followed the puncturing of the fuel tank, the unfortunate driver used to end up like a marshmallow at a scout camp. Fortunately, that no longer happens. The rear pillar has also been reinforced…”