The Great Volkswagen Transporter Story
In this article, Run A Van invites you to discover or re-discover the history of the mythical Volkswagen Transporter.
The Volkswagen Transporter is a commercial vehicle of the German brand Volkswagen.
Since its release in April 1950, six generations have followed one another: A 73 year history!
Run A Van offers you a little recap of the Transporter adventure.
April 1950: the 1st generation Transporter: the T1
Basically, it is a consumer utility vehicle, the first in history to be produced on a large scale.
Very quickly declined in a "monospace" version with 9 seats and windows, the first "combi" was a worldwide success in the 60s.
It was not until 11 years later, in April 1961, that the company Westfalia was founded and began to produce the famous Westfalia Combi and its many variants in series!
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- 1957 VW T1 Utility
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- VW T1 Bay Window
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- VW T1 WESTFALIA
1967: The next generation: the legendary VW T2 COMBI
It is probably THE most famous transporter which still makes dream the amateurs of authenticity and legend. We are in the middle of the Hippie era and the worldwide success of this van is just beginning! There will be 2 phases on the T2 with the T2a and the T2b
VW T2 WESTFALIA Peace & Love!
1979: the 3rd generation Transporter: T3
At the dawn of the 80's, Volkswagen modernizes its transporter in this T3 version. Less roundness but some evolutions with the appearance of the diesel engine.
10 years of undivided reign on the world of the van with in particular the famous JOKER.
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- VW T3 Bus and Westfalia. First phase with round headlights inherited from the T2
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- VW T3 Westfalia Joker. Second phase with the rectangular headlights that foreshadow the arrival of the T4
1990: The advent of the 4th generation Transporter: the T4
The release of the T4 marks a break in VW history. The engine moves to the front and is modernized with a wide range of more powerful and robust diesel engines.
A second revolution arrived in 1997 on the T4 phase 2: the TDI engine and its flagship model: the 2.5 TDI 102hp 5-cylinder. This is the model you can rent at Run A Van. The most reliable and robust engine that exists. The design is also revised with the so-called "long nose" in opposition to the phase 1 called "short nose".
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- VW T4 Phase 1 in 1990
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- VW T4 Phase 2 from Run A Van!
When you choose a T4 California, you are renting a 20 year old van!
2003: T4 gives way to T5
With a definitely more modern design, the T5 has a hard time being a worthy successor to the T4! Volkswagen innovates again with smaller, more modern but less reliable engines.
With the 2nd phase of the T5, the manufacturer has revised its copy and we find robust and reliable vans.
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- VW T5 California Phase 1
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- VW T5 California Phase 2
2015: The 6th generation Transporter comes to market.
With its aggressive lines and on-board technology, the T6 is a top performer!
In 2019, a T6 facelift launches the latest generation of Transporter the T6.1! The must have van you can rent at Run A Van!
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- VW T6 California Phase 1
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- VW T6.1 California from Run A Van!
Volkswagen has announced the end of the T6.1 for 2024...
The T7 will be a new breakthrough in the great Transporter epic with a relocation of production and a co-build with Ford on the basis of the Transit. And it will be all electric!
Is it good or bad for the planet? Vast debate!
A new page is being written... To be continued!
To rent a van it's here!
