Volkswagen Type 2 (Bus / Microbus) History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Launched in 1950 on a Beetle-derived platform, the rear-engined Type 2 Transporter became the definitive small van and, as the Microbus and Westfalia camper, a 1960s counterculture icon.
US-market air-cooled buses ran through the split-windshield 'T1' (to 1967) and 'Bay Window' 'T2' (1968 onward) eras; the air-cooled US Bus was replaced by the water-boxer Vanagon. Source note: Wikipedia "Volkswagen Type 2" — Bay Window T2 last US MY1979 (German production ended Aug 1979).
Body styles
- Van
- Microbus
- Kombi
- Pickup
- Camper (Westfalia)
Notable special editions & performance variants
Westfalia Camper
Factory-authorized camper conversion by Westfalia — the original VW camper van.
Related models
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