Feature
Volkswagen Camper Vans: From Splitties To The ID.Buzz
There are few vehicles more iconic than the Volkswagen Camper Van - the first of which hit the roads in 1947. Auto Trader’s Tom Roberts takes a closer look at the history and future of the world’s favourite camper vans.
Words by: Tom Roberts
Published on 21 December 2023 | 0 min read
There are few vehicles more iconic than the Volkswagen Camper Van - the first of which hit the roads in 1947. Auto Trader’s Tom Roberts takes a closer look at the history and future of the world’s favourite camper vans.
Volkswagen Camper Vans are something of a pop icon for freedom, adventure and the great outdoors. In the zeitgeist they sit as perfectly on American highways as they do in the British countryside or pulling up to beaches packed with surfers. Designed in 1947 by Ben Pon, Volkswagen (sometimes abbreviated to VW) has been manufacturing camper vans since 1950 in an increasing variety of sizes, colours, and formats. In fact, VW vehicles of all shapes and sizes – including the Crafter large vans and Caddy small vans - have been turned into campervans. And now, with the dawn of the electric vehicle and the launch of the company’s new ID.Buzz Multi Person Vehicle (MPV) and Panel Van, one cannot help but wonder what the future holds. Before we dive in, we are offering you the chance to win your very own Volkswagen ID.Buzz MPV in January. Simply head to the electric MPV giveaway entry page and fill in the form. Now, with that said, let us start at the beginning to discover how Volkswagen campervans became so iconic.
Volkswagen Camper Vans are something of a pop icon for freedom, adventure and the great outdoors. In the zeitgeist they sit as perfectly on American highways as they do in the British countryside or pulling up to beaches packed with surfers. Designed in 1947 by Ben Pon, Volkswagen (sometimes abbreviated to VW) has been manufacturing camper vans since 1950 in an increasing variety of sizes, colours, and formats. In fact, VW vehicles of all shapes and sizes – including the Crafter large vans and Caddy small vans - have been turned into campervans. And now, with the dawn of the electric vehicle and the launch of the company’s new ID.Buzz Multi Person Vehicle (MPV) and Panel Van, one cannot help but wonder what the future holds. Before we dive in, we are offering you the chance to win your very own Volkswagen ID.Buzz MPV in January. Simply head to the electric MPV giveaway entry page and fill in the form. Now, with that said, let us start at the beginning to discover how Volkswagen campervans became so iconic.
1950 - The Splitties
After the original design was fleshed out, a production model was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 1949, with the first Type 2 Volkswagen Camper Vans rolling off the production line in 1950 at a rate of 10 per day.
The first generation was affectionately known as ‘Splitties’ due to their split front windscreens, which featured two windows side by side. Overnight, the market exploded and demand for the vehicle rocketed, unlike the vehicle itself which was powered by a 25bhp rear air-cooled engine (many of original campervans are refitted with newer engines, making those packing the original engines something of a collector’s item). 1963 saw the addition of the iconic side sliding door - just a little trivia there. I could hardly believe it when I found out, but over the first 5 years of production over 90 different body combinations of the Type 2 including panel vans, buses, milk floats, beer wagons, fire engines and the well-known camper van. In 1967, Volkswagen would retire the ‘Splitties’ after manufacturing 1.5m.
The first generation was affectionately known as ‘Splitties’ due to their split front windscreens, which featured two windows side by side. Overnight, the market exploded and demand for the vehicle rocketed, unlike the vehicle itself which was powered by a 25bhp rear air-cooled engine (many of original campervans are refitted with newer engines, making those packing the original engines something of a collector’s item). 1963 saw the addition of the iconic side sliding door - just a little trivia there. I could hardly believe it when I found out, but over the first 5 years of production over 90 different body combinations of the Type 2 including panel vans, buses, milk floats, beer wagons, fire engines and the well-known camper van. In 1967, Volkswagen would retire the ‘Splitties’ after manufacturing 1.5m.
1968 - The Bay
With the retirement of the ‘Splitties’, VW launched a new-look camper van design called ‘The Bay’.
In 1968, what is now called the ‘Early Bay’ was launched with a fresh look and single windscreen pane, it featured new suspension, new engines, wind-down windows, and entirely new body panels. And in 1973, the ‘Late Bay’ design further refined the ‘Early Bay’ with a new bumper design, new front end, and even larger engines! It was also packed with new safety technology including reinforced passenger seating, a crumple zone for impacts and better brakes.
In 1968, what is now called the ‘Early Bay’ was launched with a fresh look and single windscreen pane, it featured new suspension, new engines, wind-down windows, and entirely new body panels. And in 1973, the ‘Late Bay’ design further refined the ‘Early Bay’ with a new bumper design, new front end, and even larger engines! It was also packed with new safety technology including reinforced passenger seating, a crumple zone for impacts and better brakes.
1979 - T25
While ‘The Bay’ is still made in South America, it was replaced as a mass-market model in 1979 by the ‘T25’ model featuring another innovative design and boxier look. In 1981, the T25 was updated with a new water-cooled diesel engine that was first used in the company’s iconic Golf. Later that same year, petrol engines were added to the lineup. Fast forward to 1985 and substantial updates were made - over 1000 - including better suspension, locks for the sliding door, better fuel injection systems and a four-wheel drive version was also created.
If you have always fancied owning one, you can find T25 Camper Vans on Auto Trader.
If you have always fancied owning one, you can find T25 Camper Vans on Auto Trader.
1990 - T4
We are racing into the modern age of Volkswagen camper vans now, and with the T25 retired from mass manufacturing, it was replaced by the T4. A medium van, the T4 became a front-wheel-drive vehicle offering drivers a more modern and luxury experience.
And, if you have always wanted to own one, you can find T4 Campervans on Auto Trader.
And, if you have always wanted to own one, you can find T4 Campervans on Auto Trader.
2003 - T5
With the creation of a new medium van platform, VW stopped using the T4 and moved to the T5 platform. The Caravelle model of the T5 is the one you are most likely to see on the road today, although MPV and beach models are just as popular. You would be hard pushed to visit any UK beach in summer and NOT see one of these vehicles. It was upgraded in 2009 with a new engine, new transmission and the excellent DSG gearbox (which was heavily used by Audi, notably in its first TT sports car).
You can find T5 Camper Vans on Auto Trader.
You can find T5 Camper Vans on Auto Trader.
2015 - T6
So, I am a van fan (van geek), and for me the T6 is more of an update to the T5 rather than a completely new platform. You will see these on UK roads, but as attention began to turn to electric vehicles, the T5s are still more plentiful.
You will find T6 Camper Vans on Auto Trader.
You will find T6 Camper Vans on Auto Trader.
2017 To Now - ID.Buzz
The launch of the ID.Buzz is a watershed moment - I believe - in the history of VW camper vans. Not only does it take a lot of its design cues from the first camper vans, but it is also an incredibly modern electric vehicle that really stands out from the crowd. If you see an ID.Buzz, I will bet your first reaction will be how nice it looks – and you are not wrong, the split colour schemes ranging from yellows, whites and blues to greens and metallic paints are carefully contrasted to make this vehicle look classy.
Powered by a 77kWh battery providing a range of around 200 miles on a single charge, the ID.Buzz provides a very usable travel distance for drivers. The vehicle is also rapid-charge capable, meaning that 200 miles allows you to cover a lot of ground before stopping for a coffee, toilet break and charging session. It is available as standard in either an MPV or panel van version, making it as good a choice for a head-turning business as it is an eco-friendly family. In fact, anyone looking to make the switch to leaner, greener driving should take a serious look at the ID.Buzz. While VW has not yet confirmed an official camper van version manufactured centrally, conversion shops are already turning this quirky vehicle into fully equipped caravelles with kitchens, dining rooms, sleeping spaces, showers, and storage.
Powered by a 77kWh battery providing a range of around 200 miles on a single charge, the ID.Buzz provides a very usable travel distance for drivers. The vehicle is also rapid-charge capable, meaning that 200 miles allows you to cover a lot of ground before stopping for a coffee, toilet break and charging session. It is available as standard in either an MPV or panel van version, making it as good a choice for a head-turning business as it is an eco-friendly family. In fact, anyone looking to make the switch to leaner, greener driving should take a serious look at the ID.Buzz. While VW has not yet confirmed an official camper van version manufactured centrally, conversion shops are already turning this quirky vehicle into fully equipped caravelles with kitchens, dining rooms, sleeping spaces, showers, and storage.
WIN A Volkswagen ID.Buzz In Our Free-To-Enter January Electric MPV Giveaway
If you want to be in with a chance to win your very own ID.Buzz MPV, head to the electric MPV giveaway entry page and fill in the form – it could not be easier.
You can read our Volkswagen ID.Buzz review for more information about this quirky electric MPV. The ID.Buzz is also available as a panel van light commercial vehicle, and you can read more about that version of this funky vehicle in our ID.Buzz Cargo review. Can't wait? You can also have a look through the Auto Trader marketplace and find your perfect Volkswagen Camper Van today.
You can read our Volkswagen ID.Buzz review for more information about this quirky electric MPV. The ID.Buzz is also available as a panel van light commercial vehicle, and you can read more about that version of this funky vehicle in our ID.Buzz Cargo review. Can't wait? You can also have a look through the Auto Trader marketplace and find your perfect Volkswagen Camper Van today.