Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[A <s>Life</s> Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 <i>*Updated</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/15/a-life-bus-in-pictures-the-volkswagen-bus-turns-60-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/15/a-life-bus-in-pictures-the-volkswagen-bus-turns-60-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/15/a-life-bus-in-pictures-the-volkswagen-bus-turns-60-u/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Volkswagen Bus turns 60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Many automakers will build cars for decades and never create a product that can truly be considered a cultural icon. Few that do produce multiple such models. One of those is Volkswagen.The original Beetle/Bug/Type 1 is recognizable almost anywhere and even by people that know nothing about cars. The Beetle itself spawned another icon in the form of the Type 2 (or Microbus), a vehicle that is celebrating its diamond anniversary in 2010.

Like the original Bug, the Microbus had an air-cooled flat-four cylinder engine hanging off the back of the rear axle. The front seats were moved up over the front axle creating a format that was eventually copied by Ford, Dodge, General Motors and countless Japanese automakers.

Over sixty years, the bus became the ride of choice for surfers, hippies and iconoclasts everywhere. Many surviving examples from the 1960s are still hauling surfboards and Deadheads today. In the 1980s, the third-generation bus morphed into the still-loved but less iconic Vanagon, with emissions standards forcing the adoption of water cooling in 1983. The last of the rear-engined VW vans ceased production in 1992. A tip of the hat to Brooks!

*UPDATED: New photos added and official VW press release available after the jump

Gallery: Volkswagen Bus Turns 60!


[Sources: Volkswagen, Life]

Continue reading A Life Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated

A Life Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Bus turns 60 *Updated originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air-cooledmicrobusType 2Type2vanagonvolkswagenvolkswagen busvolkswagen bus 60th anniversaryvolkswagen microbusVolkswagen Type 2volkswagen vanagonVolkswagenBusVolkswagenBus60thAnniversaryVolkswagenMicrobusVolkswagenType2VolkswagenVanagonVWvw busvw bus 60th anniversaryvw microbusvw type 2vw type iiVwBusVwBus60thAnniversaryVwMicrobusVwType2VwTypeIiMon, 15 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19398578/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/15/a-life-bus-in-pictures-the-volkswagen-bus-turns-60-u/19398578/article-detail.xml 19398578 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/vw-bus-history-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/vw-bus-history-630.jpg <![CDATA[VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to enlarge the five VW Campervans

There are few vehicles which can approach the Volkswagen van for sheer classic presence. Today, early examples of the first-generation models are so desirable that they can fetch more money than any current van on the market. That's mighty impressive for a vehicle which sold for very low prices when new. And who could possibly forget the Campervan conversions which were available right from the factory? Apparently, Volkswagen isn't completely unaware of its illustrious rear-engined past. The automaker has selected five Campervans to take part in a special part in this year's Vanfest, which takes place this month in the U.K. The five winners represent one model from each of the five generations that VW has been selling its commercial vans. Our favorite has got to be the 1966 split-window Transporter, complete with Safari windows. Seriously, as far as Campervans go, it just doesn't get any better than that. Looking at these past designs, we wonder how Volkswagen ended up choosing a restyled Chrysler minivan for its U.S. Routan. They can make up for it, at least a little bit, by cutting its roof off for a proper camping conversion. Yeah... not likely.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display

VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camper vanCamperVanvolkswagenvolkswagen busvolkswagen campervolkswagen sambavolkswagen transportervolkswagen vanvolkswagen vanagonVolkswagenBusVolkswagenCamperVolkswagenSambaVolkswagenTransporterVolkswagenVanVolkswagenVanagonvw camper vanvw type 2vw type iiVwCamperVanVwType2VwTypeIiFri, 05 Sep 2008 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1304657/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/1304657/article-detail.xml 1304657 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/campers_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/campers_450.jpg -1 2