VW TYPE 2 T2

Introduced in 1968, the T2 made an immediate break with the tradition of the transporter by taking away the split windscreen, which was the trademark of the former model. This model was known as the bay window or bread loaf because of its larger and heavier build and a more block like shape. The appearance is a lot different and with the new curved bay window had more benefits for the owners. The improvements to the cargo capacity and load carrying ability meant the new model was looking into the future rather than past. The T2 was put into production in the Hanover factory, with new modifications and tests done in the factory it was released to market in the late 1970s. In 1971 more improvements were made on the vehicle. This particular model was in production in Germany until 1979 when it was moved to Mexico and then again to Brazil in 1996 where the popularity of the T2 grew. From 1971-1976 the T2 had a lot of work and improvements
2 VW Through the Years

VW TYPE 2 T2 H IS T O R Y
done to it throughout the years to make it the best VW Volkswagen had created and the vehicle in the fore front of automobile. By 1975 one million VW microbuses had been produced. The 1970s were the best era for the Microbus, the bus was now playing a large part in the youth movement, being a cult symbol. The youth saw the VW as a way to represent anti-materialism, a liberation from social restrictions, sexual freedom and a new ability to travel and meet new people based on something other than family or workplace. This brought a break through in racial and class attitudes. The T2 was replaced by a new model and a very different ethos hit the society with this model. However this model of the T2 didnt die out, it was developed in South America further and a new model of the T2 was released in 1991. This model had a much greater interior space as it incorporated a popup roof. The T2 isnt as popular with the enthusiasts today, mainly because of the change in aesthetics from the T1, but the T2 brought development of new technology to the automobile world and the way in which the microbuses were manufactured. The interior of the bus was also improved to make a more spacious and comfortable area to use, but as said before the aesthetics of the T2 were the let down.

VW Through the Years

The T2 Panel Van was again the first model of this new generation and the model in which the rest were based on. There are the similarities between this and the previous generation but the main aesthetical change is the windscreen, as the splitscreen was lost and the bay window was brought in, giving this generation the name bay window. This vehicle was popular with companies and working trade as they could carry all the goods and equipment in the huge cargo area (which was expanded from the first generation) and know they have a well trusted vehicle.

VW Through the Years

VW TYPE 2 T2 PANEL VAN

VW Through the Years

VW TYPE 2 PICK UP T2

Single cab and double cab T2 Pick ups were available from the beginning of the new T2 generation. With more improvements on this model it became a more robust vehicle and was suited even more to the working trade, who were the ones that bought it the most. As you can see in the photo this model also came with extras like the canvas cover, perfect to cover goods whilst in transit.
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VW TY PE 2 T2 MI CR OB US

The Microbus was launced in 1967 and took the public by storm, even with the aesthetical change, it was a big hit amongst families and travellers. Not only that but it became a symbol for the Hippie Culture, as the vehicle was big and could transport alot of passengers at once, it suited them and led them along their care free life.
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The conversions were down to the customers themselves, depending on what they wanted and what suited them, you could have quite a minimalistic but very stylish conversion like the one above or a more practical one. Even with the aesthetics changing from the previous model, this was a massive hit with the public and became the vehicle of the hippy movement.

VW TY PE 2 T2 CA MP ER VA N
As you can see from the photo of the Microbus, the T2 Campervan was converted from that model, with the added Westfalia roof, it added that extra head height so you could stand up inside the camper and also giving extra sleeping arrangements because most conversions included using the space in the pop up roof as sleeping area.
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