Guide to the VW Campervan development

Having been introduced in March 1950 it was not long before the merits of the VW Transporter and Microbus where established as a basic shell from which to create the ideal camper van. In its early form the transporter was a bare shell van during the working week and at weekends the box section interior could be introduced to create a camping vehicle for families to use and enjoy.

This flexibility led to many individuals and companies to develop individual interiors to meet there own or a perceived markets needs. Over the intervening years since 1950 there have been over 40 differing types and designs of interior commercially produced. There have also been countless variations made by individual owners who have taken from or added to a design as there needs changed. This then creates many more variations of interior design.

There have been variations and development to the basic VW box platform and each introduction of a new model has brought with it its own design changes

1957 -1967 Saw the dawn of the classic VW campervan with the introduction of the split screen van. By far the most prolific developer of interiors for this model was Westfalia. The early theme was of a camping box. Self contained units which could be removed and stored whilst the vehicle was used as a van but re instated when the need to use it as a camper was met

This early concept soon led to the development of the camper “proper” ie an interior that was designed and fitted intending to be permanent. Westfalia quickly set the standard that other sought to follow.The UK was slightly behind Germany in its desire to convert the VW transporter or bus. It was not until 1960 that proper commercial conversion took place in the UK by Peter Pitt. However the brand name to dominate the early conversions was the “Devon”. Other versions appeared and Westfalia, Danbury, Devon and Dormobile became household names.

VW Split Screen Campervans

The Next Generation 1968 – 1979 Following the huge success of its early vans VW introduced its type 2 or Bay Window van in August 1967. Its significant change was its one piece curved windscreen which was quickly nicknamed a bay window for obvious reasons. It was slightly larger and quickly established itself as a platform for campervan interiors of much better quality and design. Elevating roofs although introduced in the early 1960’s became much more fashionable. More creative designs with pull out beds attracted a larger audience as campervans were no longer seen as “roughing it”. The need for greater space led to developments in raised rooftops and new names came to the market place such as Viking, Holdsworth and Sheldon. Cost and fashion led to the traditional wood interiors to be replaced by melamine and laminates. New gaudy or should I say trendy colours were introduced. A greater demand led to mass production from commercial companies whose profit margins led to a reduction in quality of finish for some models.

VW Bay Window Campervans

1980 – 1990 Saw the introduction of the T3 but more frequently referred to as the T25. This third generation VW was a complete change in terms of luxury and refinement. Its customer base now had greater leisure time and higher incomes and required a standard of luxury never seen before in a VW Campervan. As well as the marked improvement in its drive and performance interior fitments now included gas or electric fridges, mains hook-ups for camp sites, swivelling seats for driver nad passenger and levels of trim more akin to luxury caravans than the tradition van converted to a camper for the weekend!

VW T25 (T3) Campervans

Later Generations saw the introduction of the T4 version. The level of luxury and fitments stepped up another gear but so did the price. Additions included microwave ovens, dvd, satellite navigation, ovens, showers, and much much more. To many VW enthusiasts this was a stage too far and left the tradition of a camper far behind and became something completely different. This had led to a shift in customer base away from the family and practicality of outdoor living to a completely different customer base. This had led to the appeal of older VW Campers increasing and the cult image to get nothing but stronger with each new development of the VW platform.

VW T4 Campervans