Car ( Or in this case, Bus ): Volkswagen Type 2 ( Bus )
Year: 1975
What makes it special: Volkswagen’s Type 2, known officially depending on body type as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, or, informally, as the Bus in the US or Camper in the UK, is a forward control panel van introduced in 1950 by the German automaker as its second car model, following and initially deriving from Volkswagen’s first model, the Type 1 Beetle, giving it the factory designation of Type 2. In late 1967, the second generation of the Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) was introduced. It was built in Germany until 1979. Models before 1971 are often called the T2a or “Early Bay”, while models after 1972 are called the T2b or “Late Bay”.
What made it famous: This second-generation Type 2 lost its distinctive split front windshield, and was slightly larger and considerably heavier than its predecessor. The T2b was introduced by way of gradual change over three years. The first models featured rounded bumpers incorporating a step for use when the door was open replaced by indented bumpers without steps on later models, front doors that opened to 90° from the body, no lip on the front guards, unique engine hatches, and crescent air intakes in the D-pillars. By 1974, the T2 had gained its final shape. In 1972, for the 1973 model year, exterior revisions included relocated front turn indicators, squared off and set higher in the valance, above the headlights. Also, square-profiled bumpers, which became standard until the end of the T2 in 1979, were introduced in 1973. The 1975 and later U.S. model years received Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection as standard equipment; the Type 4 engine was enlarged to 1.8 L and 50 kW DIN.
Why I would want one: Though they’re no street threat to anyone ( except maybe racing a jogger), they are just fun to drive, and make you smile when you see them.
Fun fact: Like the Beetle, the van has received numerous nicknames worldwide, including the “microbus”, “minibus,” and, because of its popularity during the counterculture movement of the 1960’s, “Hippie Van/Bus” has become its most popular.
