There are few vehicles out there that have gained the same level of acclaim as the VW Transporter, which recently turned 65 years old! It’s a classic with many nicknames and it remains a sought after van even after all these decades.

When the Transporter was drawn up in a pencil sketch, circa 1947, the designer pulled styling cues from the Volkswagen Beetle, but thought up a vehicle with a larger layout that would have room for up to eight passengers. The first production model had removable rear seats, a 1100 air-cooled engine and unique split windshield.

Not even a decade after its debut, the Transporter was beloved by so many people that Volkswagen had a hard time keeping up with demand. In fact, to meet demand for the T1, which is identified by its “widow’s peak” front-end design, Volkswagen had to open up a new manufacturing facility specifically for it.

As noted above, during the course of the Transporter’s career, it was a vehicle that gained endearing monikers - maybe more than any other vehicle in history - with nicknames including Microbus, Bulli, Kombi and simply the Bus.

“The production launch of the T1 represented the beginning of a long success story that has lasted right up to today. In the past, as well as the present, there is market demand for extremely reliable, versatile and individual vehicles,” said Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.