Words About Things

This year Volkswagen will celebrate the 60th year of their iconic Transporter van. For those unaware of the Transporter: picture a Hippie in flares and purple sunglasses, see that used van behind him? That’s a Type 2 Transporter. The original T1 was actually released in 1950 but the design was completed in 1949. It’s successor the T2 is actually still in production in Brazil meaning that the VW Transporter range has actually constantly had vans for sale for almost 60 years.

The original sketches for the Transporter were based on an enlarged Beetle and were created by Ben Pon who was a Volkswagen importer from Holland. The design was improved by Volkswagen’s designers who made it more(!) aerodynamic.

The current version of the Transporter is the T5 which is significantly different to the T1 as you would expect for a model that was released 54 years later. The T5 is a hard working commercial vehicle and not the sort of thing you would expect to see a surfboard sticking out of. Volkswagen California vans are perhaps a closer relation as it is the latest Volkswagen campervan.

It’s impossible to know if any variation of the Transporter will still be around in 60 years time. If it is it will certainly of changed a lot. Perhaps it will be completely eco-friendly and run on sunlight? As long as it has some of the individuality and charm of the original Transporter people will buy it.

Volkswagen have launched a new site to celebrate their reputation as van makers of choice for those with an eye for adventure. The popularity of their camper vans with surfers and other outdoor types is clear to see, particularly in the summer time.

The site VWescape.co.uk is tied in with a series of summer events including the GoldCoast Oceanfest in Devon and the Blackheath Bike and Kite Festival in London. At the these events people will be able to have a look at some of the Volkswagen vans for sale the Caravelle and the California.

There will also be a chance to look around some split screen camper vans that will no doubt be out and about this summer. The used vans seem to all come out of the woodwork once the sun is shining!

The government recently unveiled car scrappage scheme is proving popular particularly with older drivers. The scheme was introduced to try to kick start the sales of new cars whilst reducing the amount of old cars on the road. In order to tempt drivers to update they have offered £2000 discount on a new car to those who scrap a car that is over 10 years old.

So far the scheme is proving most popular with retired drivers with fixed incomes. They often feel that as they are not receiving much in the way of interest on their savings them might as well invest in a new car.

Smaller, cheaper to run models such as the Citroen C1 are the most asked about so far suggesting that most drivers are concerned about ongoing fuel costs.