How The Type II Started

Ben Pon obtained the dealership rights to import the Beetle into Holland in spring 1946. During a visit to Wolfsburg in April 1947, he noticed the use of flatbed vehicles, known as Plattenwagens.

These were used to transport parts internally around the factory. Initially, he wanted to import these Kubelwagen-based vehicles to Holland but the Dutch bureau of transport would not license them for use on the roads.
Inspired by the Plattenwagen, Pon sketched his idea for a commercial vehicle in his not book. The drawing was very rough but basic dimensions and designs were spot on. Heinz Nordhoff got the design team into action, and in November 1949 the first VW Transporter rolled off the production line: 23rd April 1947 is officially recognised as the date to commemorate the inspiration for the VW Transporter.

Main Specification Changes

Ben Pon, the first Volkswagen importer in the Netherlands, made the first sketch of his idea for a transporter after seeing VW factory flatbed vehicles built on a Beetle floorpan.

Heinrich Nordhoff, Managing Director of Volkswagen werk, gave the go-ahead for development of the Type II VW Transporter.

First prototype blueprints produced. The chosen model had a curve to the front of the cab, without an overhanging roof.

Unitary construction with a subframe was adopted due to difficulties with the unmodified Beetle floorpan.

Other modifications included reduction drivers on the rear axles to give greater transmission ratio and a higher ground clearance.

The VW Type II Transporter was presented to the public for the first time at a press conference on 12 November 1949.

Transporter mass production begins at the Wolfsburg factory with chassis number 20 000 001 (8 March). Kombi production starts, with or without seats (April).

Microbus production starts (June).

Partition introduced between cab and load area (June).

New heat distribution in cab through twin air ducts instead of one as previous (June).

Double acting lever shock absorbers introduced (August).

Three air vents added to upper sides of Panel Van (September).

Rain gutter changed to circulate entire roof (October).

Spare wheel relocated horizontally over engine (October).

Rear interior heating introduced in the Microbus (October).

VW emblem on rear of van discontinued (November).

Restyled drive shaft gasket.

Rear window becomes standard (April).

Continuous headlining now fitted (April).

Front badge now made of sheet metal, not aluminium (April).

Microbus Deluxe (Samba) starts production (June).

Microbus and Deluxe wheelarches now covered with felt (June).

Additional bottom plates on vehicles with sunroots and on vehicles with doors on both sides (June).

On Panel Van, air slits lengthened to 3BOmm (August).

Front jack point moved from bottom plate to outriggers (August

Ambulance production starts at VW works, formerly built by Miesen (December).

Kombi now available with sliding roof.

Van available with cargo doors both sides.

Suspension struts adjusted.

Protective cover introduced for carburettor spring.

Heat exchangers altered.

Spare wheel strap now made of textile not leather (February).

Two rear red warning reflectors introduced replacing single reflector on left hand side (March).

Sliding partition between load area and storage above engine compartment (Panel Van and Kombi only) discontinued (Mard

Microbus and Deluxe get extra ashtray, now four in total (Apri

Mirror arm angled down (July).

Pick-Up starts production (August).

Fuel filler neck now 8Omm, previously l2Omm (August).

V Belt included in spares kit (October).

Horn button more dome shaped (December).

Oil bath air cleaner fitted with strap (December). Two wing mirrors available as an option.

Pivoting quarter light windows replace piano hinged windows (January).

Heater knob now rotary operation, previously pull-out (January).

Starter button now metal not Bakelite (January).

28 PCI Carb replaces 26VFIS (January).

Horn relocated from side panel to cross member (February).

Smooth semaphores replace ribbed version (March).

Rear light lenses domed, previously flat (March).

Deluxe now has rear bumper as standard (March).

Gear synchro introduced on 2nd to 4th gears (March).

Number of teeth on 3rd and 4th gear cogs changed (March).

'Behr' air scoop available as an optional extra (March).

Pick-Up side gates have new stamped rreinforcing mouldings, formerly plain (November).

Panel Van, Kombi and Microbus have rear bumpers as standard (December).

Generator uprated from 130 to 160 watts (December).

Backwards style speedometer replaced by conventional design, now reads up to 100lph, previously 80 kph (December).

30bhp engine introduced with 1192cc capacity, compression 6.1:1 and trough-shaped piston crowns (December).

Rear view mirror hung slightly lower in cab.

Ribbed rubber mat new for cab floor.

Longer handbrake lever.

Speedometer cable with plkastic covering.

Tilted arrangement of brake shoe return springs.

Pick-Up gets rear bumper as standard (April).

Ambulance gets 'Behr' scoop and fuel guage as standard (April).

Stronger springs in driver's seat (May).

V belt dropped from tool kit (August)

Later in year 30bhp engine gets flat piston crowns and flat cylinder heads, to give compression ratio of 6.6:1.

All engines fitted with oil bath air filter.

Major changes in March when Transporter completely revamped.

Body now features an overhang above the windscreen, fibreboard headlining on cab ceiling and adjustable fresh air ventilator system in cab roof.

At the rear, the 'barndoor' engine lid was replaced by a smaller lid. This change was prompted by the need for better rear access, for loading and an improved cooling system which allowed the engine compartment height to be lowered.

Rear tailgate on all models, operated by 'T' handle.

Nine air vents (was eight) on rear sides which are 40mm shorter.

Bus and Panel Van have fuel tank moved from above engine to above back axle.

Fuel filler now on the outside of the vehicle and spare wheel relocated from the engine compartment to behind driver's seat.

Reserve fuel tap moves from engine compartment to cab.

All models have full width dashboard as standard.

Redesigned instrument display.

Cab floor inclined at front. Accelerator pedal changed from 'foot' shape to rectangular shape and clutch and brake pedals altered.

Indicator switch moves from dashboard to steering column.

Loading compartment enlarged.

15 inch wheels become standard.

New two spoke steering wheel instead of three spoke.

Hydraulic steering damper.

Greater spring pitch on rear wheels.

Diameter of torsion bar decreased.

Rear telescopic shock absorbers with progressive action.

Rear axle lengthened.

Redesigned front axle and suspension with telescopic shock absorbers.

Improved braking system.

Battery anchorage by quick release belt.

Rear lights flat with integral reflectors and chrome rim.

Loading door handle has integral lock (March)

Starter ignition switch combined as single unit (March).

Seven seater walkthrough bus starts production (February).

VW Transporter production begins at Hanover (8 March).

Fuel filler flap has two rubber bungs replacing seal (October).

External rear view mirrors mounted on both sides, previously optional (October).

Higher tension coil.

Improved starter performance.

Increased spring resistance in carburettor top valve.

Rear view wing mirror arm lowered by 6Omm (March).

USA models get combined brake and tail lights (April).

88AH battery fitted for Arctic cUmates (June).

Self cancelling indicators (September).

Gear shift lever sealed in tube and covered with rubber sheath.

Cover plate on starter pinion gear.

Start of 1958 Model Year 1/8/57.

Fire truck and Ambulance get combined switch system for blue light and siren (January). Ambulance gets hinged opening rear window (February).

Central brake light dropped - brake lights incorporated in larger tail lights with separate chrome rim (May).

Suppressors fitted to distributor and spark plugs (June).

Underside given additional paint protection (June).

Sunroof now made of PVC (June).

Beige Grey replaces Chestnut Brown as standard upper body colour on Sealing Wax Red Deluxe (July).

Stronger cab door handles, lock area slightly recessed, previously flush (August).

Ribbed profile bumpers replaced with heavier guage plain bumpers, with overriders for USA and Canada (August).

Recessed door handle for loading compartment (August).

Upholstered sunvisor for Microbus and Deluxe (August).

New upholstery for front and rear seats (August).

Sprung passenger seat (August).

Overriders and bows fitted to bumpers of vehicles exported to USA and Canada (September).

Double Cab factory production starts, formerly only available as a special model built by Binz from October 1953 (November).

Rear lights mounted l2mm lower (December).

New number plate light.

Larger and more robustly upholstered plastic arm rests.

Fuel pump output increased.

Fuel pump with filtration sieve.

Softer gear shift linkage

Starting handle no longer in tool kit.

Start of 1959 Model Year 1/11/58.

Redesigned engine with removable dynamo pedestal (May).

Synchromesh on all gears (May).

Plastic clips (was conduit) hold plug leads on fan housing (May).

New gearbox with one piece casing (May).

Generator output increased to 180 watts (June).

Hub cap remover tool now in toolkit (June).

Gear lever and handbrake moved forward by l5Dmm (August).

Door locks modified.

Sun roof slide rails modified.

New exhaust system.

Low heat spark plugs.

Acid level indicator on battery.

Fuel pump redesigned.

Start of 1960 model year 30/9/59.

Improved wiper blade pressure, more powerful motor (March).

New flashing indicators, bullet style at front (June).

34bhp 1192cc engine introduced with automatic choke on Solex 28 pict carburettor. Compression ratio increased to 7.0:1 (June).

Ignition timing now 109 BTDC, previously 7.5o (June).

Fuse box located under parcel shelf, transparent cover, uprated from 6 to 8 fuses for asymetrical low beam headlights, (June).

Plug and socket connectors fitted to electrical leads (June).

Interior cab door handles white, previously chrome, except Deluxe (August).

Bench seat now adjustable (October).

Loading door hinges repositioned closer together (29 December).

Strengthened and restyled bumpers now standard for all models.

Speedometer range 0-l20kph.

Rubber protective cap for fuel tap.

Air filter with warmup system.

Non-repeat lock on ignition starter switch.

Flexy dash grab handle for all models now standard (April).

Driver's door pocket discontinued, church key holder on front panel (April).

Green replaces red turn signal operating light (July).

Speedometer housing more rounded (July).

Fish eye front indicator lenses for US (August).

New bigger rear light lenses with separate amber (red in US) indicator segment (August).

Fuel guage as standard, reserve knob discontinued (August).

Two sunvisors standard for all models (August).

High roof model available (September).

Column mounted, key operated starter switch.

Tailgate has half-moon recess above 'T' handle.

Deeper spare wheel well recess and spare wheel now mounted with clip, bolt and wing nut (January).

Seat belt mounting points now standard on all models with divided seat (April).

Wheel arch shape changes, rear ones have reinforcement lip whilst front arches slightly thinner (July).

Bench seat in cab replaced by split seat, an idea previously thrown out by technical department in 1949 (August).

Volkswagen tailscript badge added to middle of hinge hanger for engine lid (October).

MPH speedometers get gear change speed markers, available from July 1963 in US (October).

Spare wheel well plastic cover for walkthrough models (December).

Spark plug connectors fitted with plastic caps (December).

Headlight housing now flatter, increasing leg room (December).

Driver's seat now adjustable.

Heating improved.

Clutch size increased to 2OOmm from l8Omm.

Modified fan housing and fan shape giving increased cooling.

Air now heated in heat exchangers rather than by cylinders.

Brake fluid reservoir now transparent plastic (formerly Aluminium).

Start of 1963 model year (Export) 30/7/62.

Start of 1963 model year (Germany) 1/10/62.

Generator output uprated to 200 watts (January).

10 engine bay air intake vents now point inwards instead of previous 9 outward facing vents (March).

Spring loaded props fitted to engine compartment lid and fuel filler flap (March).

Sliding door (M161) becomes a standard option, previously special order only (April).

Wider tailgate with larger window (August).

Tailgate opens with pushbutton, finger recess in hinge carrier panel (August).

Larger 'fish eye' style front indicators replace bullet style indicators (August).

All vans available as 1 tonners with 42bhp, 1493cc engines, compression 7.8:1 (August) - engine available from January.

Vinyl headlining for Microbus and Deluxe (October).

ID plate moves from engine bay to right hand side of cab air ventilator (November).

Oil bath air cleaner moves to right hand side of engine (November).

Push button operation of cab door handles replaces the pull style door handles (December).

Cab door trim held by clips, formerly screws (December).

More substantial loading door handle (December).

l200cc engine gets new 'fresh air' heat exchangers.

14 inch wheels become standard.

Strengthened back axles.

Improved brakes with independent front/rear tandem master cyUnder.

Stronger brakes and tyres for 1 ton van.

Volkswagen tailscript badge relocated to left hand side of tailgate.

Smaller Bosch coil fitted, also smaller distributor.

Start of 1964 model year 5/8/63