The Pride of the Summer

Hello! As promised in the last post, I will open your eyes to one of the best van/bus/sleeper ever!
Here is the the 1965 VW T1 Splitscreen.

The perfect Weekend vehicle.

In their heydays, these beautiful buses, were a revolutionary design. They were built off of a bread van chassis and platform, they took the engines from the beetles, and then developed the shell from tin.

They have been used and abused, and truly tested beyond most vehicles today. The engines, at first begun to suffer continuous blowouts, as the air cooled system couldn't cope with serious heat. 

You should be able to read the date on the sketch. 1947. They had no idea in 30, 40 years time they would still be doing a fantastic job at creating these buses. 

If you have ever seen Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Italy TV series, All VW enthusiasts, will tell you that this was not a very accurate representation. His bus was not a happy bus at that moment in time. Sometimes, people have mood swings, and, yes, buses can too. I think. 

You may notice more of the VW's from the 70' to 80's. this is due to a massive revelation of the fact that thess buses are awesome. With Splitties selling for up to £60,000, it is understandable that people will choose the cheaper alternative. Enter the 1970's! With the latest release of the VW Transporter in 1971, they came up with another shape and size altogether. The Bay-Window. 

The perfect spot.

This was Fantastic! It wasn't just a van with a bed, you could get 6 people in side to travel in as well!

Plus the pop top, which meant an extra sleeping area, a bigger fridge and sink, and all in an affordable, robust, light-weight van that now came with automatic gearboxes! 

  

Jamie in Italy.

Now crowds started flocking to the beaches, knowing that they could spend up to a week living out of the bus!

Also, people started to take interest in shows and showing off what they did to their campers. These continue on to this day, More and more people get involved every year!

But not all is well. Some people have a habit of ruining these wondervans

How many campers can you see?

That. Is. Ugly.

Poor thing.

Too many of the old school VWs look like this now. With a little bit of time and money it could look good again.

I myself am still looking for one.

When I get one, I shall do a post and tell you my progress.

Well, I shall just have to wait.

Next, American Muscle! 

Safe travel!