Volkswagen Type 2 T1 Transporter
A clever little work van that grew into one of the friendliest shapes on wheels.
1950 Volkswagen Type 2 T1 panel-van display vehicle. · Walter Vermeir · CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
The first production Type 2 Transporters rolled out of Wolfsburg on March 8, 1950. Volkswagen called the new model the Type 2 because the Beetle was Type 1. The earliest version was a panel van built for work, with a big boxy cargo space and a small 25 PS engine at the rear. Later passenger and camping versions helped make the T1 an international icon.
Look a little closer.
The famous name “Bulli” began as an unofficial nickname; the first official name was Transporter.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Not just a Beetle with a box
Early ideas used the Beetle platform, but Volkswagen gave the Transporter its own reinforced floor structure. The company still borrowed the Beetle’s engine and gearbox, combining familiar machinery with a body made for cargo.
Source: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles · 60 years of the Transporter ↗A van that kept changing jobs
The first body was a windowless panel van. A glazed Kombi followed in April 1950, and passenger and special-purpose versions came later. The same basic shape could deliver bread, carry a family or become a tiny holiday home.
Source: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles · 75 years of the Bulli ↗Where these facts come from
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles · 60 years of the Transporter
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles · 75 years of the Bulli
- Volkswagen Newsroom · Type 2 design history
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.