VW Transporter T1 (1950-1967): books - history

Original VW Bus - The Restorer's Guide to All Bus, Panel Van and Pick-up Models, 1950-1979

This book is a complete guide to the Volkswagen Split-screen (1950-1967) and Bay-window (1967-1979) models in their original factory condition.

Extensive research in Germany, the UK, and the USA located vehicles for photography, ensuring accurate details from examples preserved in original condition or carefully restored.
In addition to the standard passenger versions, rarer models are included, such as vans, pick-ups, and double-cab pick-ups.

With over 200 specially commissioned colour photographs of more than 25 vehicles, the book highlights the details that distinguish each model. It is an essential reference for owners, restorers, buyers, and enthusiasts.

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Volkswagen Bus (1950-1990) - Essential Buyer's Guide

Looking for a good Volkswagen Bus? This Essential Buyer's Guide, written by a brand expert, is full of practical advice for purchasing a VW Bus.

Models: T1, T2 and T3.

Years of manufacture: 1950-1990

This Essential Buyer's Guide for the VW Bus helps you find a suitable vehicle at the right price and answers the following questions:

- Walk away or stay? Initial evaluation of a Volkswagen Bus.
- What is the right price? Valuation using a unique scoring system.
- How to check authenticity?
- Which models are most suitable?
- What are the known faults?
- What are the possibilities and impact of a restoration?
- What are the maintenance costs?

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VW Transporter and Microbus - Specification Guide 1950-1967

The VW Transporter, especially the early Split Screen models, has become a cult icon and continues to grow in popularity.

This book provides a complete history of the Split Screen Transporter, produced from 1950 to 1967. Over five years, contributions from Transporter enthusiasts worldwide were gathered to create this unique and detailed publication.

Contents:

- History of the Transporter
- Explanation of all vehicle codes
- Production details
- Month-by-month specification changes
- Complete listing of factory-fitted optional equipment
- Comprehensive guide to paint and trim colours
- Information on exports and Transporters built outside Germany
- Details of Special Models

The book serves as a definitive guide for collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts, offering a thorough reference for understanding and appreciating this iconic vehicle.

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The Story of the VW Transporter Split-Screen Models 1949-1967

From a simple sketch to one of the most recognizable vans in history, the first-generation VW Transporter marked the start of the world's best-selling van. Introduced in November 1949, its cab-forward design, flexibility, and clever engineering quickly made it popular worldwide.

The initial Panel Van evolved into a versatile Pick-up, the revolutionary Kombi, campers, and countless other conversions. Variants included ambulances, mobile shops, school buses, fire trucks, high-roof vans, double-cab pickups, police vans, and even mobile milking units.

Under director Heinz Nordhoff, Volkswagen refined the rear-engine layout inherited from the Beetle, improving early weaknesses and establishing a durable, adaptable platform. The first Transporter was replaced in Germany in 1967, but production in Brazil continued until 1975, and the rear-engine design lasted in South America until 2013.

This book tells the full story of the first-generation Transporter, from late-1940s sketches and prototypes to the final 1967 split-screen models and South American variants. Richard Copping presents every model, variant, and option with extensive period photography and brochure illustrations, making this a detailed and visually rich account of an iconic vehicle.

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VW Bus and Pick-Up- Special Models - SO (Sonderausfuhrungen) and Special Body Variants for the VW Transporter 1950-2010

Since its launch in 1950, the Volkswagen Transporter has become legendary for its versatility and suitability for many commercial uses. Special Models, originally called Sonderausführungen (SO), were usually converted by approved specialists, companies, or coachbuilders.

This book, using archive material, promotional literature, and both historic and contemporary photographs, traces the development and range of SO and other Special Body conversions from 1950 to 2010, covering all five generations from T1 to T5. In addition to officially SO-designated models, many rare and unusual conversions are included, with full photographic features.

Models covered include:
Airport Buses - Ambulances - Binz Double Cab - Brazilian Body Variants - Broadcast Buses - Cherry Pickers - Disaster Vans - Display and Exhibition Buses - Drinks Delivery Vehicles - Electric Buses - Fire Trucks - Half-Track Alpine Bus - Hearses - Ice Cream Vans - Police Vehicles - Ladder Trucks - Low Loader Pick-Ups - Miesen Ambulances - Military Conversions - Mining Buses - Mobile Shops - Money Transporters - Rail Buses - Refrigerator Vans - Tipper Trucks.

This comprehensive reference showcases the creativity and adaptability of the Transporter platform and will appeal to enthusiasts, restorers, and collectors of special Volkswagen models.

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VW Type 2 Transporter - 1949-1967

In this fascinating and engrossing book, VW expert Richard Copping covers the complete history of the first generation VW Transporter or 'Camper'. Beginning with the prototype vehicles produced in 1949, the author covers the development of the innovative but utilitarian Kombi and the more upmarket Micro Bus, followed by the De Luxe Micro Bus, the Ambulance and the Pick-up. He covers the highlights of each vehicle and analyses the success of the range as a whole.

The book covers the revamped model line from 1955, when the success of the VW Transporter called for the building of a whole new factory in Hanover. At this time, due to popular demand, Volkswagen authorised a whole series of coach built variations on the Transporter theme with vehicles as diverse as mobile shops, refrigerated vans and police mobile offices.
The author also covers the revised model introduced in 1963 with its more powerful engine and revised tailgate and rear window as well as the ongoing success of the model in the United States.
By the time German production ended in July 1967, over 1.8 million split-screen, first generation Transporters had been built.

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Der Lastesel des Wirtschaftswunders - Die Geschichte des legendären VW-Transporters 1948-1967

With more than 650 historical photos, Hans J. Schneider takes the reader into the incredibly diverse world of the first series VW Transporter: from baker's van to rolling sales stand, from mining to the Bundesbahn, from money transport to the blood donation service. The accompanying texts also bring an era back to life that today exudes a great deal of nostalgic charm.

An attached documentation then deals in detail with the technology and contains original construction descriptions, chassis numbers, production figures and model maintenance measures.

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VW Bus: Der T1 im Detail (1950 - 1967)

The VW Bus T1 shaped German roads for many years and is regarded as an important symbol of post-war economic growth. Today well-preserved vehicles are rare, and even damaged examples command high prices.

In this thoroughly researched volume, David Eccles, an expert on the VW Bus, documents all technical and equipment changes introduced by Volkswagen to the first transporter generation between 1950 and 1967.

Detailed lists of optional equipment and extras, together with clear colour tables, support comparison of the various model versions. Additional production statistics, including data from foreign plants, complete the overview.

The book helps restorers, buyers and owners check whether a vehicle corresponds to its original condition or contains later, non-original parts.

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VW Bus: Alle Modelle (1950-1990) - Baureihe T1 bis T3 - Praxisratgeber Klassikerkauf

Looking for a good Volkswagen Bus? This buyer's guide, written by a VW expert, gives clear advice for buying a T1, T2 or T3.
Years: 1950-1990

It helps you find the right bus at the right price and answers:
- Walk away or stay? First quick check.
- What's a fair price? Value with a simple scoring system.
- How to check if it's original?
- Which models are best?
- What are common problems?
- What does restoration cost and achieve?
- What are normal running costs?

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VW Transporter T1 (Schrader Typen Chronik)

When the T1 was introduced in 1950, few could have predicted the legend it would become. Available as seven-, eight-, or nine-seater versions, in many different configurations including campers, expedition vehicles, and school buses, or as work vans and student transport, the VW Bus proved itself in every challenge, across all continents and in all climates.

This book by Alexander F. Storz documents the public and commercial presence of the VW Bus/Transporter from 1950 to 1967. Using period advertising and media, it shows how the vehicle was presented, marketed, and perceived during its first seventeen years.

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