The iconic Volkswagen Type 2 celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025, with enthusiasts marking the milestone at the VolksWorld Show at the South of England Showground.
Words: Ian Cushway Image: Andrew Thompson
Believe it or not, it’s now more than 75 years since Volkswagen’s iconic Bus first left the firm’s Wolfsburg production line. Enthusiasts marked the milestone during the 2025 VolksWorld Show at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, where a special display celebrated the Type 2’s remarkable legacy.
In 1947, Dutch importer Ben Pon famously sketched the beginnings of a van based on the Beetle chassis – a vision that led to the birth of the Volkswagen Type 2. The first prototype was developed in 1949, and on 8 March 1950, the first VW Transporter rolled off the production line, thus in a single stroke changing the world of utility vehicles and camper culture alike.
Birth on an Icon
The original Transporter was, quite literally, a steel box on wheels, designed to maximise load space over its relatively small footprint, helped of course by tucking the Beetle’s air-cooled engine and transmission beneath the rear loading bay and positioning the driver as far forward as possible.
Needless to say, the Transporter was an instant success as, unlike the majority of commercial vehicles of the era, it was compact, manoeuvrable and incredibly flexible, too. Demand for the Type 2 grew so rapidly that Volkswagen moved production to a dedicated factory in Hannover in 1956. The following year, the company established its first overseas production operation in Brazil, laying the foundations for the Type 2’s remarkable global success.
Continued Success
In total, more than 1.9 million Split Screen vans were built before the second-generation Bay Window arrived in Europe in 1967. Since then, the Transporter name has continued through successive generations, making it one of the world’s longest-running commercial vehicle lineages. Today, the earliest examples are synonymous with campers, collectors, surfers and even celebrity chefs, cementing the Type 2’s place as one of Volkswagen’s greatest success stories.
With support from clubs like the Split Screen Van Club (SSVC) and The Wolfsburg Bus Crew, the VolksWorld Show in March will bring together an exceptional collection of air-cooled Type 2 Campers and Buses to mark that success and offer a rare glimpse into the evolution of one of Volkswagen’s most loved and coveted creations.
Keeping an icon on the road
Seventy-five years after the first Type 2 rolled off the production line, its appeal shows no sign of fading. Enthusiasts of all ages continue to drive, restore and enjoy everything from carefully preserved Split Screens to well-travelled Bay Windows. As values have matured and restoration costs have risen, protecting that investment has become an increasingly important part of ownership.
That’s where VolksWorld Insurance comes in. Developed specifically for classic Volkswagen enthusiasts, the scheme offers features including agreed value cover, a self-repair option and cover for tools and spare parts—benefits that reflect the realities of owning and maintaining a historic VW. Whether your Type 2 is a concours showpiece or a camper that’s still clocking up miles on summer adventures, specialist cover helps ensure this much-loved icon can continue creating memories for many years to come.
For more information on the VolksWorld Show and to buy tickets, visit the event page
