When production of the van started in March, 1950, the German carmaker had no idea it would become a world-wide hit. With more than 10 million built, the purpose-built load carrier has evolved through five-generations to become today's Transporter, Multivan and Caravelle.
However, many of the original Microbuses are still on the road and craved by collectors. The first T1 split-screen model was powered by a rear mounted four-cylinder, air-cooled, 1.1-litre petrol engine that developed just 19kW and had a top speed of 100km/h.
The newest Transporter gets a range of turbo-diesel engines from 2.0-litres to 2.5-litres with outputs ranging from 62kW up to 128kW and top speeds of more than 160km/h. Although the design has evolved, the oldest and newest Transporter share the same badge at the front and a generous load area.
VW has toyed with the idea of a 21st century Microbus and whetted appetites in 2001 when it launched the Microbus concept. Unfortunately it has never gone into production.
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