The Swinging Sixties
The sixties brought a number of big changes to the classic Volkswagen camper van. In 1963, they not only increased the original engine size from 1200cc to 1500cc, but they also added the sliding door as an optional extra for your camper!
In 1967, we saw the end of an era. The beloved splittie was taken off the production line for the final time, with some fans concerned it would never return. However, just a year later we saw the rise of “The Bay”. This face lift showed one large windscreen, a downside to many lovers of the splittie.
Other changes proved to be popular, including improved suspension, wind down windows and several other mechanical improvements. In later production runs of The Bay, they added a wrap around bumper and moved the indicators up to the grill, adding a little more style.
Elated Eighties
Fast forward to the very start of the 80’s and we see the T25 hit the roads. Whilst we still don’t consider this style a classic camper, it started the change over to campers as we know them today. With many revamps and changes throughout the T25s time in production, it began to offer a much better ride and camp than previous models. It also became the first model that Volkswagen advertised as a conversion van, offering a fitting kitchen and sink.
Notable Nineties
The 90’s gave us the transporter as we now see it. The T4 had the first front engine in the camper range – the water cooled engines signalled the start of the more powerful and reliable engines we see today. This van offered a number of extras from the offset, including: Standard or high-top roof, sliding door on the passenger side or both, short or long nose at the front of the vehicle (the longer nose allowing the installation of a V6 engine) and a permanent 4WD system. This van allowed for an excellent base to build into a unique campervan. Meaning it stuck around on the production line for 13 years.
New Naughties
2003 saw the introduction of the T5, the most customisable van yet. This model offered many interior options, from single cab, to double cab, to a people carrier with up to 11 seats. This was made for groups or big families as an all round people transport vehicle. Favoured by builders and workmen for the usable space in the back, it was by far the most successful van to date. Population increased by 2010 as more and more people started to get back into campervans, turning the T5 into a wonderful conversion project for everyone.
Hitting the T7
Now, Volkswagen has introduced the T7 Multivan, representing the next chapter in the Transporter story. Built with a focus on hybrid technology, sustainability and modern design, the T7 moves beyond just being a workhorse, it’s a forward-thinking people carrier and camper base. Featuring a plug-in hybrid option, upgraded digital cockpit and a flexible seating system, the T7 is designed for families, travellers and eco-conscious adventurers alike.
While it carries forward the spirit of the VW camper, the T7 embraces the future with smarter connectivity, improved efficiency and greener credentials. For those looking to combine the nostalgia of classic campers with cutting-edge innovation, the T7 shows exactly where the journey is headed.
The Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 and all new T7 continues the legacy of classic VW campers, evolving over the last 70 years to meet the needs of modern-day travellers while maintaining the iconic appeal. From the original “splitties” in the late 1940s to the 1960s’ introduction of the sliding door and mechanical improvements, VW campers have consistently advanced. The 1980s T25 set the stage for modern campers with its revamped design, followed by the T4 in the 1990s, offering improved features and customisation options. The T5 brought versatility and customisation, gaining popularity for both work and leisure use. The T6 and T6.1 offer refined design, combining comfort and efficiency, making it the perfect base for camper conversions. Now, with the arrival of the T7, Volkswagen has pushed the campervan into a new era of innovation, sustainability and style.
As we welcome the latest Transporter generation, it’s the perfect time to take a trip down memory lane and see how VW campers have changed over the last seven decades.
Volkswagen vans have changed over the years, but what remains is their fans’ commitment to these classic campers. Whether you are new to VanLife, or have been into campers since the 60’s, you can appreciate how the vans might change, but the love remains.
The Classic Camper
At the end of the 1940s, Volkswagen took inspiration from the success of the Beetle and launched the Type 2 Transporter T1, better known as the VW Bus. This was the beginning of a true motoring icon, a practical van that could carry people, goods or even be adapted into a home on wheels for those who loved a road trip. Its distinctive rounded shape, split-windshield and cartoon-like design gave rise to its nickname, the “splittie.”
Although its modest 25bhp engine (borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle) was far from powerful, the Volkswagen Bus quickly won hearts across the world. Families loved it for its space, businesses for its utility, and adventurers for the freedom it symbolised. Over time, it became more than just transport, it began to represent independence and community spirit. The Beetle may have been Volkswagen’s first star, but the VW Bus cemented the brand’s legacy. Lego’s replica of the Splittie even became a bestseller for nostalgia fans.
The Swinging Sixties
The sixties brought a number of big changes to the classic Volkswagen camper van. In 1963, they not only increased the original engine size from 1200cc to 1500cc, but they also added the sliding door as an optional extra for your camper!
In 1967, we saw the end of an era. The beloved splittie was taken off the production line for the final time, with some fans concerned it would never return. However, just a year later we saw the rise of “The Bay”. This face lift showed one large windscreen, a downside to many lovers of the splittie.
Other changes proved to be popular, including improved suspension, wind down windows and several other mechanical improvements. In later production runs of The Bay, they added a wrap around bumper and moved the indicators up to the grill, adding a little more style.
Elated Eighties
Fast forward to the very start of the 80’s and we see the T25 hit the roads. Whilst we still don’t consider this style a classic camper, it started the change over to campers as we know them today. With many revamps and changes throughout the T25s time in production, it began to offer a much better ride and camp than previous models. It also became the first model that Volkswagen advertised as a conversion van, offering a fitting kitchen and sink.
Notable Nineties
The 90’s gave us the transporter as we now see it. The T4 had the first front engine in the camper range – the water cooled engines signalled the start of the more powerful and reliable engines we see today. This van offered a number of extras from the offset, including: Standard or high-top roof, sliding door on the passenger side or both, short or long nose at the front of the vehicle (the longer nose allowing the installation of a V6 engine) and a permanent 4WD system. This van allowed for an excellent base to build into a unique campervan. Meaning it stuck around on the production line for 13 years.
New Naughties
2003 saw the introduction of the T5, the most customisable van yet. This model offered many interior options, from single cab, to double cab, to a people carrier with up to 11 seats. This was made for groups or big families as an all round people transport vehicle. Favoured by builders and workmen for the usable space in the back, it was by far the most successful van to date. Population increased by 2010 as more and more people started to get back into campervans, turning the T5 into a wonderful conversion project for everyone.
Hitting the T7
Now, Volkswagen has introduced the T7 Multivan, representing the next chapter in the Transporter story. Built with a focus on hybrid technology, sustainability and modern design, the T7 moves beyond just being a workhorse, it’s a forward-thinking people carrier and camper base. Featuring a plug-in hybrid option, upgraded digital cockpit and a flexible seating system, the T7 is designed for families, travellers and eco-conscious adventurers alike.
While it carries forward the spirit of the VW camper, the T7 embraces the future with smarter connectivity, improved efficiency and greener credentials. For those looking to combine the nostalgia of classic campers with cutting-edge innovation, the T7 shows exactly where the journey is headed.
