VW T1 Split screen | The VW bus and the first Volkswagen campervan

The #VWT1 is an icon, a true motoring legend. This is the story of how Volkswagen's simple #splitscreen van transformed the way we use vehicles and led to all the great VW campers we know and love today.
There's more detail on the spitty's contribution to Transporter history - and details of all subsequent models in the book of the channel - "VW Campers for Beginners". Check out print and e-book versions on AMAZON - bit.ly/vwcampersforbeginners
But this video focuses on the original - tracing the first generation Transporter from its launch through all its main developments including the legendary #vwsamba - the microbus deluxe that remains one of the most sought-after and expensive classic V-dubs on the planet. We see how the #volkswagenT1 gave birth to the campervan, when people simple started using the space in their new Transporters for leisure as well as business.
We discover how German coachbuilder Westfalia were first into a new market creating "camping boxes" - kits of camping equipment that could temporarily transform a T1 for weekend camping before switching to permanently converted campervans. Our channel has background videos on all the generations of VW Transporters, so check out our playlists for those! But there's no doubt that the "splitty" as it's affectionately called because of its distinctive split windscreen, is the Daddy of them all.
CAMPERVAN BOOKS FROM THE AUTHOR ON AMAZON:
* "VW CAMPERS FOR BEGINNERS - The Complete Guide to Owning Your First Volkswagen Campervan" - rb.gy/8lk6v
* "EUROPE BY CAMPERVAN - Turn Vanlife Dreams into Road Trip Reality" - shorturl.at/cflH8
CAMPERVAN BLOG: And there's yet more help, advice and campervan articles on my Vanlifevirgins blog:
www.vanlifevirgins.com
PHOTO CREDITS
Our story is illustrated with great archive photos and original promotional film dating back to the 1950ss courtesy of Volkswagen of America and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Additional unmodified photos of Westfalia camping boxes are copyright Norbert Schnitzler, own work, CC BY-SA 3.0. Links to originals
commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
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[@IAm1InTheIAm]

What a wonderful video, thanks! Something I'm starting to realize is that my May of '58 splitty is a special one: of the millions of splitties in the world, I'm the happy owner of the oldest farthest North VW bus. The HiBearN8R and I travel around Alaska year-round ✌

[@Thecampervanchannel]

How fantastic! Sounds amazing.

[@gailwood2235]

Great video yet again! So interesting seeing and hearing about the history of the vw camper. Thank you.

[@vwaudiwelder]

Thanks so much for this. I adore my TDI converted splitty bus still undergoing restoration but am very excited for my new T3 Vanagon to likely get a 3.6 VR6. I think 280 HP should move it around nicely.

[@Thecampervanchannel]

I think so too. It will be awesome !

[@PneumatinisPlaktukas15]

I feel the need to mention that the T1 was designed by Dr. Alfred Haesner, head of technical development, who later designed the Ford FK 1000 and Transit vans.

[@Thecampervanchannel]

Thanks for the extra info

[@damnmyusernameisgone]

Enjoyable video except I wish the archival footage hadn't been stretched horizontally to fill the 16:9 aspect ratio of the video. Makes everything look squished and bad.

[@DEDETheMenace]

I really need one 😂

[@Thecampervanchannel]

It's serious when it reaches "need"! Go do it!

[@BRED510]

Great video You should do an episode all about Westfalia. I've got a walkaround video of my 68 Early Bay Westfalia on my KZbin channel.

[@Thecampervanchannel]

Thanks. Great idea. Will definitely take a look. Can't wait til we can film out on the road again!

[@DanTheManIOM]

@@Thecampervanchannel who knew there were over 20 different companies doing conversions ? I said whoever did this conversion did a nice job since I thought it was home made. After I got title to the 67, the seller said, you want this beat up cabinet ? Sure. It had the sundial tag on it. Mine had gone 175K miles in first 23 years, Eddy parked it for 20 years and I bought 11 years ago. It was my first T1, a tin top walk through.

[@reacp9114]

T3 is the best. I own 2: one air cooled the other water cooled

[@Thecampervanchannel]

The best of both worlds!

[@IAm1InTheIAm]

They sure are comfortable. I've had an '85 Westy for years. Seems like they have a plethora of electrical gizmos which tend to act up a bit much, though, and hence, the Subaru conversions. Mine's still original and, amazingly, hasn't given us many problems. Cheers.