Double or quits

Nowadays, when Volkswagen brings out a new model, it’s usually a complete range from day one. You wouldn’t go to the dealer asking to order a Double Cab Pick-up, for example, only be told they don’t make one.

But in the 1950s, when VW introduced the Transporter, it was uncharted territory. The manufacturer didn’t know what exact applications its new model we would be put to, and were open to suggestions. Being a direct descendent of the ‘Plattenwagen’ trucks that used to ferry parts around the Wolfsburg factory, the new Transporter was an open book kind of design.

It was the Plattenwagen that inspired Dutch VW importer, Ben Pon, to draw his simplistic sketch for a van, and then badger Herr General Direktor at the time, Heinz Nordhoff, to put it into production. Although the new model was launched in Panel Van form only in 1950, Kombi, Deluxe and ambulance models followed shortly after. However, it took until