Volkswagen Westfalia Campers
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Volkswagen began subcontracting to the Westfalia-werke in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, or more typically Westfalia, to build the official Volkswagen Camper cars sold in the early 1950s through 2003. Many models and interesting options were available for these vehicles. Early Volkswagen Split Screen windshield Kombi models between 1950 and 1967 are highly sought after collector vehicles. Beginning in the 1968 model year Volkswagen introduced the bay window replacing the split screen style. Production of Volkswagen camping cars continued well into 2003 and was based on the popular Volkswagen Kombi or "bus" as it is often referred to. Many other coachbuilders such as Dormobile, ASI/Riviera, Danbury Motorcaravans, and VW Sun-Dial also built camping cars based on the Volkswagen bus.
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[edit] Models
Between 1951 and August 1958 approximately 1000 Camper Box conversions were made by Westfalia the official Volkswagen Camper conversion coachbuilder. In August 1958 the SO models were introduced. SO is short for "Sonderausführung", meaning Special Model. [1].
Westfalia special models included the SO-23; the SO-34, SO-35, SO-33, SO-42, SO-44 and SO-45.
Volkswagen Campers were available from Volkswagen dealers throughout the world. Vehicles were also delivered via the Tourist Delivery Program where a new owner would pick up their new van in Germany and transport it back home, typically to the USA. Many Volkswagen campers were purchased by USA Servicemen and brought back to the USA in the 50's and 60's. [1]
[edit] Standard Equipment
- Various Foldout seat arrangements for sleeping
- Birch plywood interior panels
- Laminated plywood cabinetry for storage
- Ice box or cold-box
- Sink (some models)
- Water storage and pump
- Electrical hookups
- Curtains
- Screened Jalousie Windows
- Laminated folding table
[edit] Optional Equipment
- Attached "pop up" tops with tent
- Attachable stand alone tent
- Attachable side awnings
- A portable chemical toilet
- A camping stove
- Various camping equipment
- Child sleeping cot in driver cab
- Storage box which matches interior. Can be placed between front seats by sliding door.
- Automatic Transmission
- Air conditioning
- Rear swing table
- Small map table mounted on dash
[edit] Identification
M-Codes are used to identify the vehicle factory options. Beginning in 1958 a metal plate was riveted to the back of the right front seat. The plate tells the date of manufacture and various options that were incorporated into the vehicle.
The information included the date of manufacture, the option codes, the export destination, model number and paint finish (typically a durable finish referred to as Nitro-Lacquer), the paint color codes and the VIN or serial number.
[edit] M Code Plate
This plate is located typically behind the front right rear seat on Volkswagen Buses. [2].
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DD M Y DD=Day of Month M=Month (1-12) and Y Was the year between 1958 and 1964 (removed in 1965 and placed in first digit of serial number) |
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XXX XXX XXX XXX M-Codes |
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[edit] Options
Many factory and aftermarket options exist for these campers. Numerous owners of these Camping Vans and many Volkswagen clubs manage websites detailing these vehicles and their accessories.
[edit] In popular culture
The Volkswagen camper has become something of an icon in British and American culture as a symbol of hippy and surf culture than grew in the mid to late 1960s. The van has appeared in countless television series and films from appearing as a terrorist van in the 1985 film Back to the Future, to the "Jed and Dave" sketch performed by British comedy duo Hale and Pace where they impersonated two stereotypical 60s hippies with their Volkswagen camper emblazoned with "flower power".[3]
In the British TV series Top Gear, presenter Richard Hammond attempted to create amphibious versions of the Volkswagen Camper, modelled after a narrowboat. His first attempt, in season 8, frequently overheated on land and eventually foundered when driven into water. The second attempt, appearing in season 10, was slightly more watertight, but still sank when Hammond attempted to cross the English Channel with it.
[edit] External links
- GermaRetro.com: An enthusies website in Wiki format to display individual air-cooled Volkswagen Buses, Beetles and Karmann-Ghia's
- SO23 Westfalia: An excellent reference for the S023 camper
- 1976 Westfalia restoration (fr): Here's a great example of a restored 1976 Westfalia.
- LoveMyBus.com Online community for Vw Bus owners and enthusiasts. Forum's, Classified's, pictures, technical information.
- [1] SO model numbers Great reference site
- Westfalia Owners Web Site Online community for Westfalia owners and enthusiasts. The site's Message Boards are a great resource.
- Manuals & Information online: An excellent reference for older Volkswagens with Manuals & Sales Brochures by years 1955 -1979.
- The Camper Shak a company building Hand Crafted Interiors for all Volkswagen Campers.
- Split Screen Van Club a club designed for all Volkswagen bus owners and enthusiasts.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Website located at http://so23westfalia.com/about.htm viewed 14 July, 2006
- ^ Website located at http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/id.php viewed 14 July, 2006
- ^ YouTube - Jed a Dave
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