A portrait of a rolling icon: the world-famous VW Transporter T2 has continued its reputation as one of the most versatile commercial vehicles of its time. The Volkswagen Transporter is the forefather of the successful range of commercial vehicles that Volkswagen has put on the road. In fact, it was the brainchild of Ben Pon, who put the first drawings on paper.
It all started on 8 March 1950, when the T1 type came onto the market. Demand immediately exceeded supply: a VW bus that is now often sold as an investment object. In 1967, the VW Transporter T2 was launched – larger, more spacious and more expensive than its predecessor. The slightly curved windscreen earned it the nickname Panoramabus. The air-cooled engine remained in the rear.
Rarely beautiful… beautifully rare
The yellow fire truck of Sander (Autobedrijf Weerheim – Rijswijk) has something special. It has that charm, that magic, that other buses simply do not have. It is a bus that evokes a smile of recognition from the people who see it drive by, although this piece of history actually did not get further than the industrial estate of TNO in Rijswijk.
TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, was required in the past to have a company fire brigade available due to the increased risk of fire or accidents. A standard T2 was converted by Bikker & Zoon in Rotterdam and equipped with extinguishing equipment for the first phase of firefighting.
A siren that could blare, blue flashing lights, the bright yellow color - you could see it coming from far away on the vast TNO site. The volunteers of this company fire brigade had to have a calm appearance, but also show decisiveness when necessary.
What makes this Volkswagen so special?
Sander knows the answer: “The bus has a real cult status… you don't drive it – you show it off!
You get the chance (because the bus is for sale) to be part of a piece of history on wheels. It has demonstrably less than 7000 km on the counter. From 2010 it received years of love in our company in the form of perfect maintenance to keep it in running condition.
It has always been an inside sleeper and only used for exercises. Needless to say, the VW bus is in excellent condition and has remained 'rock solid'. With this beautiful VW you can take a trip through time, back to the nostalgic 70s, and experience unforgettable adventures.”
The tax authorities?
The fire truck has – to the regret of the Minister of Finance – no longer attracted interest in taxing it extra. It is MOT-approved and tax-free. However, the warm interest remains undiminished among classic car enthusiasts. Always and everywhere there is a passion for desirable cars, and this Volkswagen Transporter fire truck is definitely one of them.
An important role
Do youngtimers, classics or oldtimers – on two or four wheels – also play an important role in your hobby life? Then it is a good time to to become a subscriber. The cars of the past continue to stir our hearts. The charm of the old continues to attract.
(The article continues below with the photos.)
just one thing from the umpteenth time: Pon has “taken over” the drawing of both the bus and the beetle! so certainly not a “brainchild”!