Volkswagen Transporter Vans: A Journey through Generations and Graveyards
The history of Volkswagen Transporter vans in the United States dates back to the early 1950s, with sales continuing over three generations until 1991. While some argue that these vans are now highly sought-after by enthusiasts and rarely seen in self-service car graveyards, recent discoveries prove otherwise. Last year, a second-generation Transporter was found in a Colorado yard, and now a third-generation model has made its home in a South Carolina facility.
The third-generation Transporter, known as the T3 or Vanagon, made its debut in the United States as a 1980 model. Volkswagen cleverly merged “van” and “wagon” to create the name Vanagon, breaking away from the brand’s long-standing practice of marketing their passenger vans as station wagons. Interestingly, this tactic was not unique to Volkswagen, as Detroit also engaged in similar labeling practices for their passenger vans. In fact, when Toyota attempted to introduce an Americanized version of the MasterAce Surf with “Van Wagon” badges in 1984, they were forced to change the name to simply the Toyota Van due to Volkswagen’s legal intervention.
Initially, Vanagons were equipped with air-cooled engines that continued until 1983. However, this particular van showcases a radiator in its snout, indicating a departure from the air-cooled engines. According to the build tag, it was manufactured in Hanover, West Germany as a 1982 model with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Nevertheless, it appears that at some point, the van underwent an engine swap to the Wasserboxer engine. Remarkably, a similar engine swap was witnessed in an ’81 Vanagon in Colorado a few months ago.
Upon close inspection, one would notice that the engine has already been claimed by a junkyard shopper before its discovery, leaving only the shell of the van. Interestingly, this Vanagon is equipped with the optional automatic transmission. However, given that the water-cooled VW engines that are likely to have been swapped into this van had an output of less than 100 horsepower, paired with a curb weight of approximately 3,100 pounds, it would have been painfully slow to accelerate.
While Jim Hudson, a well-known car dealer in Columbia, continues to sell new cars, he no longer deals with Volkswagens. Times have changed, and so have the preferences of customers.
Intriguingly, the Vanagon shares its wheel bolt pattern with the Mercedes-Benz W123, as evidenced by the inclusion of one of these wheels on the van. Despite its cool appearance, it is important to note that restoring one of these vans can be quite costly, making it a prohibitive endeavor for many.
Although marketed as a van, the Vanagon offers the comfort of a station wagon. This luxury aspect was emphasized in a clever commercial, which not-so-subtly poked fun at Detroit’s downsized wagons of that era.
However, it is vital to acknowledge that while the Vanagon may have excelled in terms of comfort and luxury, its performance left much to be desired. This was particularly evident when attempting to conquer hills with a diesel Vanagon loaded with seven passengers.
In conclusion, the journey of Volkswagen Transporter vans in the United States has spanned multiple generations and witnessed both enthusiast appreciation and their eventual resting places in car graveyards. From the early days of stubbornly marketing themselves as station wagons to legal battles over naming rights, these vans have left a lasting impact on automotive history. Although the cost of restoration may be prohibitive for some, the allure of owning a piece of European luxury combined with the practicality of a van continues to captivate enthusiasts to this day.