Description
Beautifully presented and illustrated with a combination of outstanding archive imagery and specially commissioned studio photography, this is the complete story of the Volkswagen Transporter for the first 40 years of its existence. Richard Copping, an acknowledged expert, offers an authoritative and thoroughly enjoyable history of the Transporter, of equal interest to the devotee and the novice wanting to know more.
This book traces the story of the ever-popular Transporter from the familiar fable of a simple sketch drawn by an extrovert Dutchman to the reality of production through the enthusiasm and determination of Volkswagen's first Director General. The unfolding tale covers an ever-increasing variety of models, ranging from the original Delivery Van, the utilitarian Pick-up and the basic but immensely flexible Kombi, to the people-carrying Micro Bus, its De Luxe sibling and a whole host of special vehicles ranging from Ambulances to mobile shops.
Volkswagen's policy of continually improving its products is demonstrated by a thorough analysis of the steady evolution of the Transporter during its first three generations, and care is taken to include much more than simple references to the iconic Camper — the one model that was never built at Wolfsburg or Hanover. The story of the officially approved Camper (built by Westfalia in Germany and exported most notably to the USA, where it became the Campmobile) and other conversions (mainly British, with Devon the most significant brand) is treated separately in enthralling, well-researched detail.
More than 1.8 million examples of the original split-screen Transporter were built between 1949 and 1967; nearly 2.5 million of the much-loved 'bay window' model followed in just 12 years; and a very respectable 1.9 million of the now increasingly desirable wedge-shaped third-generation model were manufactured in the 1980s. Volkswagen and its admirers can rightfully claim the Transporter to be an unmitigated success story and hence this book is a worthy addition to the Haynes Great Cars Series.
With over 20 titles to his name, Richard Copping justifiably claims to be Britain's most prolific author of Volkswagen books. His unique style illustrates his profound admiration of the marque as owner, enthusiast and historian.
Book Details:
Publisher Code: H5067
Author: Richard Copping
ISBN 13: 9780857330673
Published: 2011
Pages: 151
Dimension: 255x255mm
Hard Cover, colour & b/w illustrations
