Holidaying with kids in tow is rarely as relaxing as you intend it to be. Children crave adventure – whether it’s when playing with toys, running around like loons or wrapped up in a book – and sometimes, a foreign resort-based holiday just doesn’t offer them this.
In the world of the Volkswagen enthusiast, there are few things worth doing more than escaping the monotony of life in an iconic VW Campervan, embracing the hippy and surfer ideals that so readily attach themselves to the vehicle. These two worlds – the one of children and of V-Dubbers – are more compatible than you might initially think. Who knows, you might find yourself off on a camper adventure before long!
History of the VW Campervan
The VW Camper has taken a few different forms in its varied history, but one constant has always remained – the long, cuboid body that offers the space for comfortable transport en-mass. In fact, not too much has changed from the very first camper. The first generation – named T1 – hit the market on 8th March 1950, and had a very successful run until 1967, producing ten vehicles a day. The model had the option of two styles: the commercial (sometimes called Panel) and the Kombi, which is arguably the most iconic of buses, with the couple of rows of removable seat, three windows down each side and the distinctive ‘split’ on the frontwindscreen. Despite the difference in size, they were powered by the same 1100cc motor that resided in the VW Beetle.
The full bay window – dubbed the T2 – first replaced the split-screen in 1968, and this caused a plethora of mechanical changes for the bus. The van itself grew larger over the years, and the bay soon joined the splittie in terms of adoration. Over three million campers were produced by the 1980s, and were used for everything from recreational use to truck conversions and German ambulances. These bay dubs became the campers of choice for families thanks to the additional space.
This laid way for the third, fourth and fifth generations of camper, all of which gradually developed to the modern version available today. Along the way, extendable roofs were added, incredible paintwork appeared on the side and they grew as an icon and as a vehicle of status.
The World is your oyster – especially Great Britain
If you’re keen to give taking a camper out on your travels a go, you’ll definitely be in good company on the South West coast. Devon and Cornwall are known for their immaculate, understated beaches and little harbour towns. Many of these welcome tourism, but don’t let the influx of visitors in the high season change the place – life continues for the locals as it always has, and you’ll see that best with surfers riding the waves pre-work, and fisherman hauling in their catch on the harbour bays.
Travelling in a camper gives you the best thing of all – freedom. You can travel around an area, get into all the unknown nooks and crannies of a region and not worry about having the kids in tow – you travel with home comforts in a reasonable amount of space when in a Dub Bus.
VWs are at their most iconic when they’ve got a surfboard or two strapped to the roof, so it’s no surprise that you’ll be in good campervan company in the warmer months of the south. That being said, the popularity of campers isn’t restricted to the coast. Many find them to be an alternative to traditional tent camping, but with an element of ‘cool’ that caravanning just doesn’t have. VW Show events exist throughout the year, up and down the country – like-minded folk get together and show off their pride and joy. It’s a time to get recognition for something that many put a lot of time and effort into.
Vintage beauty or a reliable newbie?
There is no disputing the design of the vintage Splittie. His iconic status has seen him reproduced as everything from mugs and salt and pepper shakers, to tents and Lego replicas. They are a powerful and respected visual, but they cost an awful lot to source and run – and the restoration costs for a run-down model can be astronomical, even if you’ve got the time to dedicate to the cause. The aforementioned VW shows like Busfest and Camper Jam are a great way of seeing the time and effort that goes into these vintage vehicles – they also make a great day out or weekend trip for the family, camper admirers or enthusiasts alike.
In busy modern life, restoring a vintage bus might feel unlikely – but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways that you can partake in and enjoy everything the VW culture has to offer. Though the last ever batch of brand-new vintage style campers has recently been delivered to UK shores, the VW California is a great contemporary and modern take on the old classic, and used and new versions are often available through Trusted Dealers.
However you decide to do it, you’ll be stepping into a great family-friendly community of people, all with an appreciation of Volkswagen at the heart of it all – it’s all about freedom and fun, just don’t forget to give your bus a name!
Disclosure: Sponsored post.
