65th anniversary of the first conveyor

The International Women’s Day, which we celebrated yesterday, is important not only for millions of women and girls around the world, but also for Wolfsburg employees, because on March 8, 1950, Germans made the first Volkswagen serial transporter. In 1956, the production of the transporter model was moved to its current location (Hannover-Stöcken).

It all started as early as 1947, when the then Dutch importer of Volkswagen vehicles visited the factory in Wolfsburg, where during a visit to the production he noticed the legendary 'Plattenwagen', which was used there as an internal motorized means of transport for various loads between departments. in the factory. Shortly afterwards, Ben Pon presented to the then management for the first time the idea of ​​a cargo version of the 'bug' model, which was quickly supported by the then first man (Heinrich Nordhoff) of the Volkswagen brand. Thus, as early as 1949, they created the first four driving prototypes (two semi-trucks, a van and a minibus, which they delivered to Mülhens, a well-known cosmetics manufacturer known mainly for its 4711 collection).

Most of the mechanical components for the new conveyor (internal designation: type 29) were contributed by the then 'Käfer' (type 1 beetle), although there is a big difference between them because the first conveyor has a different carrier chassis design and consequently a slightly more 'self-supporting' body. The built-in powertrain (engine displacement: 1131 cubic centimeters, 18 kW / 24 hp at 3300 rpm) in this car, which could carry up to 8 people, was also contributed by the 'bug' model. The simple design of the first transporter allowed users to quickly remove any excess passenger seats and convert it into a robust truck with a payload of 750 kilograms and 4,6 cubic meters of usable interior in the passenger compartment. By the end of 1950 (in about nine months), the Germans had produced more than 8.000 examples of this useful car, which soon earned cult status due to its usability, reliability and then and later highly esteemed minimalism.

The very favorable sales price (5.850 German marks) also has its share in the success of the first generation, because many German craftsmen, state institutions and many companies could afford this van. However, it also became highly valued abroad, where it was presented to customers as the 'Wirtschaftswunder Deutschland' symbol at the time. As early as 1951, the first 'lifestyle' versions of the transporter model ('Sonderausführung 22', also known as 'Camping-Box') were created, which were manufactured for Volkswagen by Westfalia, until 1958. These versions were This was followed by a number of other holiday-oriented variants (SO-23, SO-34, SO-35, SO-33, SO-42, SO-44 and SO-45) of the Volkswagen van, which created the cult status of this car, because it is one of the first spiritual forerunners of today's motorhomes, then called 'Heim auf Rädern' ('home on wheels').

The first jubilee copy with the serial number 100.000 was made in 1954. In those days, the Germans made 80 copies of this model every working day, which was already offered to customers in thirty versions. They simply could not produce more because its production was limited by the production of the ‘beetle’ model. Therefore, at that time, they decided to set up a new factory, where only the conveyor model would be manufactured. About 200 German cities and towns applied for the tender for the possible location of the new factory, but Nordhoff chose the location Hannover-Stöcken, which we still know today. Production at this new location, which covered 1,1 million square meters of land, was started by the Germans on March 8, 1956. Interestingly, the 'Volkswagen train' picked up most of the employees every working day at 14:10 ( about 3.000) and took them from Hanover to their native Wolfsburg.

Thus, by the end of 1967, approximately 1,83 million units of the first generation transporter model, also known by the popular name 'Bulli', had been produced in Germany. Some more interesting things. The first manufactured closed (van) serial models of the transporter model did not have additional side doors on the driver's side, while the passenger's side was marked by a double wing door. In June 1951, such a door could also appear on the driver's side at an additional cost, the opening with a window at the rear was not obtained until 1955, when the Germans moved the spare wheel from the rear to the front of the car. In the 25s, the drive power jumped to 34 kW / 31 hp, the Americans only knew the versions with 42 kW / 1963 hp (from 1,5 onwards, this option was also offered to customers in Europe). With the built-in 100-liter petrol engine, the transporter was able to reach a top speed of 1965 km / h for the first time. In 12, the transporter gets today's 2000-volt electrical wiring. The first-generation Transporter model made in Germany was later joined by a million relatives made in Brazil, which were manufactured by the year XNUMX.

Today, in the Hannover area, two factories (Hannover-Stöcken & Hannover-Limmer) employ around 12.200 people, producing the Conveyor and Amarok models, and the plant also produces Porsche Panamera bodies.