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VW Microbus through the years

USA TODAY
Volkswagen, the maker of the Beetle, expanded its product offerings to include microbuses in 1950. In the 60s, the bus was a favorite mode of transportation for hippies in the U.S. As a response to the global oil crisis in the 70s, VW released a Microbus that was fully electric known as the Eleckro-Bus. Since then, the car took on many nicknames such as Splittie, Combi, Bulli, Vee-Dub, and Camper Car before it was discontinued in 2013 due to safety concerns.
Volkswagen, the maker of the Beetle, expanded its product offerings to include microbuses in 1950. In the 60s, the bus was a favorite mode of transportation for hippies in the U.S. As a response to the global oil crisis in the 70s, VW released a Microbus that was fully electric known as the Eleckro-Bus. Since then, the car took on many nicknames such as Splittie, Combi, Bulli, Vee-Dub, and Camper Car before it was discontinued in 2013 due to safety concerns.
AP
Vintage Volkswagen Kombi buses at the T1 specialist company in Florence Italy.
Vintage Volkswagen Kombi buses at the T1 specialist company in Florence Italy.
Alberto Pizzoli, AFP/Getty Images
In this Sept. 18, 2013 photo, advertising executive Marcelo Serpa drives his Volkswagen van, or Kombi, emblazoned with a "rolling mural," that he painted, through the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
In this Sept. 18, 2013 photo, advertising executive Marcelo Serpa drives his Volkswagen van, or Kombi, emblazoned with a "rolling mural," that he painted, through the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Andre Penner AP
In 2017, Volkswagen revealed a concept for a new, fully-electric microbus called the I.D. Buzz. Its makers confirmed it would go into production and reach dealerships by 2022. EPA-EFE/FOCKE STRANGMANN
In 2017, Volkswagen revealed a concept for a new, fully-electric microbus called the I.D. Buzz. Its makers confirmed it would go into production and reach dealerships by 2022. EPA-EFE/FOCKE STRANGMANN
FOCKE STRANGMANN, EPA-EFE
T1 Specialist in Florence, Italy is a business that imports old VW buses from countries like Brazil, then restores them, according the Agence France Presse news agency. The goal is get the buses, often outfitted as campers, back to showroom shape.
T1 Specialist in Florence, Italy is a business that imports old VW buses from countries like Brazil, then restores them, according the Agence France Presse news agency. The goal is get the buses, often outfitted as campers, back to showroom shape.
Alberto Pizzoli, AFP/Getty Images
John Tanner, of Valenica, Calif., with his 1961 Volkswagon Westfalia Camper. Photographed at the weekly "Coffee 'n Cars" car show in Santa Clarita, Calif. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff ORG XMIT: RH 136241 “Show Me Your Ca 4/22/2017 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
John Tanner, of Valenica, Calif., with his 1961 Volkswagon Westfalia Camper. Photographed at the weekly "Coffee 'n Cars" car show in Santa Clarita, Calif. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff ORG XMIT: RH 136241 “Show Me Your Ca 4/22/2017 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Volkswagen campervans are seen at the Retro Motor Show fair in Poznan, Poland, 26 October 2018.
Volkswagen campervans are seen at the Retro Motor Show fair in Poznan, Poland, 26 October 2018.
Jakub Kaczmarczyk, EPA-EFE
Some of the last of the Brazilian-built Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi vans that have been converted into campervans are seen at Danbury Motorcaravans workshops on January 23, 2014 in Bristol, England.
Some of the last of the Brazilian-built Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi vans that have been converted into campervans are seen at Danbury Motorcaravans workshops on January 23, 2014 in Bristol, England.
Matt Cardy Getty Images
The I.D. Buzz concept uses a touchscreen to control the car ' s functions instead of knobs or buttons, making it a cross between the vintage Microbus and a 21st-century electric vehicle.
The I.D. Buzz concept uses a touchscreen to control the car's functions instead of knobs or buttons, making it a cross between the vintage Microbus and a 21st-century electric vehicle.
USA TODAY
The Microbus was only the second product offering for Volkswagen, a company whose history dates back to the 1930s Germany.
The Microbus was only the second product offering for Volkswagen, a company whose history dates back to the 1930s Germany.
Volkswagen Of America
A land art painting by French artist Saype, depicting a Volkswagen (VW) bus, is pictured on a hill in Chateau d ' Oex, Switzerland on Aug. 23, 2017.
A land art painting by French artist Saype, depicting a Volkswagen (VW) bus, is pictured on a hill in Chateau d'Oex, Switzerland on Aug. 23, 2017.
Valentin Flauraud, Keystone Via AP
Some of the last new VW Type 2 Buses, shown at Danbury Motorcaravans in Bristol, England. Danbury modifies bare-bones Type 2 vehicle into fancy campers. It's among the last places anywhere to buy a new VW Bus. Production ended Dec. 31, in Brazil.
Some of the last new VW Type 2 Buses, shown at Danbury Motorcaravans in Bristol, England. Danbury modifies bare-bones Type 2 vehicle into fancy campers. It's among the last places anywhere to buy a new VW Bus. Production ended Dec. 31, in Brazil.
Matt Cardy Getty Images
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