It will forever be known as the vehicle of choice for 1960s hippies. The Volkswagen Microbus was originally designed as a portable camper and has expanded with a number of different variations. Originally designed in the late 1940s, the Microbus was actually produced as late as 1994 in Mexico.
Keeping with the Volkswagen concept of a rear mounted engine made the Microbus not only drive differently but look very unique as well. With the driver literally sitting in front of the front wheels, these machines were surprisingly roomy. While some were equipped with a gas burner and a small refrigerator and could be true campers, most were simply roomy vans that, with folded down seats could be used for overnights.
Volkswagen soon realized that the basic design, the frame and rear mounted flat four engine, could be utilized for other purposes as well. And a variation that was something like a pick up truck or carrier was also born. But it was the propensity of the hippies in the 1960s to use the Microbus in their travels around the country that solidified them as a piece of pop culture.
Oh yeah, if you look closely at the first picture, the white Microbus with the peace signs on it, you can see near the back the words "surf Ohio." It's right above the picture of Cheech and Chong. Hippies.
There were many fine examples of the Microbus on display at the recent 27th Annual Volkswagen and Porsche Reunion.
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