VW and The Who Rock Out for 60th Anniversary of the Magic Bus

Shawn Maynard

Automakers take note: if you want to achieve enviable retention rates, put on a 60th anniversary event for one of the most iconic vehicles the world has ever known, invite owners of this vehicle to join the celebration at one of the most awe inspiring convention facilities in the world at no charge, and then, amid displays of classic and current versions of said vehicle, cap it all off with a free outdoor concert played by one of the greatest rock groups in history.

Such was the recipe Volkswagen stirred up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its iconic Microbus, otherwise called the VW Van or Bulli, as it’s known in Europe. More variations on the T1 through T5 theme were on hand than most anyone, even those buried neck deep in VW folklore, probably knew existed, and, in VW’s display at least, all were in impeccable condition. The parking lots that surround Hanover’s architecturally stimulating exhibition center were filled to the brim with Volkswagen vans, from the truly peculiar to the wonderfully original, all in various stages of repair and all surrounded by an especially eclectic mix of owners, friends of owners and families of owners.

Interestingly, the first VW bus, as we know and love it, didn’t arrive until 1949, precisely 58 years ago. The forerunner to the van was a flatbed with an open cab at the rear, used for transporting heavy Beetle panels around the company’s Wolfsburg factory. This truck, nicknamed “Plattenwagen”, was the inspiration for a concept sketch penned by Dutch importer Ben Pon, which shortly thereafter became the T1.

After two decades of commercial use and family hauling the T1 transformed into the iconic transport for the flower power movement, and later in T2, T3 and T4 guise as the quintessential camper van with WESTFALIA stamped in bold letters across its pop-up fiberglass roof.

“Scarcely any other vehicle invokes as many emotions as the Volkswagen van, or ‘Bulli’ as it is known by many of its fans,” commented Stephan Schaller, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Germany. “It is a real cult vehicle and has stood for fun, independence and travel as well as business success. We want this event to celebrate the unrivalled legacy of Volkswagen vans and the future.”

Even the amiable Pete Townshend, after putting on a “private” concert for the VW van faithful that showed he and his band mate Roger Daltrey can still bang out the tunes with the kind of energy and enthusiasm only The Who can emulate, spoke to a small group of American and British journalists about his personal two-tone pink and white Brazilian-made, camperized 2005 T2 microbus going up for auction on October 20th to raise funds for a charitable cause, making a side note while holding up his Ferrari keys that he drives a VW Lupo (the brand’s smallest, least expensive car) regularly and loves it. Hey, if it’s good enough for Pete Townshend …

The first time Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles hosted such an event, Hanover chosen as it is home to the plant that has built the van since its inception, the automaker expected hundreds of vans to show up and take part in the celebration. Hundreds became thousands, as more than 3,500 vans made a convoy to Hanover, filling the exhibition grounds and causing Volkswagen to make last minute arrangements to accommodate the swelling numbers.

Prizes were awarded for oldest T1, T2 and T3, most attractive T1 to T5, most original T1, T2 and T3, furthest journey to the event, and “Pimp my Bulli”, with the winners receiving prizes they couldn’t otherwise purchase, such as tours of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles factory and VW van-themed trips.

Volkswagen no longer sells its van in Canada or the U.S., with the automaker’s North American division choosing not to offer it when the pricier T5 model was introduced a couple of years ago. Instead, magic bus fans will have the opportunity to purchase VW’s version of the magic wagon, when a joint venture minivan built in Windsor, Ontario on the back of Chrysler Group’s new Grand Caravan/Town and Country goes on sale late next year.

The VW Microbus’ 60th Anniversary celebration ran from Friday, October 5th to Sunday the 7th, and by all measurements was a success. One thing’s for sure, Volkswagen really knows how to throw a party.