I thought the early ones were nicknamed "barndoor" buses due to the
fact that their back hatch opened at the bumper and swung all the way
up to the roof hinges.  Guessing that lsted til the mid 590's or
so.  earliest one I ever owned was a 60 model  Kombi that had the
double door on the driver's side.  Paid a whopping $3.61 for it and
it ran and wasn't rusty.  Kinda wish I still had it with the prices
they're bringing these days.

DM&FS

.LAt 03:34 PM 8/8/2005, Kim Brennan wrote:
>The prototype for the VW transporter was introduced in November of 1949
>in Germany.
>
>Production (and sales) occured in 1950 in Europe (not sure about North
>America). Wikipedia confirms that 1950 was the first year of
>production.
>
>This is the Type 2, which includes rear engined Split window buses, the
>so called bay window buses and the Vanagons.
>
>
>I presume you meant your post to compliment mine, not to dispute it.
>
>
>On Aug 8, 2005, at 4:12 PM, bueses wrote:
>
>>Single cab trucks 1952 model year
>>VW DC trucks 1959 m.y.
>>Westfalia-Camping box option about 1954-55?
>>
>>"Vans" were first made in 1980?  A 1958 would have been a "bus"-first
>>year
>>of the non "pressed bumper" buses.