Dreaming of the long country lanes and BBQing in the nights with about 3-5 mates this summer? Carrying supplies of about 2 to 3 months? Comfortable nights? Sounds good, but what about the transportation? Easily solved. Here I'm comparing the classic VW that sparked a cheap transportation frenzy across the face of Europe with a new one that looks set to take it's place. It isn't about specifications or I'd be insane to compare them. It's about feel. What would you get a bigger kick out of? (Conditions, relating to speed, reliablity, practically and the lot are up to you to regard or disregard. BUT fuel IS included.)
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Let's come back to where it all originated - the original VW Camper. Born in the early 60s as a van-version of the already-popular VW Beetle because it was needed by the British forces at the end of WW2 as transportation for supplies and men, but was not big enough. Designed in the late 40s, it was quickly stereotyped as a favorite mode of transportation for the "hippies" after the war. Mass-produced until the late 80s, the VW Camper came in various forms (some sources say over 90) and VW would even give a free gold watch to anyone who had passed the 100,000 mile point. They had to stop though, for obvious reasons. Here below I'm comparing a Westalia version.
Year: 1963
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Westfalia Camper
Engine Location: Rear
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Cylinders: 4
Aspiration/Induction: Normal
Displacement: 1.50 L | 91.5 cu in. | 1499.7 cc.
Horsepower: 50.00 BHP (36.8 KW) @ 4200.00 RPM
Torque: 78.00 Ft-Lbs (105.8 NM) @ 2600.00 RPM
HP / Liter: 33.3 BHP / Liter
Bore: 3.27 in | 83.1 mm.
Stroke: 2.70 in | 68.6 mm.
Compression Ratio: 7.8:1
Fuel Type: Petrol
0 - 100kph: A couple of hours with about 10 very tired people behind it, if it starts.
Max Speed: (assumed) 80 kph.
Gears: 4
Transmission: Manual
Seating Capacity: 7
Width: 68.901 in | 1750.1 mm.
Wheelbase: 168.901 in | 4290.1 mm.
Steering: Worm and Sector
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