1979 | Volkswagen T2b panel van

Volkswagen T2 Bus – More than a car. A family member on four wheels.

There are cars that are just metal on wheels. And then there are those that accompany entire generations, create memories, and look like they could still start even after an apocalypse. This VW T2 definitely belongs to the second category.

History – The bus that could do everything

In 1979, the world was still in order: people wore flared trousers, smoked everywhere, and the VW Bus was the ultimate multi-purpose vehicle. Your father needed something robust enough to haul boxes full of clothes to the shops and comfy enough to take the family plus half the camping gear to Lake Garda.

So he bought this T2 – and treated it not as a car, but as the fifth member of the family. A member that got fresh oil twice a year, was regularly pampered, and was never entrusted to anyone else.

Technology – Air-cooled, indestructible, wonderfully simple

Under the hood beats the legendary air-cooled boxer engine – an engine with more charisma than Volkswagen’s entire board of directors combined.

✅ Original engine, never replaced – because maintenance matters more than tuning
✅ Air cooling – who needs coolant when you’ve got style?
✅ Mechanics so simple you could fix them with a hammer if needed

Today the technology might look old, but it still works. Probably better than most modern plastic vans.

Condition – Lovingly cared for, not showroom-polished

This T2 never stood around at exhibitions just to be talked about. It was used – but always respected.

✅ Always parked in a closed garage
✅ No brittle dashboards or faded seats
✅ Interior so well preserved it feels like the 80s never ended
✅ Exterior with just the right amount of patina to prove it’s authentic

Only the usual small signs of use tell you it spent its life on country roads, campsites, and loading bays rather than in a shop window.

Driving experience – The bus that listens

Your father didn’t just drive this VW. He listened to it. He knew when the engine wanted a bit more throttle or when the gear change was needed. For him, the bus was an extension of his own body – and that’s exactly how it still feels today.

If you expect it to press you into the seat with turbo thrust, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to experience unhurried travel and see how a car can still do honest work after 46 years, you’re in the right place.

Conclusion – A piece of family history

This T2 is not just any old transporter. It’s a rolling time capsule, an honest companion, and a loyal friend.

I completely understand you’d rather not let it go – who would willingly sell a part of their story? But maybe it will now find a new owner who appreciates it just as much and understands that such a car is more than just a means to an end.

And if you’re still hesitating: go buy yourself a modern van with a touchscreen and parking sensors. But don’t complain later that it has no soul.