By 1954 the first commercial examples were available. The model illustrated is sometimes referred to as a "Barndoor" due to the large hinged engine cover, subsequently reduced in size. Over the years, the design has been changed subtly several times and radically several times, as will be seen in the following illustrations.

1949 - 1967 - The Split-screen Transporter

The rear-engined, Beetle-based design established in 1954 was hardly changed from 1954 to 1968. The changes made in this time period are a source of great absorption to VW fanatics, but the casual observer will hardly be able to differentiate between, say, a 1967 panel van and one from 18 years earlier.

Due to the windscreen being split into two flat panels, this set of model years is often referred to as the Split-screen Transporter. The technical design of the VW Transporter was quite remarkable, with a magnesium alloy engine case, air-cooling and a low-level loading platform capable of carrying more than half a ton.

More remarkable than the engineering design, however, was the flexibility of the design. From the outset, both a Panel Van and a "Kombi" were offered. The Kombi had removable rows of seats and was thus a combination commercial van and people-mover (in fact the first people mover). More models would follow, including campers, deluxe Microbusses, Pickups, Ambulances and Fire-trucks.

1968 - 1979 - Bay Windows

The first major revamp of the Transporter in 1968 changed the styling radically and the engineering more progressively. The series is characterised by a large curved windscreen, resulting in the common appellation of "Bay Window" transporter.

Over the run of this series, running changes were made to update the platform to a new, transporter-specific engine and gearbox, disk brakes, fuel injection which kept this series up-to-date with consumer expectations at least until the 1973 oil price shock.

1980 - 1983 - Type 2.5 or Vanagon

The third generation Transporter or 'Vanagon' was introduced, with a complete restyling of both the exterior and interior. Gone was the round shape of the previous two generations of Transporters in favor of a more angular "wedge" shape. The interior was upgraded substantially to include the level of comfort included in modern vehicles. In addition to the body, all other systems are redesigned and improved.

The body dimensions, glass area, interior space, safety and weight were all increased with this series, but the improvements did not revive flagging sales in the U.S.; this series sold proprotionately more strongly in Europe where the wide range of alternatives available in the U.S. was not present.

Transporter sales in the U.S.

As for so many other marques, U.S. sales have always been critical to the success of Volkswagen models. As can be seen from this graph, the initial success of the Split-screen Transporters built to impressive figures through the 1960's; the introduction of the Bay-window series accelerated this even further to a peak of 72,000 imports in 1970 alone, but after 1973 sales tanked.

Factors in this rapid decline in U.S. sales include:

• high fuel prices after the '70s oil shock; Transporters have always been effective in fuel use under heavy loads, but relatively thirsty under light loads
• increased competition from Japanese and U.S. people-movers and light transports
• relatively high prices; Volkswagen Transporters have never been cheap but as reduced sales numbers collided with increased emissions and safety regulations, they became expensive
• loss of character; as the Transporter was adapted to emission and safety requirements it simultaneously lost its distinctive character.