Westfalia VW

Volkswagen Westfalia Campers were conversions of Volkswagen Type 2 (better known as Transporter or Micro-Bus) vehicles in the early 1950s through 2003. Volkswagen subcontracted the modifications to Westfalia-werke (most often called Westfalia) in Rheda-Wiedenbruck. Various models and options were available. Early Volkswagen split-screen windshield Kombi models were built between 1950 and 1967. Volkswagen introduced the bay window in the 1968 model year, replacing the split screen style. Production of Volkswagen camping cars continued well into 2003, and was based on the Volkswagen Kombi or "bus" as it is often referred to. Other coachbuilders, including Dormobile, ASI/Riviera, Danbury Motorcaravans, and VW Sun-Dial, also built camping cars based on the Volkswagen bus.

Between 1951 and August 1958, approximately 1,000 Camper Box conversions were made by Westfalia, the official Volkswagen Camper conversion coachbuilder. In August 1958, the SO models were introduced. The SO is short for German: Sonderausführung, meaning Special Model. Westfalia special models included the SO-23; the SO-34, SO-35, SO-33, SO-42, SO-44 and SO-45. Volkswagen Campers were available from Volkswagen dealers throughout the world. Vehicles were also delivered via the Tourist Delivery Program where a customer would pick up their new van in Germany, drive it in Europe, and transport it home, typically to the USA. Many Volkswagen campers were purchased by USA Servicemen and brought back to the USA in the 1950s and 1960s