The hippy culture icon that came about by chance

THE Volkswagen Type 2 is seen as the grandfather of campervans.

It came about by chance in 1947 when Dutch importer and car salesman Ben Pon walked across the grounds of the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg and saw a flatbed wagon that was being used to transport heavy parts.

The device was based on the chassis of the VW Beetle.

Pon – who died in 1968 – sketched out a design based on the clever contraption for a modern people carrier which later caught the imagination of VW bosses.

After testing, the campervan went on sale in 1950, becoming an immediate hit across austere post-war Europe.

In the 1960s it became an embodiment of the “hippy” culture – with vans decorated in flower power designs as they were taken to festivals across Europe and the US.

Because of their cool, iconic image Type 2 vans still command good prices.

A white 1978 version that has covered 111,725 miles is currently being offered on Gumtree for £13,999.

A blog on the enduring appeal of the campervan by writer Em Kuntze suggested Type 2 owners enjoyed a “freewheeling” lifestyle.

“The campervan conjures up thoughts of lazy beach days, minimal responsibilities, sand between the toes, surfboard under the arm and the freedom to roam,” she wrote. “Sure, we could pack up the car and do the same, but somehow the campervan is different.”