VW Bus: 40 Years of Splitties, Bays and Wedges - Tapa blanda

Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car, June 2007 - US magazine Few vehicles are as iconic as Volkswagen's vans, and few automakers have inspired the level of fanatic loyalty as has Volkswagen. While thousands of books have been written about the Sedan and its variants, the utilitarian Microbus and its descendants have been largely ignored. An excellent new volume, VW Bus: Forty Years of Splitties, Bays & Wedges, by Richard Copping, has arisen to fill the void and educate a new generation of VW van fans. The title of the book refers to the popular nicknames of the three generations of these air-cooled rear-engine Volkswagens. 'Splitties', or split-windshield models, were the first Sedan spin-offs, conceived in 1948 to add another vehicle to the company lineup and built from 1950 to 1967. Despite their similar looks, the 1967-1979 'Bays' were completely redesigned and got their nickname from their curved, one-piece windshields. Volkswagen's final rear-engine vans, the angular 'Wedges' built from 1979 to 1990, were powered by both air- and water-cooled engines. UK-based author Richard Copping has compiled a fantastic number of original VW brochures from markets around the world, and has used their artwork, texts and technical specifications to great benefit to illustrate the development and evolution of these hard-working vehicles; early Microbuses are seen in the beautiful drawings of Bernd Reuters, while newer models are seen through evocative period photography. Although it is pricey for a paperback, Volkswagen lovers will find this book a great addition to the shelf.

Visit any VW show and what do you find? Correct - wall-to-wall Campers. Interest in the numerous conversions offered over the years spirals ever-upwards as do asking prices for even the most dilapidated examples of the first three generations and 40-years of VW Bus conversions. But are there books to match? No not that is until this encyclopaedic volume was conceived. As a direct consequence of the lack of print available, author Richard Copping has collected a wealth of contemporary brochures from all the leading converters, knitted them together and produced a unique and vibrant story of the VW Camper from the first and often rustic conversions of the 1950s to the sophisticated homes on wheels of the late 1980s. Stripping out the original text, Richard has carefully replaced it with his own lively yet informative story - while carefully retaining both the popular look and nostalgic feel of the age. From the untangling of the many stories that contributed to VW Camper history to a restorer s dream of detailed specifications and from the quirkiest of marketing strategies amazingly and endearingly primitive in the 1950s to suavely sophisticated in the latter days, if the word Camper is in it, its covered. The meticulous reproduction of advertising brochures many of which can easily be the best part of 50-years old make this a hard to put down coffee table volume for some - a book with very much in vogue nostalgic visual appeal. For others, the lure of a lively and informative story peppered with carefully detailed pictures will ensure the book is a useful reference to visit over and over again. Richard Copping's extensive collection of rarely seen advertising material provides a unique background to a much-needed book designed to delight the multitude of VW Camper fans far and wide.