Sunshine's Family Tree

We are often being asked by folks unfamiliar with the VW Kombi history on why Sunshine look so similar yet different from the Splits (1st generation Kombi) and Bays (2nd generation) and we think it would be nice to write a post on the heritage of Sunshine. Beware though, this is one lengthy post...

Family Photo

The concept of Kombi was first conceived in the late '40s as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that can be used by the tradesmen transporting goods during the weekdays with detachable seats installed for the weekends getaway. During those early days, people were still recovering from the economic fallout of WWII and people had to be thrifty with their monies. This provides the perfect backdrop for the rise of of the what we believe, the first true MPV of the world.

Type II T1, aka the split-screen was the first to emerge and manufactured between 1950-67. Kombi (short for Kombinationskraftwagen, german speak for combination motor vehicle) with side windows and removable rear seats, doubled as both a passenger and cargo vehicle. It was meant to be utilitarian and sturdy enough to be abused like a tool through the years.

Over the years, increasing safety regulations such as lights to be placed higher, signals more distinct, windows to be enlarged for enhanced visibility and more importantly, T1 being long in the tooth, gave rise to the birth of T2.

T2, aka baywindow was the second generation of kombis built between 1968-79. The split-screen gave way to a curved single piece windshield with signal lights either on lower part of front (early bay) or higher part (late bay). Though the engine configuration remained the same, output were progressively raised with bigger air-cooled engines. Brakes were improved with front disc and rear drums, similar to many modern vehicles.

(Technical note: VWs of earlier eras were based off an air-cooled engine (no radiator) placed in the rear of the vehicle, transmitting power to the rear wheels. This concept is totally different from modern day cars with a water-cooled engine placed in front driving the front wheels. In addition, the engines were of a boxer-configuration (think of both your fists clenched, trying to move towards each other but missed!) whereas the most common configuration these days would be the in-line (where your fists alternate between hitting up in the air and moving down)).

Actual advertisement of a Vanagon when it was launched

By 1976, ideas were abound for a replacement for T2 as rising affluence made VW aware that it need to further change its product offering to entice consumers. Thus, T3 aka Sunshine era which surfaced in late 79 and production lasted through 1991. It was an interesting phase of Kombi development as VW grapples with different configurations to find the winning formula. The early phase of T3 (like our beloved Sunshine) still retained the rear air-cooled engine layout which emits a distinctive engine sound enthusiasts deemed as music to their ears and the changing design was also reflective of the nascent change from the hippie 70s to the techno 80s. A bit of a crossover product for the two very different eras which explains its very interesting aura. We opined that it is a bit like the babies born in the late 70s to early 80s, we have distinct memories of a much gentler and slower pace of life but yet we were right on the onset of an explosion in technological advances.

It was also during this time that VW finally ditched its over 40 years rearward air-cooled engine concept for a front water-cooled engine driving the front wheels for certain models like the Mk I Golf (a worthy replacement for the venerable VW Beetle, aka Type I) and subsequently, all later T3s were manufactured with rearward water-cooled and even turbo-charged diesel engine at some point.

Comfort, prestige and style was top on VW's mind when the concept of T3 was hatched. It was noted for the roomiest cabin, plusher cabin seats for long distance travel as many doubled as a campervan for the weekends rather than for its goods transportation purpose in earlier years. Middle row sliding windows (interchangeably with T2) were standard with some markets even having last row sliding windows (these original items are highly sought after these days). Air-conditioning could either be fitted as standard or retrofitted (we must thank the Thais for they were the ones whom had continuously improved the aircon equivalent with modern day cars). Other creature comforts include power steering (unheard of back in the late 70s!) and automatic sidestep to allow better ingress/egress. A late development was the 4x4 capability (believed to be shared with Audi Quattro) in T3 designated as Synchros.

In the U.S., VW wanted a new name and Vanagon arose (combining Van and wagon) and is almost exclusively used for T3, thus giving rise to the name we used in our blog. Other names were used in different parts of Europe, people used Bus, Caravelle and Transporter, continuing the tradition of the hippie bus, van, kombi... As an ending note to this lengthy post, we are proud to note that our Sunshine could be the one and only air-cooled T3 left in Singapore.