A Little VW Transporter History

Volkswagen’s bus is one of the most recognizable vehicles ever made. The VW bus wasn’t only a hit in post-war Germany, as its popularity stretched across the Atlantic to the U.S., where it became a counterculture icon of the 1960s. Though it had its U.S. heyday in the 1960s, the van’s history stretches before and after this time period, with tons of enthusiasts and collectors all around the world.

Known in the U.S. as the VW Bus and in the U.K. as the VW Camper, the official name for the vehicle is the Transporter. This name for the VW bus is especially fitting, as the vehicle quickly became popular for its ability to carry large groups of people. With the automobile’s huge influence on the countercultural movements of the 1960s and its striking design, it’s easy to see how the iconic VW bus evolved through the years.

Known as a Type 2 Transporter, the trucks were introduced in early 1950 and was one of the most advanced commercial vehicles of the time due to its frameless unit-body construction, which had more than 10,000 welds.

Because the Transporter was derived from the Beetle, VW engineers purposely shared their mechanical components as much as possible for supply simplicity and reduced costs. The four-speed manual transmissions and air-cooled boxer four-cylinder engines (1,200-, 1,300-, and 1,500cc’s) powered both vehicles through 1967, which was the Transporter’s last year with split-windshield styling. Despite being chronically underpowered, the Bus and its variants’ curb weights were kept down, and VW engineers equipped them with reduction boxes. These boxes contained two extra gears on the ends of both rear axles that reduced the transmission’s final drive ratio to a basement-level 5.73:1; this allowed for a respectable 3/4-ton payload capacity but limited top speed to 50-65 mph, depending on engine size. The Beetle also donated its basic four-wheel independent suspension with enclosed torsion bars, suitably modified for heavy-duty use.

Both Volkswagen models underwent a gradual metamorphosis, evolving only as engineering refinements or safety regulations decreed. The medium-sized Transporter proved popular for both commercial and private use. The box-on-wheels could be had as a basic panel van, a work/personal Kombi van with removable seats (1950), a deluxe “Samba” bus that seated eight (1951), and in 1952, as a Single-Cab truck (a factory-built three-door Double Cab would follow in 1959). The VW Pick Up bed was lined with oak strips, earning the German nickname “Pritschenwagen,” and designed as a platform with no wheel-arch intrusions. Its folding side and tail drop-gates gave the vehicle amazing flexibility for loading and hauling. The locking compartment under the bed, situated between the engine compartment and the cab, and popularly known as the “treasure chest,” offered another 20 square feet of weatherproof storage. Single Cab and Double Cab Pick Ups could even be optioned with a bed-mounted metal and wood frame that was covered with a fitted canvas tarpaulin.

In ten years of production, the 1962 Pick Up had gained engine displacement, grown a full-length dashboard, new bumpers and DOT-appeasing lamps, received a better fresh-air ventilation system and minor sheetmetal refinements.

Fun Bits About The Trucks

We drive them everywhere & it’s a blast, even with the old school 4 speed transmission, no air conditioning or power steering

If you give us a honk on the road and we are in the OG just know her horn doesn’t work, we will try to give you a peace sign

We have the best VW mechanic located in Safety Harbor, Florida & we call him the “VW Whisperer” & when either VW visits we to it as a “Spa Retreat”

Posies fleet ranges from 1960 to 1971 & are all German made

There’s a large Florida based VW group called Local Volks that all of the girls belong to

The trucks have a sister from another mister, a 1965 VW Camper Bus named Sky #skyvwbus

Posies Flower Truck
Goose goals, right here! ❤️🪿 - watching the printing of our commemorative valentines stickers is pure entertainment! Maybe??? Or are we just a lil delulu with the Super Bowl of flowers just days away? 🤪 Oh and yes, thats a “silly goose” on a posies sticker. 

Thank you @carrcolabels for sending us these ridiculously fun clips.
Avast ye, landlubbers! Prepare to be boarded and stripped of yer posies! Surrender your blooms, or prepare to walk the plank!

Arrr, after narrowly escapin’ the pillagin’ and plunderin’, them Tampanians will still have their blooms. Shiver me timbers, even the roughest sea dogs can’t stop the flowers from bloomin’!

We have safe harbor all weekend inside @armatureworks_tampa!

HAPPY GASPARILLA TAMPA! 🏴‍☠️
We’re so very busy finalizing everything Valentines but one thing is certain DOGHOUSE DAY is set! 

Now a Posies tradition, we continue to save relationships while taking cute pup photos the day after Valentines 💌, February 15! 🐶 🐾 🌼 (We really use this to take cute pup photos with one of our flower trucks, if we save a relationship along the way it’s a win- win! 😂)

With our friends at @downtowndogstampa, @nicolegellerpetphotography and @hydeparkvillage we will capture the cutest moments of your best friend with our sweet flower truck Rosie! Sweet treats, discounts on flowers (for those who want out of the doghouse) are available that day! 

Limited spots, registration required, includes 3 digital photos! Don’t delay these spots go super fast! Visit our website to register, $30 per spot.
Let the pirate invasion commence! Let’s see what the pirates 🏴‍☠️ pilfer this year, they can’t be trusted!
An early foggy Sunday morning view as we bring the Posies trucks to life.

“Van Go” is the lead character in this little snippet, driving blooms from one beautiful spot to another.
Just Girls & Flowers - what a beautiful combination! Enjoy the cooler weather as it flies in and out as only Florida can do. Thank you for sharing such precious moments, especially @delanaka for the sweetest visit to the truck. 💕 

#posiesflowertruck #flowers #flowerpower #florida #tampa
Monochrome or technicolor dream?

#posiesflowertruck #blackandwhite #attentiontodetail
A little Sunday morning VW engine sound aka “good morning yes I’m awake” from Miss Rosie. #iykyk
Closing out 2025 feeling incredibly proud and deeply grateful.

This year was built on a lot of hard work, long days, early mornings, and a team that shows up again and again with care, creativity, and heart. Together, we moved over 230,000 stems, added another truck to the road, grew our team to more than 20 people, and officially turned on delivery, something we’ve been working toward for a long time. We were out with the trucks 250+ times, kept Armature Works open for 2,750+ hours, and learned (once again) that roses and gerberas will always have a special place here.

None of this happens without the people behind the scenes and the community that continues to support Posies, season after season. To our staff: thank you for your energy, your reliability, your creativity, and the care you bring to every single day. And to our community: thank you for choosing us for celebrations, milestones, ordinary Tuesdays, and everything in between.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re carrying everything we learned this year with us—excited, grounded, and ready to keep building something special. We really rocked it this year, and we’re just getting started. 
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#posiesflowertruck #2025recap #flowergram #2025flowers #
2025 thank you for all the lessons! 2026 we’re ready! 🎆 🎉 🍾
Time to “paws & reflect” the good times of 2025 with some of our favorite wagging tails.  How we cherish the moments YOU create by sharing your pups and photos with us, it just warms the heart. 🐶 🐾 💕 

Thank you to all our loyal fur friends, @nicolegellerpetphotography for your amazing skills during our pup shoots and to all the animals who capture a Posies pose with us. 2025 was not short of adventures and adorable moments.

Enjoy the reflection!
Merry Christmas! 🌲🎁
May the magic of Christmas fill every corner of your home and heart.

Love, Your Posies Family 💕
These Boots aka Tires are made for walking aka rolling! 

@armatureworks_tampa Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday - inside our cute little shop, 10am-6pm (closing early 3pm Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day)

@hydeparkvillage Friday & Saturday, 11am-3pm

@stpetepier Friday, Saturday &. Sunday 19am-6pm

Gift Cards Available! Same Day Delivery Available!

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