Volkswagen T1
Built: 1955-1977 · Series: T1
More machines from model year 1955
Volkswagen T1 – the collective page of the first Transporter from Kombi and panel van to pickup bed and double cab: air-cooled boxer engine with 32 kW, unladen weight 810 to 1,448 kg
This page gathers the Volkswagen T1, the first Transporter, which Volkswagen built from 1950 to 1967 in Wolfsburg and Hanover on the Beetle's running gear. Kombi denotes the version with bench seats and side windows, Kastenwagen the windowless cargo version, Pick-up and Single Cab the open bed with one row of seats, double cab (Doka) with two. Power came from the air-cooled boxer engine out of the Beetle, initially of 1.1 and finally 1.6 litres.
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The register lists here 15 versions with 32 kW from four-cylinders of 1,300 to 1,957 cm³, unladen weights from 810 to 1,448 kg, gross weights from 1,355 to 2,330 kg, lengths from 4,170 to 4,290 mm, widths from 1,650 to 1,960 mm and heights from 1,920 to 1,940 mm.
The T1, popularly known as the Bulli, shaped the image of post-war mobility in Europe as a van, minibus and the basis of countless special bodies, and became a symbol of camper and surfer culture; it founded the Transporter line that continues to this day from the T2 onward.
On used examples, rust on the floor pan, sills and wheel arches, the condition of the engine and gearbox, the tightness of the window rubbers, the condition of the brake system and the often-upgraded electrics all count; parts are widely available through a large enthusiast scene and specialist Bulli parts dealers.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Volkswagen T1, Volkswagen AG (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 4correct |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,776 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Width | 1,960 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 3,800 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,200 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,300 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Volkswagen T1 weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,200 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Volkswagen T1?
2,300 kg.
What engine does the Volkswagen T1 have?
4 cylinders, 1,776 cm³ displacement.
When was the Volkswagen T1 built?
Production years: 1955-1977.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 9 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
T1 BESTEL
T1 COMBI
T1 DOKA
T1 DUBBEL CABINE
T1 KASTENWAGEN
T1 PANEL VAN
T1 PICK UP TESLA DUAL MOTOR
T1 PICK-UP
T1 PICKUP
T1 SINGLE CAB
T1 SINGLE CAB PICKUP
T1 TRANSPORTER
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Van in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
