Volkswagen: Caravan in Bulli's honor 🎥

With the Bulli, you rolled into another world. And if it's the Swiss mountains, all the better.

In everyday life, however, it is immediately clear to everyone which vehicle they are talking about when they hear the term "Bulli", i.e. a combination of bus and delivery van. The most significant technical change in recent years was the switch from rear- to front-wheel drive when the fourth generation debuted in 1990.

Relationship with a special model
Actually, there is hardly anyone who does not like the VW bus. Hippies drove it, surfers, businessmen and families. And 40 years ago, it was even available with an electric motor.

Only very few automobiles have earned a nickname. Volkswagen's strawberry basket, for example, Fiat's Topolino or Citroën's Goddess. And Bulli for the T.

It usually resonates with something loving, a special relationship that people have built up over the years with a special model.

First as a Beetle-based panel van
But although the Bulli has become dear to so many people's hearts, its history began rather soberly 70 years ago: namely, with a simple VW Beetle-based panel truck that employees in Wolfsburg had designed to transport heavy objects around the plant.

Little enthusiasm among environmentalists
All this went through my mind when I joined the Bulli caravan on the occasion of the anniversary with a blue T1, which after all can rattle 25 hp on the road. It was to go through Switzerland over several days and end with a festival with more oldies made in Hanover, where the T series comes off the production line, and Wolfsburg.

Environmentalists didn't like this idea very much and promised something hefty. For the organizers, this was reason enough to give way to the fun of the car and forego the meeting.

No serious repair on the tour
Owners of older vehicles had come together to form the caravan, and new Californias, one based on a Crafter, rolled along to supply them.

By the way: None of the cars had to undergo more serious repairs during the tour, which lasted several days. You can see what the Bullis had to do in the video and some impressions in the gallery. Have fun.

Uphill it went nevertheless with speed 30 km/h
Back to the car. Power steering, no air conditioning, and the windows in the doors could only be pushed to the side to get some fresh air. I had four gears plus one reverse and the wise advice of Tour patron Claude Schaub not to exceed the top speed of 60 km/h too often. Well, uphill the needle just trembled the 30 timidly. So everything was in perfect order.

Primal trust to the aged automobile
From the first meter, I felt a sense of basic trust in the T1. After all, we were almost the same age group, and that's what connects people and metal. If you've lasted this long in life, you're not going to give up in front of a few mountains. This refers to various Swiss passes and especially the idyllic but treacherous little road to the Grimsel.

And something has already surprised me. From the first moment I did not feel like part of a column of vehicles that was randomly assembled for a special occasion.

Everyone showed interest in their neighbors and helped wherever there was something to help. Of course, it was mainly about the van, but the shared experience did not fall by the wayside.

The next trip is already on the agenda
It's clear that the Bulli family is already planning the next trip. Where to, is not revealed. See above. After all, it's not easy to spoil the fun with and around a Bulli.

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