This is the story of the rear-engined Volkswagen Transporter, the Beetle’s faithful road companion of which it was given the mechanics. Created from an ingenious idea sketched out in a diary, the Transporter came into the world at a crucial moment: the years of reconstruction after a disastrous Second World War. People needed everything; the economy had to get going again. So an inexpensive vehicle was needed to help recovery along: Volkswagen’s Transporter was the right answer at the right time. Produced in many different versions, the Bulli, nickname of the first model with divided rear windows was able to meet the needs of shopkeepers, artisans, holiday operators and even large families to become a mobile box. The vehicle’s versatility was proverbial and for years no competitor was able to offer so much personalisation as standard. The rear-engined versions accompanied mankind right through to the late eighties before being replaced by a banal front-engined, front-wheel drive vehicle that was no different from its competitors.