The Volkswagen Type 2 van has become an undisputable pop culture icon since its initial introduction in the 1950s. Perhaps best known for being a favourite with hippies in the 1960s and still going strong today, VW vans certainly aren’t going to lose their place in automotive history any time soon. But which can be considered the top VW vans of all time, thus cementing their reputation as the Kombinationskraftwagen of kings? Read on to find out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWyH_twcMl0
5) The Hoover family’s (Little Miss Sunshine) - Pretty much the entirety of the film is set inside the Hoover family’s ageing yellow Volkswagen T2 microbus. The poor thing breaks down pretty early on in the 800 mile journey, the family soon discovering that it must be pushed until it reaches 20 miles an hour (and then jumped into while still moving) if they expect to get any further. Five different modified vans were used during filming, with a lot of the problems encountered with the microbus during the film coming from writer Michael Arndt’s own experiences as a child.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDS81Ibazdk
4) The Libyans’ (Back to the Future) - A light blue VW fan has a cameo in the first Back to the Future film (although it is, of course, easily eclipsed in screen time by the series’ famous DeLorean DMC-12). Containing a bunch of Libyan terrorists who Doc Brown stole his plutonium from, they gun him down and force Marty to attempt to escape in the time machine (which results in him ending up in 1955 due to the date Doc had programmed into the DeLorean as an example). Arguably not the most laid back VW vans owners on this list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLvKs2LMBdw
3) The Trio’s (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - Compromised of Warren Mears, Jonathan Levinson and Andrew Wells, the trio are three nerds who attempt to establish themselves as Buffy’s nemeses (with varying degrees of success). The trio’s van (which may or may not be a VW) is painted black and originally had an elaborate Death Star design sprayed onto the side by Andrew before Warren told him to remove for being too conspicuous (although they kept the Star Wars horn, it seems). Perhaps they should have looked into some cheap vehicle contracts?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP8tgAJ4GNc
2) DHARMA Initiative (Lost) - A fleet of blue Volkswagen Type 2s used by the DHARMA Initiative to transport both people and supplies around Lost’s enigmatic island. DHARMA (otherwise known as the Department of Heuristics And Research on Material Applications) was founded in 1970, which arguably explains their choice of vehicle. When the survivors find one in the present day (or, minor spoilers, rather what happens to be the present day in that particular episode) it is Hurley who manages to eventually get it working again, the van’s 8-track player blaring out Shambala by Three Dog Night as its engine bursts back into life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCb_ZgVoLrg
1) Mystery Machine (Scooby Doo) - The Mystery Machine is the undisputed king of iconic VW vans. Appearing in every kind of Scooby Doo media from films to video games, its distinctive paint job and steady supply of Scooby Snacks kept within (whatever they may or may not be) made it a favourite with both car and cartoon fans all over the world. You can even hire your own via van leasing UK!