VW T3 | T25 | Vanagon - The 3rd generation of Transporter and its campers

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

The #VWT3, #VWT25 or #Vanagon - was a bit of a shock to Volkswagen purists when it was unveiled in May 1979. The cosy curves of the T1 Splitties and T2 Bay Windows were gone. Instead, the sharp angles and straight lines of a the new look that would propel the Transporter through the 80s and beyond.
This video focuses on the T3 or T25 - or Vanagon (depending where you are in the world). Whatever you call it, it is undoubtedly the last of the classic Transporters and the first #VW camper to bear the name California. Using great archive photos and video courtesy of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, our film charts some of the big T3 developments, including the first 4-wheel drive Transporter, the Syncro and the launch of the now ubiquitous Multivans.
There's even more detail on the T3 and all the other Transporter models and their campers in the book of the channel - "VW Campers for Beginners". Check out print and e-book versions on AMAZON - bit.ly/vwcampersforbeginners.
But what are the third generation Transporters really like to live with. Expert owners reveal the truth in this video: • Living with a VW T3 / ...
CAMPERVAN BOOKS FROM THE AUTHOR ON AMAZON:
* "VW CAMPERS FOR BEGINNERS - The Complete Guide to Owning Your First Volkswagen Campervan" - rb.gy/8lk6v
* "EUROPE BY CAMPERVAN - Turn Vanlife Dreams into Road Trip Reality" - shorturl.at/cflH8
CAMPERVAN BLOG: And there's yet more help, advice and campervan articles on my Vanlifevirgins blog:
www.vanlifevirgins.com
THANKS:
To Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the use of amazing archive photos and film in this video - and to The Ilkley Motor Company in West Yorkshire who allowed us to film a beautifully restored T3 camper - showing just how great these wedge-like wonders can look when given the right amount of TLC.

Пікірлер: 67

  • @user-iw4oy7yk1j
    @user-iw4oy7yk1j3 ай бұрын

    I love them Volkswagen camper vans I'd love to own one myself

  • @stephenrogers9664
    @stephenrogers96643 жыл бұрын

    A fantastic video totally loved it. We argued for a long time between a T2, & a T3. I finally won after searching for about 5yrs, & finally found a RH drive T3 Syncro in a camper in Australia. It needs a full resto but it’s my retirement car.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    That sounds brilliant. Where are you based? Might be interested in some filming once things open up again! Thanks for the comment.

  • @stephenrogers9664

    @stephenrogers9664

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Thecampervanchannel I’m based in Cairns Far North Queensland Australia. There weren’t a lot of RHD Syncro’s converted into Campervans with the pop top.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Would have loved to film, but as I'm in the UK, bit tricky. Thanks for making contact...and please do share the channel with other vw camper fans in Australia. Thanks again. Chris

  • @pokemonmandag2108
    @pokemonmandag210810 ай бұрын

    Loved that video. Do more on the T3

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    10 ай бұрын

    They're in the pipeline!

  • @gailwood2235
    @gailwood22353 жыл бұрын

    Great video again. Thank you

  • @byfunkyoid2917
    @byfunkyoid2917 Жыл бұрын

    Well I thought we here in the UK called it a T25. I certainly do and I own a Doka and a Camper. Love them. So spacious and just my style.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    Жыл бұрын

    Very lucky!

  • @eurovanjava5556
    @eurovanjava55563 жыл бұрын

    I had one of 'em like 15 years ago, given by NATO to the Indonesian government through the Indonesian red cross, and the project never been delivered successfully so the red cross auction it to the public. the population of the T3 generation here in Indonesia quite a few, perhaps rare. Really wanted to drive that strong Watercooled-T3 again. :')

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    So many stories behind these great vehicles!

  • @vwforever4131
    @vwforever41312 жыл бұрын

    We bought a 90 Westy here in the Los Angeles area four years ago. We've taken it to Canada and to the Mexican border, and the Grand Canyon. In two weeks, we're driving to Georgia then Washington state, then back to LA. Even with an upgraded engine (GW 2.3), with all the weight, we can still only go so fast (or should I say so slow). We're still trying to figure out that Vanagon syndrome. But, we really enjoy it. It's my wife's daily driver. (my daily driver is my 70 beetle.)

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like you've certainly got the syndrome! Have a fantastic trip

  • @69mag

    @69mag

    2 жыл бұрын

    I went through all the electrical culprits trying to get my Syncro to start, had to replace the engine bay wire harness, now it runs REAL good. Just sayin...

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Great to hear!

  • @paulcarters3125
    @paulcarters31253 жыл бұрын

    Great informative video thanks 👍

  • @DanTheManIOM
    @DanTheManIOM3 жыл бұрын

    Since I have camper vans, I MUST subscribe !

  • @jettajazz
    @jettajazz3 жыл бұрын

    Very informative video! Awesome explanation about our beloved Vanagons. Thank you! Greetings from Las Vegas!

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    You are very welcome! Great to have viewers Stateside!

  • @HelenBradley
    @HelenBradley3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I now have some more names to use for my T3 😜

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Just a great van by any name!

  • @waysidetavern
    @waysidetavern2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this T3 video! 👍 I grew up in my parents (3) Split Screen caravanettes - as they were called in the '60's, nowadays I'm the proud co-owner of an '87 RHD Westfalia T3 and he's our Pride & Joy! 😊 Roll-on next year 2022, when Britain will be truly "open" again. 🤞

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely. It's been a bit patchy this year !

  • @Fierrosporcelular
    @Fierrosporcelular2 жыл бұрын

    Loved the video. Subscribed. Cheers from Argentina.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Great to have you on board!

  • @Ramsi-Berlin
    @Ramsi-Berlin Жыл бұрын

    The T3 is my absolute favourite car ❣️ I was so sad, when the T4 come out 😅 Love from Berlin 🇩🇪 Ramsi 😘

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    Жыл бұрын

    I think they were a bit unloved in the UK for many years.....but not any more !

  • @Ramsi-Berlin

    @Ramsi-Berlin

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Thecampervanchannel Which is the most popular in the UK ❔ I love rear wheel drive and the engine in the back ❣️ Like Ferdinand Porsche build it... with Boxer engine (flat) My dream is a T3 with Swap of 6 cylinder Porsche engine, transmission and break's... like the "Claer 964" Or the Porsche B32, Air-cooled turbo from RUF with around 600 hp.... Than the T3 can drive 130 mph/220 km/h topspeed 🤪🤣 The T3 has the same CW Wert like a Lamborghini Countasch... CW 0,46 But with spoiler from ProjectZwoo u can change to 0,38 That's not so bad 😅

  • @veedubgeezer
    @veedubgeezer Жыл бұрын

    Don't forget the Autohomes conversions. Premium conversions done here in the UK. We have a Komet and absolutely love it. We picked it over a T2 Bay as we found it to be cosier for camping in and more useable for day to day use. It's been around Belgium with us and is just as happy lugging a new washing machine for us! We've out grown the van, but couldn't let go. We now sleep in an awning tent whilst using the van as a lounge/kitchen.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    Жыл бұрын

    Great to hold on to them you can. Bet everyone regrets letting them go

  • @SKSK-rz7br
    @SKSK-rz7br3 жыл бұрын

    Love it .... just found your channel and subscribed ... i have the California - great vehicle

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! An overview of the California story is coming soon!

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    California story has arrived on the channel! Thought you'd be interested

  • @rhiantaylor3446
    @rhiantaylor34462 жыл бұрын

    An enjoyable watch. I recall a video (Mustie1 ?) of an owner of both a T3 and a T4/5/6 Westy saying he preferred the older T3 because its "forward" driving position gave a much better view of the landscape in front. Having driven both a Splittie and Bay quite a bit plus loads of modern vans, I can see his point.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Seems to be a big surge of in interest in these vans. This is now the most watched video on the channel!

  • @thepesh
    @thepesh2 жыл бұрын

    First - i have Ford, second i wish to be one day someone made similar youtube channel so professional and so smart like your Chris ! Fantastic work with all history of the models and tons of information. Best Regards from Doncaster

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad to have a fan on Yorkshire! Thank you

  • @minercraft1462

    @minercraft1462

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ford - 👎

  • @magdyelaish9785
    @magdyelaish97852 жыл бұрын

    The best..ever

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    And the most popular video on the channel!

  • @logothaironsides2942
    @logothaironsides29422 жыл бұрын

    so thats what a vanagon is! We have the type 25 1985 model

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Doesn't matter what you call them.... just great things

  • @stephenport4768
    @stephenport476814 күн бұрын

    I have your book on order through the price range as I'm looking for one what sort of money should you budget for ie... bottom price average condition and top condition examples many thanks

  • @hanstolo
    @hanstolo2 жыл бұрын

    question: when does the Caravelle appears in this?

  • @gordonblues843
    @gordonblues843 Жыл бұрын

    My main gripes with this van: The front bumper sill designed to catch water and rust out, the lack of places to put anything in the cab. There is nowhere apart from the glove box, no cup holders, no shelf, not pockets, no console, nada. Why???

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    Жыл бұрын

    It is strange.... especially when VW apparently took YEARS to develop it. Far from being a rush job!

  • @Ford_TImelord

    @Ford_TImelord

    Жыл бұрын

    I have an IKEA Kuggis box with the tray divider top in between my front seats and it works really well as cab storage that you can take out easily and don't have to modify the cab. You just have to remove the handbrake cover and it will sit in perfectly

  • @TheDumbassSoldier
    @TheDumbassSoldier Жыл бұрын

    I would love to get VW T3 as camping vehicle uwu

  • @olaniyanmichael640
    @olaniyanmichael6403 жыл бұрын

    Great informations but I hope VW correctly looked into this class of products and correctly amend this new products cars especially their my love from Michael.

  • @arikuditoto5719
    @arikuditoto57192 жыл бұрын

    2 thumbs-up

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks...for both of them!

  • @arikuditoto5719

    @arikuditoto5719

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Thecampervanchannel your welcome sir.

  • @DanTheManIOM
    @DanTheManIOM3 жыл бұрын

    In addition to the shape change, they were slow, and expensive, and the water cooled ones had head gasket issues due to aluminum. They came with a no questions asked 40K mile warranty on head gaskets. And 80 HP for a 4K pound vehicle ? Have you ever driven a diesel, they are slower than a splitty.

  • @johnkempf1808

    @johnkempf1808

    3 жыл бұрын

    They are still popular enough that new heads with better alloy are currently being made and nobody ever bought a stock VW van to be sporty.

  • @DanTheManIOM

    @DanTheManIOM

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@johnkempf1808 And no one will ever restore a town and country, but these they will...

  • @ivanivonovich9863

    @ivanivonovich9863

    3 жыл бұрын

    As to speed... I had Diesel that could do 55 mph! (Downhill, with a good tailwind). Got passed by everyone, even Factory Homes! Only time I could pass anyone was going up a 5% grade, and that was only until I crested the top of the hill.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    Жыл бұрын

    The one on Netflix's "Stranger Things" goes like a Ferrari! (TV trickery perhaps?)

  • @Maximoootom
    @Maximoootom2 жыл бұрын

    Why did VW keep making T2 and T3s so late on other continents? Other manufacturers discontinued old models after the rollout of new models. VW making T2s for 47 years and T3s for 12 years with improvements is so weird! Love it.

  • @Thecampervanchannel

    @Thecampervanchannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Bonkers isn't it. Maybe someone knows the official reason? I'm guessing it's making use of old tooling and making money in markets where folks are still prepared to buy the old models?

  • @michaelconverse5127

    @michaelconverse5127

    Жыл бұрын

    Because they kept selling in strong numbers. The T2 was in production in Brazil until 2014 and it was still the best selling van in its segment. The only reason it was discontinued is because vw could not find a way to add airbags which were becoming a requirement. That is one of the very rare cases that vw stopped selling a model for reasons other than sales. The real Beetle was sold through the early 2004 model year. They would have kept on selling it but sales were starting to slide the last few years. That was in large part due to the fact that fleet sales made up a considerable part of sales in the early 2000s and a new law came into effect that required taxis to have 4 doors. Sales went down by about half and vw didn’t feel the expense in tooling up for a 4 door beetle was with it although it was considered.

  • @SUP-2101
    @SUP-21013 жыл бұрын

    Ничего не понятно, но очень интересно! Т3 - как космический корабль пришельцев, квадратен, непривычен и странный. Ощущения от управления - несравнимы ни с чем! Это как заразная бацылла, достаточно раз проехаться и ты либо его возненавидиш либо полюбиш навеки)

  • @nickwf70
    @nickwf70 Жыл бұрын

    It's a type 25, stop calling it a type 3 😤.... For people who are confused Google Volkswagen type 3 🙄 The T25 was an updated T2... Hence the next transporter was the type 4 because they had already done the T3 name in the 70's. Other than that great video 😉.

  • @kamz4576

    @kamz4576

    4 ай бұрын

    A) It is not a "type 3", it is a T3. The T in T3 stands for Transporter, while the 3 designates third generation. B) It is a Type 2, as are the first (T1, Splitwindow) and second (T2, Baywindow) generation Transporters. The third generation is more commonly referred to as specifically a Type 25 to differentiate it from it predecessors.

  • @nickwf70

    @nickwf70

    4 ай бұрын

    @@kamz4576 absolutely right and if you search for the type 3 on the internet you will find it's a Volkswagen Variant not a van which is why it drives me mad every one called the T25 a TEE 3 , MY TEEEEE 3 ect ect 😕

  • @nickwf70

    @nickwf70

    4 ай бұрын

    @@kamz4576 Also if you look up the official genuine VW service manual, would do VW call the VW type 2 or the VW type 2.5? A TYPE 2.5? Does it say T2.5? No, so you are in fact wrong about that. It's only later on they started doing that like in the 1990's. T4, 5, 6, 6.1. Type 1 is the original beetle.

  • @JosipM333
    @JosipM333 Жыл бұрын

    💪💪💪👍👍👍

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