September 1985: Volkswagen presents a new T3 model at the IAA - the Multivan. It enriches the T model series with its very own, new type of mobility. A crossover in which Volkswagen combines the best of three worlds: the driving characteristics and dimensions of a passenger car, the spaciousness of a van and the versatility of a compact camper van. This makes the Multivan one of the first vehicles to be perfectly compatible with every family's everyday automotive life, while at the same time offering plenty of space and variability for all conceivable travel and leisure activities.
Development history
Marketing and sales experts at Volkswagen in Hanover had noticed in the early 1980s that the T3 was increasingly being driven as a private all-rounder. Thanks to its enormous versatility, the third generation of the Transporter replaced the often only slightly shorter but always significantly smaller passenger cars as the more contemporary all-rounder for many families and sporty people such as surfers.
At the end of the 1970s and beginning of the 1980s, customers were able to retrofit a normal T3 with camper components such as cupboards and a fold-down bed thanks to the modular "Mosaic Joker" furnishing program, while better-off camping enthusiasts could opt for the compact "Joker" motorhome from Westfalia. Now, however, the additional aim was to develop a car interior that was as modern as it was suitable for everyday use, which would close the gap between the "Joker" and the Volkswagen "Caravelle" bus with up to eight seats. The joint result of Volkswagen and Westfalia was three different concepts: one with a flat cupboard on the left in the rear, one with two removable and foldable individual seats in the rear and one with a fixed seat in the rear plus a cool box. What they all had in common was a rear bench seat that could be folded down to form a bed. Volkswagen favored the variants with two individual seats and with an individual seat and cool box. It was the conceptual birth of the Multivan.
All-rounder
Volkswagen described the new Multivan in 1985 as follows: "With its high-quality chassis, it drives like a passenger car and handles like a car. However, thanks to its ideal design and well thought-out layout, it has far more space. And the equipment is its special plus: space for up to 6 people, comfortable seats with adjustable seats in the driver's cab, a single seat with storage compartment in the rear, a three-seater bench seat with storage space that can be converted into a reclining, sleeping or sitting area at the touch of a button, as well as a folding table and a cool box." The Volkswagen conclusion: "Family, travel, leisure, hobby, sleeping and city car" all in one. Voted.
Legendary status
The Multivan T3 became fully cult as a special model. In 1988, the Multivan "Magnum" made its debut with striking twin headlights and massive bumpers in the style of the Caravelle "Carat". This was followed in 1989 by the "Blue Star" and "White Star" - named after their exterior colors. The equipment included a sports chassis and alloy wheels with wide tires. Volkswagen adapted the front grille with twin headlights and the bumpers from the "Magnum". All three models showed how sporty, exclusive and cool a van can be that was once developed on the basis of a van. But it is precisely this authentic origin that has always made all Bulli models honest all-rounders, in which every detail must always be functionally well thought out and designed with crystal clarity and perfect form.
The Multivan T3 was discontinued in 1990. Actually. Because Volkswagen decided to surprise fans in 1992 - two years after the launch of its successor, the Multivan T4 - with a "Limited Last Edition" of the Multivan T3. 2,500 exclusive examples were produced and sold from one moment to the next. They increased the production number of the Multivan T3 to 45,000, quite a few of which still exist today. The special models "Magnum", "Blue Star" and "White Star" have already been ennobled with the German H license plate for classic cars; the "Limited Last Edition" will also enter this Automotive Hall of Fame in 2022. It's time to secure yourself a copy.
