Large gathering of historic VW buses near Amsterdam: "Barndoor Gathering 2018" celebrates the early T1 buses

• On May 19 and 20, the Netherlands will become a mecca for T1 buses produced between 1950 and 1955
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will bring the oldest "barn door" registered in Germany

Hannover, May 15, 2018 – Next weekend, the Netherlands will become a mecca of the T1 world. That is because Amersfoort – located just outside of Amsterdam – will be the venue for the European "Barndoor Gathering" on May 19 and 20 – a meet for early VW Bulli buses built from 1950 to 1955. No place in the Netherlands is more appropriate for this T1 festival than Amersfoort. That is because, back in the middle of the past century, Ben Pon – a legendary VW #bus visionary and Volkswagen importer – used the rail freight terminal of this small city as a central hub for the delivery of Volkswagen Beetles and Transporters from Germany.

The engine compartment doors of the first Volkswagen buses looked massive, like a barn door. This was the origin of the nickname "barn door" in the VW "Bulli" scene. It represented the majority of T1 buses produced at the Volkswagen's Wolfsburg plant until 1955. In early 1955, the engine cover was reduced in size when a boot lid was introduced – and this ended the "barn door" era. Then, in 1956, T1 production began in the new plant in Hannover. Today, the "barn door" T1 is one of the most valuable vintage VW Bullis. Around 100 of them will be on display at the site of the old freight yard in Amersfoort – this is an #event that is unique across Europe.
Also making their appearance at the "Barndoor Gathering" in the Netherlands – the second edition of this #event after the first in 2014 – are Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge Oldtimer, the classic car specialists from Hannover. They will bring "Sofie" with them – the oldest registered VW #bus in Germany. The blue T1 was manufactured in August 1950 – just five months after the production launch of the Transporter.
But not only are buses expected in Amersfoort. Also welcome are all Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 3 and many other vehicles – essentially the entire family of Volkswagen vehicles with air-cooled engines. The excursion is all the more worthwhile, because not only is Amsterdam a possible side trip destination; the Markermeer and Ijsselmeer are also nearby. You can find more information on the #event and travel directions at www.benpon.com.