Question of the Week: which is the Volkswagen Transporter’s best generation?

Last week marked the 70th anniversary since the very first Volkswagen Transporter launched at Earl’s Court in 1954. Safe to say, it’s had some success since then, with over 13 million units sold. That success will likely only continue with the all-new seventh-generation set for launch next year… but it got us thinking: which has been the best version yet?

We won’t be surprised if the vast majority of you lot cast your vote for the first generation, so fondly referred to as the ‘original’ Campervan or, in some corners of the world, the ‘Samba Bus’. We prefer the latter because it sounds a tad more exotic. Oh, extra points for those who mention a window count.

Then there’s the T2, which carried across most of the original styling quirks of the Samba but focused a little more on drivability and dynamics. It brought with it a raft of new mechanicals, including upgraded intakes, while VW even offered an electric version to foreshadow the ID.Buzz. Maybe.

The T3 arrived in 1979 with an all-new chassis, which meant a bigger body offering more space, more cargo capacity and supposedly improved safety. Mechanically, it had a flat-engine setup with upgraded catalytic converters and turbos. All-wheel drive was also a big addition, while diesel powertrain options were thrown in too. 

It sounds… dull, right? That’s probably because the T3 is the point where the Campervan started to transition into the Transporter that it’s come to be known as today, shying somewhat away from the recreational duties they’d come to be associated with and placing a bigger impetus on work-related activities. 

So we’d like to know from you, dear readers: which generation of Volkswagen’s long-standing people carrier remains your favourite? We look forward to combing through the comments section to form the customary result post on Friday. See you there.