VW T1 “Barndoor” Coca-Cola Company

On 8 March 1950, series production of the Transporter began at the VW plant in Wolfsburg. The price of the “Type 2” was 5850 DM, 150 DM above the price of a fully equipped Beetle. Adjusted for inflation, this corresponds to about 16,500 euros. The more spacious Tempo Matador with front-wheel drive offered around the same time cost DM 7100. The standard T1 had a front with a split windscreen of flat glass. VW’s trademark was emblazoned in the centre of a V-shaped bead. The dimensions of the first production model were 4150 mm length, 1660 mm width and 1900 mm height, with a wheelbase of 2400 mm. The kerb weight was 975 kg and the payload, as outlined by Ben Pon, 750 kg.

The first series of the T1 was built until February 1955. Known in insider circles as the Barndoor.  The term refers not to the hinged side doors, but to the barn-sized tailgate.

This VW T1 panel van, built in September 1954, belongs to the rare first version of the T1. At that time, it was delivered in typical Transporter pigeon blue, with the special feature of hinged double cargo doors on both sides.

In 1929, Coca-Cola found its way to Austria. Heinrich Ganahl from Bludenz concluded the first bottling and distribution contract with The Coca-Cola Company. The production of 24,000 bottles in the first year marked the beginning of the Coca-Cola success story in Austria. Around a decade later, the Coca-Cola GmbH branch was founded in Vienna. The Second World War stopped the further development of Coca-Cola in Austria, but in 1953 Paul König OHG in Lambach started production again. At that time, Coca-Cola Austria had 21 employees, four trucks and a tour manager’s car. At that time, 2,681 crates of 24 bottles each were sold. In 1954, Coca-Cola franchises were founded in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz. Since the VW Transporter was the first choice as a van for suppliers, Coca-Cola Getränke Gesellschaft m.B.H Wien probably also decided on a VW Bus.

This rare VW Transporter was found last year in Austria. It drove under the internal number #582 for Coca-Cola Factory in Vienna for several years. It has not yet been possible to find out what happened after that. Probably the fleet was extended by T2 buses and #582 was left to its fate in a forest. According to its condition, it stood in the open for several decades. At some point a tree fell on it.

It is easy to see that the first layer of paint on the pigeon blue is the original Coca-Cola paint.

The car was found without engine and without papers.

This vehicle is either a work of art for the front garden or a unique restoration object.

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