Why did VW stop making the Barndoor?

ldsvwguy

I've never owned one, but I do dig 'em. I really like the spacious engine area of a BD and I like that the gas tank and spare tire are back there in the engine compartment. So, does anyone know why VW stopped making barndoors?

Jake Martinez · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

they did upgrade to a big trunk/storage hatch.
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UZI · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject:

Ive heard that they needed a "transitional model" until the bay window was developed for production.
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tstracy39 · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:02 pm Post subject:

It wasn't so much a major change in production as a minor and inevitable "upgrade" and facelift, to make everyone think they were buying a brand new design. Beetles got one as far back as 1952, so it's actually surprising they didn't make the changes to the Buses until 55.
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EverettB · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:09 pm Post subject:

My guess would be the various upgrades made the newer model a "better" Bus.

Front end rides nicer.

Rear hatch is an improvement.

On the rear hatch, it's the same with the 64-67 rear hatch over the 55-63 one.

If you use the rear deck, a hatch and rear loading area is better and a spring-loaded and wider rear hatch is better still.
From a customer perspective, if not an ascetic one.
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BUCIOBATISTI · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:51 pm Post subject:

EverettB · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 10:46 pm Post subject:

That too.

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ukdj · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 5:54 pm Post subject:

That's funny right there!
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Blue Baron · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:13 am Post subject:

Volkswagen never stopped building the Transporter. "Barndoor" is a jargon term referring to the large rear engine lid. Volkswagen added the rear hatch across the model range to increase interior space and gain easy loading access to the rear of the vehicle.

joe56vw · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:18 am Post subject:

if you think about VW is the only car company that made any of there models for more then a couple of years
i can't really think of any other car model that ran for more then 4-5 years before a major change happen
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Dave24 · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:51 am Post subject:

volksfahrer.nl · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:18 am Post subject:

Enfo · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:26 am Post subject:

mightymouse · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:25 am Post subject:

Well i would say it started with the ambulance.

Rear loading was needed and it was apparent very early on. So they tooled up and did the ambulance conversion.
At the same time the behr fresh air scoop was being installed acrossed the world to provide better ventilation.
So as advancement would have it, they realized.... hey these "mods" need to be standard on every model.
They also noticed the BD suspension was too weak to carry very much weight at all.

So with some time on the drawing board id guess they decided to just unveil the "upgrade" package as soon as they could get it dialed.

They didnt "stop making the barndoor" it was just progress that killed a model that we love now, that was simply less than desireable to the buyers of the day.

my .02c
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