The VW Hippie Van: peace love and freedom
The hippie counter-culture loved their VW vans
For a generation who came of age in the 1960″s, the VW Van embodies peace love and freedom.. One of the most iconic symbols of the 60’s is the VW Van, or the Hippie Van. Although not the exclusive transportation vehicle of the Hippie counter-culture, the VW Van was definitely a transportation of choice. VW introduced the VW Microbus in 1950. Young adult adventurers, especially Deadheads, and surfers, embraced this economical, versatile van for their free-wheeling, Bohemian lifestyle. Not only did the VW Bus get them to their next destination, but doubled as a home on the road.
Microbus owners easily customized their vans to suit their individual needs. Van owners creatively decked out and painted their rides to reflect the owner’s love of the lifestyle (check out this video for some groovy examples: HIPPY VW vans – YouTube). VW stopped producing their vans in the US in the 70’s. But they continued to produce in other countries into this century. The last VW bus plant, located in Brazil, produced the last Bus in 2013. For those who still harbor dreams of owning a VW van, VW is offering you a second chance. Volks Wagon is coming out with an electric model in 2023! You can preview it here: Electric VW Bus to Reportedly Come in 3 Styles, One Just for Ride-Hailing – Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com)
The Role of VW Busses in the civil rightsmovement
While the VW van represented peace love and freedom for the 60’s counter culture youth, did you know the VW Bus also played an important role in the Civil Rights movement? Activists used the VW vans to transport people to rallies, polling stations, and protests during the 60’s. One couple, Essau and Janie B Jenkins used a fleet of VW Buses, to transport blacks who lived on the Sea Islands off the coast of North Carolina, to their jobs in Charleston. The state of North Carolina required it’s black citizens to memorize parts of the Constitution in order to become registered to vote, in the Jim Crow South of the 60’s. On the commute to work, Essau and Janie would help their riders prepare to become eligible to vote.
The Jenkins’ were instrumental in helping to give a voice to African Americans in their community, among other things. The back panel of the Jenkins’ bus proclaimed “Love is Progress . . . Hate is Expensive”. You can see what remains of one of their vans in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. You can also learn more about Essau and Janie Jenkins and the work they did for their community here: How the Volkswagen Bus Became a Symbol of Counterculture | Innovation | Smithsonian Magazine
either way the vw bus played a huge part in setting the people of the 60’s free
The VW Bus was instrumental in both the quest and the struggle for Freedom in the American ’60’s. If you are looking for some awesome VW merchandise, check out our shop for T shirts celebrating the VW Bus here Cotton VW Bus Women’s T (lovinglifeclothing.com) and here Hot Hoodies and Long Sleeve Print Shirts (excluding Grateful Dead) Archives – Page 2 of 2 (lovinglifeclothing.com)
