Vintage vans with cartoon-like designs highlighted
A review of several post-war vans notes their distinctive styling and engineering innovations, describing how models such as the DKW Schnellaster, Tempo Matador, Fiat 600 Multipla and others could serve as characters in an animated series.
Several post-war vans are noted for their distinctive, almost cartoonish styling and pioneering engineering. The German DKW Schnellaster, introduced in 1949, featured front-wheel drive and a one-box layout that offered a flat floor and efficient interior space, predating the widespread use of front-wheel drive in inexpensive cars. Its early versions used a modest 20-horsepower two-stroke engine, later upgraded to a 32-horsepower three-cylinder unit.
Also launched in 1949, the Tempo Matador used a 25-horsepower air-cooled Volkswagen engine but faced competition restrictions from Volkswagen, limiting its production to about 1,300 units before a later version with a four-stroke engine appeared.
Italy’s Fiat 600 Multipla, produced from 1956 to 1967, maximized interior capacity by fitting three rows of seats in a compact footprint, despite modest power from a 21.5-horsepower 633 cc engine.
Mazda’s first-generation Bongo, released in 1966, offered a low floor and independent suspension on both axles, with engine outputs ranging from 36 to 51 horsepower, and was later badge-engineered by other manufacturers.
France’s Peugeot D3/D4 vans, derived from the Chenard-Walcker platform, incorporated a larger 1.1-liter engine, giving the vehicles a characteristic front grille.
Nissan’s S-Cargo, part of the 1980s Pike series, featured a compact size, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing about 72 horsepower, and optional electric canvas roof, making it suitable for light commercial use.
East Germany’s Barkas B 1000, produced from 1961, used front-wheel drive and offered various body styles, with engine options up to 52 horsepower.
Renault’s Estafette, built from 1959 to 1986, was the French automaker’s first front-wheel-drive van, initially powered by an 845 cc engine and later by a 1.3-liter unit, achieving sales of over 500,000 units.
The British Bedford CA, introduced in 1952, employed a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with engines up to 1.8 liters and served a range of roles including police, mail and ambulance duties, as well as a popular camper conversion.
