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Author Topic: T-3 Vanagon Predecessor?  (Read 3530 times)

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Red Baron

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T-3 Vanagon Predecessor?
« on: February 17, 2008, 01:54:56 PM »

A unique vehicle  known as the Jeep Forward Control (FC-150) was a truck produced by Willys and then Kaiser Jeep from 1956 to 1965 and was also assembled in other international markets. It featured a cab forward, also known as cab-over-engine (COE) design. In the 1960's, Kaiser-Willys licensed VIASA (Vehiculos Industriales y Agricolas, S.A.) to build Jeeps in Spain. During the late 1970's VIASA was absorbed by Ebro trucks (a division of  Motor Iberica). A "SV" line of commercial trucks were built using the Jeep chassis, just like the FC models in the USA. These unique Iberian models included the "Campeador" (single cab one-ton pickup, "Duplex" (double cab pickup), "Furgon" (one-ton van) and the "Toledo" (a nine seat van). All were available with either the Super Hurricane in-line six engine or a Perkins 4 cylinder diesel.

Three operational concept cars were built by Reutter in Stuttgart, West Germany known as the "Forward Control Commuter". Its design could have been among the earliest mini-van type vehicles.
Styling of the FC line and the transformation of the truck platform into a passenger vehicle was done by Brooks Stevens, an automobile designer. Stevens was also responsible for the design of many Studebaker products including the "Hawk GT" and "Wagonaire". He also designed all Jeep station wagons including the "Wagoneer" and "Cherokee" and was the original designer of the classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle. All Harleys since, including models in production now, are based on Stevens body design.

The open question is: Was Volkswagen influenced by Stevens design of the FC and SV models in their design of T-2 and T-3 Vans?

Here's a restored 1958 FC-150 with stake bed.


« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Red Baron »


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