2003 Volkswagen Eurovan Road Test
Who invented the minivan? Chrysler likes to lay claim but it was a quirky German company that first introduced the concept to North America way back in the late 1950's. The Volkswagen Microbus quickly became the automotive icon of the 60's flower power movement and later, when the camperized Westphalia model surfaced, the RV of choice for young families. Eventually, the wonderfully practical but hardly as 'cool' Vanagon replaced it, still powered by a rear-mounted, horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels.