If you have a penchant for the earliest of Splitscreen vans, then the name Ben Pon will mean something to you. He was a Dutch VW importer and is credited for producing the first sketches of the VW Van on 23rd April 1947. His Dealership in Amersfoort in the Netherlands became the first Volkswagen dealership outside of Germany.
The “Ben Pon” show in Amersfoort on 19-20th April, was a fitting tribute to a man who had a real hand in creating the VW Type 2 and what better place to hold it, than in his hometown. 80 or so Barn door (Pre 03/55) vans headed there, along with a plethora of other vintage VW machinery, James from our web design team went along to check it out.
The vans and cars ranged from immaculate restorations to some very scruffy unrestored originals; and of course everything in between. If it was old and Volkswagen shaped it was most welcome.
The show was even responsible for a new world record, getting 76 Barndoor buses in the main town square on the Saturday – that’s quite some doing!
It’ll be another 4 years until the next Ben Pon show – just enough time to find a Barn door bus abandoned in a forest, drowning in a swamp or tucked up in a warm garage and get it ready, for what is bound to be an even bigger affair.
Want to see more of James’ photos check out our Flickr here.
Hope to see you there
Andy
Hi,
I have a bit of a connection to The Pon family – my dad works for Wijnand Pon and the Koepon Organisation. Wijnand is one of 3 sons of Ben Pon (His brothers being Ben and Meindert. Ben Pon raced for Porsche in the 24hr Le Mans) As far as I know, Wijnand has the original Type 2 sketch done by his father which my dad has had the sketch in his hands! I’m also sure my father met Ben Pon Sr when he first started working for the company.
Great pics – pity I missed it as I’ll be near Amesfoort in a couple of weeks.
Cheers
Interesting link, great claim to fame! What must that original sketch be worth, we wonder? I guess the Wolfsburg museum would be keen to get their hands on it…