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- 1959 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper - Volkswagen introduced its "box on wheels," the VW Type 2 Bus, in 1949. A few years later, VW contracted with Westfalia and introduced converted campers. First exported to the U.S. in 1956, Westfalia campers provided home-like camping comfort and created a postwar recreational-vehicle lifestyle. This soon-to-be cultural icon transported Americans down highways and byways and into the great outdoors.
- 1959
- Collections - Artifact
1959 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper
Volkswagen introduced its "box on wheels," the VW Type 2 Bus, in 1949. A few years later, VW contracted with Westfalia and introduced converted campers. First exported to the U.S. in 1956, Westfalia campers provided home-like camping comfort and created a postwar recreational-vehicle lifestyle. This soon-to-be cultural icon transported Americans down highways and byways and into the great outdoors.
- Ford Transit Van, Modified for Use as a COVID-19 Mobile Testing Facility, 2020 - In spring 2020, early in America's COVID-19 pandemic, Ford Motor Company and Troy Design & Manufacturing converted four Ford Transit vans into mobile test units. The vehicles collected genetic samples in the field and transported them to labs for testing. Free tests were given to first responders, nursing home residents, and people at substance abuse centers and community shelters in Michigan.
- 2020
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Transit Van, Modified for Use as a COVID-19 Mobile Testing Facility, 2020
In spring 2020, early in America's COVID-19 pandemic, Ford Motor Company and Troy Design & Manufacturing converted four Ford Transit vans into mobile test units. The vehicles collected genetic samples in the field and transported them to labs for testing. Free tests were given to first responders, nursing home residents, and people at substance abuse centers and community shelters in Michigan.
- 1922 Lincoln Vehicle Used by Henry Ford on Camping Trips - The Vagabonds -- Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone -- enjoyed their annual camping trips taken from 1916 to 1924. While the three men delighted in the outdoors, their accommodations weren't particularly rustic. This vehicle, built on a 1922 Lincoln chassis, traveled with them. It carried food and cooking utensils for elaborate meals that might include steak, chicken, or freshly baked pie.
- 1922
- Collections - Artifact
1922 Lincoln Vehicle Used by Henry Ford on Camping Trips
The Vagabonds -- Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone -- enjoyed their annual camping trips taken from 1916 to 1924. While the three men delighted in the outdoors, their accommodations weren't particularly rustic. This vehicle, built on a 1922 Lincoln chassis, traveled with them. It carried food and cooking utensils for elaborate meals that might include steak, chicken, or freshly baked pie.
- 1965 Ford Econoline Van - Volkswagen discovered a lucrative market for light-duty vans with its Type 2 Transporter. Ford followed VW's formula with its own Econoline introduced for 1961. The half-ton-capacity van was based on the Ford Falcon platform and available in cargo, passenger and pickup body styles. It was an instant hit as companies like Bell Telephone System purchased Econolines for their fleets.
- 1965
- Collections - Artifact
1965 Ford Econoline Van
Volkswagen discovered a lucrative market for light-duty vans with its Type 2 Transporter. Ford followed VW's formula with its own Econoline introduced for 1961. The half-ton-capacity van was based on the Ford Falcon platform and available in cargo, passenger and pickup body styles. It was an instant hit as companies like Bell Telephone System purchased Econolines for their fleets.
- "GM Electrovan" Brochure, 1966 - General Motors revealed its Electrovan to the press and public in 1966. It was the world's first vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The chemical reaction between hydrogen fuel and oxygen produced electricity to operate the van's motor. The only byproducts were water and heat. But the equipment of the time was large, expensive, and too dangerous for everyday use.
- 1966
- Collections - Artifact
"GM Electrovan" Brochure, 1966
General Motors revealed its Electrovan to the press and public in 1966. It was the world's first vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The chemical reaction between hydrogen fuel and oxygen produced electricity to operate the van's motor. The only byproducts were water and heat. But the equipment of the time was large, expensive, and too dangerous for everyday use.