It is precisely this spirit that lives on today in the Vanlife Puglia vans, designed for those who dream of exploring the Puglia coast in total freedom.
The story of the Volkswagen California began in 1988, when the first camper model based on the legendary Volkswagen T3 was presented at the Essen Caravan Show.
The project began as a special edition, but it was an immediate success.
The first California was available in two colors: Pastel White and Marsala Red.
The interior was designed to be compact, functional, and perfect for travel: a small integrated kitchen, seats that could convert into a bed, and organized spaces for comfortable life on the road.
Priced at 39,900 German marks, the California immediately conquered the market thanks to the build quality and legendary reliability of the Volkswagen Bulli.
Over 5,000 vehicles were sold in the first year, quickly making this model a resounding success.
In just three years, more than 22,000 travelers chose the California for their adventures.
In 1990, Volkswagen revolutionized the vehicle with the new California T4.
After more than forty years of rear-engined vehicles, Volkswagen decided to completely change the vehicle's architecture: a front-engined, front-wheel drive vehicle with more living space.
This change significantly improved stability, driving comfort, and interior space, especially in the rear of the van.
The California T4 quickly became one of the most popular campers among European travelers.
The advertising campaign of the time played on the famous Eagles song: "Hotel California – quiet location, comfortable furnishings, panoramic views guaranteed."
A perfect slogan for a van designed for traveling and sleeping anywhere.
In the following years, the Volkswagen California continued to evolve with the new generations: the California T5, California T6, and California T6.1.
Each version introduced technological improvements, greater comfort, and increasingly intelligent solutions for life on the road.
Despite the technological evolution, the spirit of the California remained the same: travel slowly, stop where the view is most beautiful, and experience the freedom of VanLife.