75 Years of the VW Transporter: MOBAD’s Split-Screen Van at Goodwood Revival

This year marked 75 years of the VW Transporter, a milestone that celebrates not just a vehicle, but decades of character, heritage, and community. From the moment we applied to have the MOBAD split-screen van on display, we knew this would be special. We were delighted to hear our van was one of 120 selected to be showcased and to take part in the parade laps.

We left MOBAD HQ early on Thursday, heading out under heavy clouds. Crossing the Severn Bridge in torrential rain was… an interesting start. We questioned our sanity a few times, wondering what the weekend might bring. We trailered the van behind our camper, then met a few other VW owners at Chieveley services and convoyed down to Goodwood together.

Finding our way into the circuit wasn’t without drama. Some dodgy directions from the Marshalls sent us (and a couple of others) anti-clockwise around the track 😮 which led to chaos as people were trying to get into the paddock. Once we finally parked up among a fleet of other classic VWs, I gave the van a clean, and got to admire the others around me.

At one point Rowan Atkinson strolled past - whether he actually looked at the van or not is debatable, but let’s call it at least an involuntary glance. We ended up beside a beautifully sign-written single cab pick-up from parts specialist VW Heritage, who even handed us a free brolly (they clearly saw what was coming!).

Friday morning brought our first two parade laps of the Goodwood circuit in glorious sunshine. In amongst the sea of split screens, the atmosphere was electric. The smiles on people’s faces said it all as we all papped our horns the whole way round, and the fire van even fired up its siren. Hearing the combined sound of all those air-cooled engines was incredible, and having owned air-cooleds for over 30 years, this moment was especially meaningful for me.

Saturday, on the other hand, threw everything at us. Torrential rain, sudden bursts of sunshine, and relentless wind turned the laps into a damp and blustery affair. Back at the campsite, it was chaos — mud everywhere. I was very glad I’d packed my wellies at the last minute. With a severe weather warning out for Sunday, we made the decision to head home early—no point risking the van on a trailer across the Severn Bridge in high wind.

The scale of the display itself was impressive, with over 100 split screens gathered together, the largest collection we’ve ever seen in one place. Outside of our own laps, the Revival atmosphere was unforgettable, from Spitfires overhead to historic cars and motorcycles battling it out on track in the changing weather. Everywhere you looked there was another reminder of the Transporter’s history, with vans featuring period sign writing, firetrucks, ambulances, and delivery vehicles.

All in all, it was a truly amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thanks to everyone who shared the journey, to Hayburner and Just Kampers for the shots of us up on the circuit, and to VW Heritage for the umbrella (because you never quite know what Goodwood will throw at you!).