It’s the end of an era. Volkswagen said that it will cease production of the VW camper on December 31, according to the Associated Press.

The ‘hippie’ van that transported the flower children of American counterculture to concerts and rallies during the 1960’s will not be able to meet new regulations of air-lock brakes and airbags set to take effect in 2014. The company says production cannot be changed to fit the new requirements.

Brazil is the last place where the iconic vehicles are produced. The camper model has been in continuous production since 1957.

Reports Quartz:

Germany shuttered its production of the minibus back in 1979, and Mexico followed suit in 1994. Since, Brazil has been the sole producer of the VW camper van. … The discontinuation of the VW minibus, the longest-produced model in automotive history, is sure to disappoint camper van enthusiasts around the globe, many of whom organize festivals and gatherings to commemorate its creation.

The van is known as much for its reliability as for its use as a literal vehicle of change. Impassioned owners often painted the exterior of the campers with colorful designs and messages. They have been featured in everything from album covers, to popular television shows, to feature films, and remain a symbolic reminder of America’s past.