The evolution of the Volkswagen Beetle is one steeped in history. The decade long design began with an order from Hitler to Ferdinand Porsche in 1933 to create a “folkswagon” or people’s car that could fit up to 2 adults and 3 kids. This Volkswagen was to cost no more than a motorcycle and go about 100km/h. But because the war started soon after, the first Volkswagen Beetle known as the Volkswagen Type 1 didn’t roll off the assembly line until 1938. The Volkswagen Type 1 was officially named the KdF-Wagen (Kraft durch Freude or ‘Strength through Joy’) by Hitler at the start of Porsche’s project. After World War II, it became known as the Volkswagen Beetle.
The Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) was an economy car was made by Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003. The original design was an air-cooled, rear wheel drive configuration with an engine in the rear and storage in the front as well as under the seats. The Beetle was known in the 1950’s for its comfort and its power in comparison to other small European cars due to it being designed to speed down the Autobahn. And due to its high quality standards in manufacturing, it became and stayed a top seller in the United States. The Beetle was one of the most popular customised and
used cars on the planet.
In the March of 1953, a large single window replaced the small two piece oval rear window but then in August of 1957, a full width rear window replaced the oval one. And in 1964, the windscreen was enlarged and the side windows were increased in height to give the inside of the Beetle a roomier look. The Beetle has become the longest running and most manufactured car of a single design type in the world. us
With a reputation like that it is no wonder that in 1972, when number 15,007,534 rolled off the assembly line, the Beetle had surpassed Henry Ford’s Model T as the most popular car in the history of automobiles. The Volkswagen Beetle had also began what is considered to be the continental economy car which spawned the first wave of compact and subcompact cars in North America.
Volkswagen introduced the Volkswagen New Beetle in 1998. The New Beetle was built upon the Golf design but has the styling that was true to the original Beetle. But there were differences. The New Beetle placed it engine in the front and became front wheel driven with the storage in the back.
The 1998 version of the Beetle also had other similarities to the original Beetle such as separate wings, sloping headlamps, a high rounded roof and large round tail lights but can reach a top speed of 177km/h with a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 13.2 seconds. In 2010, Volkswagen said it was going to stop making the New Beetle in 2011.
Undoubtedly, the VW beetle has evoked passion and emotion into influencing motorists to visit their local show room buy a car and drive it off the forecourt, and be as proud as punch. Hippies could be seen hanging out of them at music fairs and car exhibitions- they were an essential part of the 60′s, 70′s hippie era! For advice on the latest VW Beetle http://www.Buyacar.co.uk are available online and would be happy to take your order for the latest new VW cars on show.
But that isn’t the end to this amazing journey; in early 2011 a newer redesigned model will hit the streets with a more angular and rakish body design. It will be the latest of the Beetles to join the Volkswagen family.
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