The Volkswagen Beetle An All Time Classic Car
David Slone
March 18, 2007
The Volkswagen Beetle
The Beetle, also known as the Volkswagen Type 1, proved the predictions on its life span wrong and became a classic car. It has a great following worldwide from Iceland to Malaysia. Even clubs associated with the car have been formed. The Volkswagen Beetle's cult status is due to the fact that its engine is air cooled and horizontally opposed in the rear of the car. The conventional water cooled engine is more complex in design which in turn makes it difficult for repair and modifications. This drawback was overcome in the beetle making repair and modification simpler.
History of the Volkswagen Beetle
An interesting fact is that the original idea for the Beetle was conceived by Adolph Hitler while he was in imprisoned for an attempted coup during 1924. In 1934 he assigned the job of designing the car of to Ferdinand Porsche. By 1938, the final designs were completed and the factory site to produce the Beetle was selected. The car was given the name KdF-Wagen by Hitler, though that name did not become famous. It became widely known as Volkswagen meaning ‘people’s car’.
In the beginning, while Hitler was in power, the Beetle was not in possession of any ordinary German. Due to the outbreak of the world war in 1939, all of the about 630 cars built went to military officers and Hitler himself.
After the war was over, production of the car now named as Volkswagen started again. By 1949 two versions, a two seater and a four seater were manufactured and exported. Hebmueller was the company which made the two seaters, which are now a very valuable collector’s edition.
Growth of the Volkswagen Beetle
The car was chubby, curvy and became an instant hit among the people. It represented the German economic miracle. Its popularity was not restricted to Germany alone and it seemed to spread like a wild fire. It became the choice of the post-war generation in USA and Europe. For those rebellious people it represented freedom from the restrictions of the society at that time.
The popularity of the car can be ascertained by the fact that about a million cars were produced by 1955. The name "Beetle" became it's official by the late 1960’s.
Over 21 million beetles have been produced by 2002. The last Volkswagen Beetle was produced in Pueblo, Mexico, which happened to be the 21,529,464th one. It was sent to the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg, Germany. The last Beetle was aptly nicknamed El Rey, which in Spanish means "The King”. Truly the VW Beetle was a king of cars. The last 3000 of the beetles produced were called the "Ultima Edicion” meaning the last edition.
Volkswagenism
Volkswagenism is a satirical religion that was started by Jason Gaudet and a group of Volkswagen lovers. It was formed during late 1990’s as a symbol of the owners’ loyalty to Beetle and the Volkswagen company. This movement gained fame through radio, television and print media and turned Beetle enthusiasts into Volkswagenists.
During summer in California, united states, VW enthusiasts visit a large number of Volkswagen themed car shows. These shows generally feature camping, "show 'n' shine" which is a car show, drag racing, raffles, burnout contests, VW parts and accessories swap meet, and many other events. Loyal Volkswagenists, or VW heads, often travel 500 miles or more just to visit these shows and to attend the events.
In winter the "Mt. Shasta Snow Trip Challenge” is held where people drive from Willits, CA, to Mt. Shasta CA on roads which are unpaved. This sort of reiterates the Volkswagenists trust in the durability of their 40 plus year old cars.
Learn more about the air cooled Volkswagen and watch classic vintage VW Bus and Beetle television commercials and other great videos and pictures of all types of air cooled Volkswagens visit http://www.aircooledvws.info
The Beetle, also known as the Volkswagen Type 1, proved the predictions on its life span wrong and became a classic car. It has a great following worldwide from Iceland to Malaysia. Even clubs associated with the car have been formed. The Volkswagen Beetle's cult status is due to the fact that its engine is air cooled and horizontally opposed in the rear of the car. The conventional water cooled engine is more complex in design which in turn makes it difficult for repair and modifications. This drawback was overcome in the beetle making repair and modification simpler.
History of the Volkswagen Beetle
An interesting fact is that the original idea for the Beetle was conceived by Adolph Hitler while he was in imprisoned for an attempted coup during 1924. In 1934 he assigned the job of designing the car of to Ferdinand Porsche. By 1938, the final designs were completed and the factory site to produce the Beetle was selected. The car was given the name KdF-Wagen by Hitler, though that name did not become famous. It became widely known as Volkswagen meaning ‘people’s car’.
In the beginning, while Hitler was in power, the Beetle was not in possession of any ordinary German. Due to the outbreak of the world war in 1939, all of the about 630 cars built went to military officers and Hitler himself.
After the war was over, production of the car now named as Volkswagen started again. By 1949 two versions, a two seater and a four seater were manufactured and exported. Hebmueller was the company which made the two seaters, which are now a very valuable collector’s edition.
Growth of the Volkswagen Beetle
The car was chubby, curvy and became an instant hit among the people. It represented the German economic miracle. Its popularity was not restricted to Germany alone and it seemed to spread like a wild fire. It became the choice of the post-war generation in USA and Europe. For those rebellious people it represented freedom from the restrictions of the society at that time.
The popularity of the car can be ascertained by the fact that about a million cars were produced by 1955. The name "Beetle" became it's official by the late 1960’s.
Over 21 million beetles have been produced by 2002. The last Volkswagen Beetle was produced in Pueblo, Mexico, which happened to be the 21,529,464th one. It was sent to the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg, Germany. The last Beetle was aptly nicknamed El Rey, which in Spanish means "The King”. Truly the VW Beetle was a king of cars. The last 3000 of the beetles produced were called the "Ultima Edicion” meaning the last edition.
Volkswagenism
Volkswagenism is a satirical religion that was started by Jason Gaudet and a group of Volkswagen lovers. It was formed during late 1990’s as a symbol of the owners’ loyalty to Beetle and the Volkswagen company. This movement gained fame through radio, television and print media and turned Beetle enthusiasts into Volkswagenists.
During summer in California, united states, VW enthusiasts visit a large number of Volkswagen themed car shows. These shows generally feature camping, "show 'n' shine" which is a car show, drag racing, raffles, burnout contests, VW parts and accessories swap meet, and many other events. Loyal Volkswagenists, or VW heads, often travel 500 miles or more just to visit these shows and to attend the events.
In winter the "Mt. Shasta Snow Trip Challenge” is held where people drive from Willits, CA, to Mt. Shasta CA on roads which are unpaved. This sort of reiterates the Volkswagenists trust in the durability of their 40 plus year old cars.
Learn more about the air cooled Volkswagen and watch classic vintage VW Bus and Beetle television commercials and other great videos and pictures of all types of air cooled Volkswagens visit http://www.aircooledvws.info
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