Volkswagen Beetle Cars

About Beetle

Considered one of the single most influential cars of the 20th century, more than 21 million Volkswagen beetles were sold from 1938 to 2003. Its Autobahn-cruising reliability and "People's Car" ease of service established it as the quintessential economy car by 1950, while the quirky styling and intelligent, self-deprecating advertisements (starting in 1967) solidified its legacy as a cultural reference point.

Ferdinand Porsche began developing the car in 1934 (the "Beetle" nickname would not be formally embraced until nearly 1970) to meet Adolf Hitler's request for a utilitarian vehicle that could efficiently transport a family of five. After World War II, many Beetle hallmarks (such as the suspension, chassis, aerodynamic styling, and air-cooled, rear-mounted boxer engine) would find their way into Porsche's 356 sports car, which in itself was predecessor to the long-running Porsche 911.

Countless Beetle enthusiast groups thrive today, focused around various well-developed niches, from high-output custom "Baja Bugs", to historic-minded "Cal Look" cars and "Resto-Cals".

Production numbers for War-era Beetles (at this time called the KdF-Wagen, after the German phrase "Kraft durch Freude", meaning "Strength through Joy") were low, and few cars would survive the Allied bombings. But the British Army took control of the KdF factory in 1945, and, rather than destroy it, put it to use producing war vehicles (and Beetles). The 9,931 bare-bones 25-hp Beetles produced in 1946 lacked turn signals, gas gauges, synchromesh transmissions, or any chrome trim. And yet, build quality was good, and the simple design was easy to work on and ably traversed war-ravaged roads. Soon embraced by the American market, chrome trim was added in 1947, a convertible top became available in 1949, and an optional "Rag Top" sunroof was added for 1950. That year also saw the primitive cable brakes replaced with hydraulics. Gears were syncromeshed in 1952. A Wolfsburg hood crest marks cars built between 1951 and 1963.

These earliest Beetles, dubbed "Split Windows", are quickly identified by their split oval rear windshield.

External styling changes were kept to a minimum throughout the Beetle's nearly 70-year lifespan, even as functionality under the skin was continually tweaked and improved. This was not unlike the evolution of Ferdinand Porsche's other famous project, the Porsche 356. VW enthusiasts mark the Beetle's second generation by the advent of the single oval rear windshield pane, which in 1953 replaced the previous split oval window. Not a great deal was updated during the brief Oval-Window period, but the engine grew from 1131-cc to 1192-cc in 1954, and dual chrome tailpipes were added in 1956.

1958 saw a new, larger windshield, and a larger, rectangular windshield out back. Anti-sway bars added in 1960 improved handling, 1961 models received automatic choke, and a gas gauge was finally realized in 1962. A sliding steel sunroof replaced the outmoded "rag top" in 1964, and all windows were enlarged in 1965, including the windshield, for 15% more glass overall. Engine output reached 50-hp in 1966, with cars of that year badged "1300", in reference to the 1285-cc displacement. Displacement increased again for '67 to 1493-cc, indicated by a "1500" emblem on the deck lid. Door buttons now locked.

Bumpers for 1968 changed to a smooth, round, one-piece design, constituting a relatively dramatic alteration to the rarely-updated Beetle exterior, and enthusiasts consider any Beetle built after 1968 a "late model". The 1968 "sarcophagus" seat backs had large, integrated headrests

Handling was significantly modernized with a new independent rear suspension in 1969, and advertisements boasted 89 improvements for the 1971 debut of the Super Beetle, including a larger trunk, coil-spring front suspension, and 60-hp engine. Super Beetles (1971-1974) are most easily distinguished from Standard Beetles by the spare tire oriented flat inside the trunk, rather than upright.

Windshields were bigger for 1973, as were the new 5 mph government-mandated bumpers. The front seats adjusted "77 ways". Electronic fuel injection became standard in 1975, but the next year would be the very last for the sedan in the U.S., and Beetle convertibles would be phased out after 1980.

Production would continue elsewhere until 2003, adding another million-plusBeetles to roadways beyond U.S. borders.