The Volkswagen Beetle: THE car that defined the 20th century

How was the Volkswagen Beetle born?

The story of Volkswagen is certainly the best known in the world, of all the car brands that have ever existed; there is no need to tell it to you in detail.

The people's car, the car for everyone, meant to equip the greatest number of German households at an affordable price, was born from the meeting of two Austrians: a gifted engine designer and a self-taught painter with outsized ambitions, bigger than his little moustache.

This car, born KDF ("Strength through Joy"), was presented in 1938 and served as propaganda for its sponsor at the time. The Second World War pushed back its commercial launch to 1946. The rebirth of the Beetle project is the German postwar miracle, carried out by Major Ivan HIRST (British occupation forces), on the basis of the work of Ferdinand PORSCHE, who drew up the plans in 1934.

The real take-off came in 1950, with more than 90,000 vehicles produced that year. Heinrich NORDHOFF, who ran Wolfsburg from 1948 to 1968, is certainly the man to whom the brand's success is owed, once it was back under German control in 1949.

It proved economical for its day, needed little maintenance, was robust and reliable, always ready to go in all weather conditions. Cheap, it went everywhere and was easy to repair, which made it THE benchmark of its segment around the world. Its export sales, notably to the USA, launched its career.

Its faults of yesteryear are its qualities today; the Beetle is slow, noisy, sensitive to crosswinds, not very roomy, and has poor headlights... and that is what makes it a car with character. This car has a soul. Anyone who has ever driven a Beetle knows it: it is not a car, it is a way of life, a phenomenon. It is a face, a sound, an atmosphere, a different driving experience, in short... nothing but pleasure.

This little VW owes its nickname to its rounded, shell-like back: Beetle in English, Käfer and Kever (beetle) in Germany and the Netherlands, Maggiolino (cockchafer) in Italy, Escarabajo (scarab beetle) in Spain, Fusca in South America, and Coccinelle (ladybird) in France.

"Herbie", or "Choupette " as the French know it, is certainly the most famous of Beetles. Based on a 1963 sunroof model, this "love bug" wearing the number 53 enjoyed worldwide success through 5 Disney films that became cult favourites for young and old (and for the young who grew up!). The yellow Bumblebee of Transformers followed in its footsteps in 2018.

The "Type 1" of the VW family, the first of a great line (the "Type 2" being the Camper), evolved a great deal over time, keeping the same family look that lets you recognise its silhouette among 1000 in a car park.

Here is a short, non-exhaustive quick guide to the major changes that appeared on the Beetle:

• 1938 to 1952: the Split, the grandmother of all VWs, changed little in silhouette and owes its nickname to its rear window split in 2 parts.
• 1953 to 1957: the Oval, its rear window became oval for better visibility and gave its nickname to the Beetle of this period. The millionth Beetle was a 1955 Oval.
• 1958: new panoramic rear window.
• 1961: slim indicators became standard on the front wings (in place of the trafficator arms).
• 1962: larger, oval-shaped tail lights.
• 1964: large front indicators.
• 1965: thin door pillars appeared (enlarged glass area).
• 1966: the 1300 F engine and the ball-joint front axle made their appearance (king-pin axle until 1965), round push-button handles, perforated two-tone wheels and flat hubcaps.
• 1967: a pivotal year, same as 1966 with a mid-length rear lid and thin trim strips (1 year only); addition to the range of the 1500 engine with front disc brakes on 4 studs.

• From 1968: the Beetle is named by its displacement to tell the versions apart: 1200, 1300 and 1500. All wheels switch to 4x130. The sloping headlights of up to 1967 become upright. The 1200 is the standard version, keeping the small bumpers and the lights of the pre-1967 cars, in 6 Volt. The more luxurious 1300 and 1500 adopt large lights shaped like an iron soleplate and squared U-shaped bumpers.
• 1971-1972: the 1302 brought comfort with its wishbone McPherson front axle and its driveshafts. New, rounder front end, dual-port engines in 1300 and 1600.
• 1973 to 1976: the 1303 that succeeded it is easy to recognise with its curved windscreen and its big round tail lights nicknamed "elephant's feet".
• From 1974 to 1978, the 1200 took on the look of the 1300 and went to 12V, with the big lights of the 1303.
• Overseas markets such as Brazil and Mexico would keep producing the Beetle in its modern 1200 livery; a few were officially imported into Germany until 1985, more unofficially afterwards.
• The 4-seat cabriolets were built from 1949 to January 1980 by the German coachbuilder Karmann.