The History of the Volkswagen Beetle
Created by Tiago Fernandes at Thursday, 2 January 2025
Over the decades, few cars have conquered the world like the Volkswagen Beetle. With its unmistakable design and a legacy full of curious episodes, this automotive icon is much more than a car - it's a living piece of 20th century cultural and industrial history.
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The Beginning: An order from Adolf Hitler
The story of the Volkswagen Beetle begins in the 1930s, in a Germany that lived under the regime of Adolf Hitler. The dictator had a vision: to build a car that would be accessible to all German families, a true ‘people's car’ (Volkswagen, in German).
To realise this idea, Hitler called in Ferdinand Porsche, a renowned Austrian engineer, to design the vehicle.
The prototype had to fulfil three main requirements: carry five people, reach a speed of 100 km/h and be cheap enough for any German worker to buy it through a system of monthly instalments.
In 1938, the Wolfsburg factory was opened, dedicated to the production of the KdF-Wagen (Kraft durch Freude, or ‘Strength through Joy’), the original name of the Beetle. However, the Second World War interrupted the plans: instead of making cars for civilians, the factory went on to produce military vehicles, including the Kübelwagen and the Schwimmwagen, an amphibious car.
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Post-war: The redemption of an icon
With the end of the war, the Wolfsburg factory was in ruins, but the Allies recognised the Beetle's potential. The British, led by Major Ivan Hirst, relaunched production of the model to help rebuild Germany's economy. Curiously, Ford refused the opportunity to take over the project, considering the car ‘ugly and uncommercial’.
This was the turning point for the Beetle, which began to conquer the world thanks to its reliability, simplicity and affordable price.
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Fun facts about the Beetle
The Name and Shape:
In Portugal, the name ‘Beetle’ is due to its rounded shape, reminiscent of an insect. This nickname has spread around the world, with linguistic variations such as ‘Beetle’ (in English). Curiously, in its homeland, the model was known simply as the ‘Volkswagen Typ 1’.
Film star:
The Beetle gained worldwide fame by starring in films such as Herbie, the Endangered Beetle. This car with its own personality conquered generations and gave the model an almost magical aura.
The amphibious Beetle:
A surprising fact is that, due to its airtight design, the Beetle was able to float on water for short periods. It wasn't exactly a submarine, but many adventurers couldn't resist trying their hand at crossing streams with their Beetles!
Impressive production:
For decades, the Beetle was the most produced car in history, with more than 21 million units manufactured between 1938 and 2003. Even when it was overtaken by the Toyota Corolla, it retained its title as the model with the longest-lasting design.
A symbol of peace and love:
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Beetle became an icon of the hippie movement. It was common to see Beetles painted with psychedelic colours, flowers and messages of peace, turning the car into a symbol of freedom and counterculture.
Ease of maintenance:
One of the most popular aspects of the Beetle was the simplicity of its engine. It was so easy to repair that many drivers were able to solve basic mechanical problems with simple tools. There are even stories of people who replaced the entire engine at the side of the road in less than an hour!
The Last Goodbye
Production of the original Beetle ended in 2003 in Mexico, with a commemorative edition called ‘Última Edición’. Despite this, the car was never truly forgotten. The ‘New Beetle’, launched in the 1990s, brought the classic design to a new generation, but never achieved the charisma of the original.
Volkswagen subsequently launched modernised versions of the model, such as the New Beetle in 1997 and a third generation in 2011. However, production of the Beetle ended for good in July 2019, marking the end of an era for this iconic car.
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An eternal legacy
More than just a car, the Volkswagen Beetle is a symbol of creativity, functionality and, of course, good humour. Whether it's its iconic design, its unusual stories or its prominent role in popular culture, this car remains an indispensable reference.
What's your funniest memory with a Beetle?
Translated with DeepL.com
