- 3,655
- Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA
1938-1953 Volkswagen Beetle nominated by @Volksauto
Body Style: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible
Engine: 1.0L I4, 1.1L I4
Power: 23-25hp
Torque: n/a
Weight: 725kg
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Drivetrain: rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
Body Style: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible
Engine: 1.0L I4, 1.1L I4
Power: 23-25hp
Torque: n/a
Weight: 725kg
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Drivetrain: rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
Top speed: 62mph
The split window Beetle is often recognized by it's unique rear window, small taillights and "W" shaped decklid. This is the original interpretation and design of the car.
Dr. Ferdinand Porsche is widely regarded as one of the most innovative automotive engineers. He designed the world's first hybrid car and designed Grand Prix racing cars for Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz such as the famous Type C.
In 1933, the German Chancellor ordered Porsche to design him a car to mobilize Germany for his KDF (Kraft Durch Freude) holiday program. A car supposedly for the people, a "Volkswagen".
The requirements given to Porsche in 1933 were as followed: A family car big enough to seat two adults and three children, must cost less than 1,000 Reich Marks, must travel @100 km/h for the new Autobahns, it's engine must be air-cooled to sustain the cold German winter temperatures, and the engine must be rear mounted for better traction in snow.
After many prototypes and testing, the final design of the car was unveiled to the public in May of 1938. The car was to be called the KDF-Wagen.
If somebody wanted to purchase a KDF of their own, they needed a special savings book and needed to collect stamps which were ordered monthly. Over 100,000 cars were ordered by 1939.
Germany invaded Poland later that year. Nobody ever received their cars and the whole Volkswagen project was a scheme to fund for military weapons.
The KDF's design however made it a perfect military vehicle. Dr. Porsche was ordered to design several military vehicles using the KDF chassis. He made the Jeep-like Kubelwagen and the amphibious Schwimmwagen.
But in 1945, allied bombers blew up 75% of the Volkswagen plant because it was a target for the assembly of many war weapons including the V1 Flying-Bomb.
World War II has ended. The Volkswagen seemed to have been a thing of the distant past. But is wasn't yet. British Major Ivan Hurst who was occupying Germany assessed the wreckage of the factory and found a few cars. The British military tested them and was pleased with the vehicles and it was exactly what they needed for transport. The factory was rebuilt with many of the presses still intact and the British army placed an order of 20,000 cars. Mass production of the Volkswagen finally began in March of 1946 where over 7,500 cars were built the first year and soon the car was finally available for public consumption.
Ivan Hurst handed over the factory to Heinz Nordhoff who would be the chairman of VW from 1948 to 1968.
Volkswagen started to export their models internationally including the United States in 1949 where they only sold two Beetles.
VW would continuously evolve the car year after year for many years to come.
The split window era VW Beetle is a reminder of VW's very unique story of a car designed by an automotive genius for a dictator's dream only to be nearly forgotten in war and then revived to become one of the world's most iconic and best selling cars.
The split window Beetle is often recognized by it's unique rear window, small taillights and "W" shaped decklid. This is the original interpretation and design of the car.
Dr. Ferdinand Porsche is widely regarded as one of the most innovative automotive engineers. He designed the world's first hybrid car and designed Grand Prix racing cars for Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz such as the famous Type C.
In 1933, the German Chancellor ordered Porsche to design him a car to mobilize Germany for his KDF (Kraft Durch Freude) holiday program. A car supposedly for the people, a "Volkswagen".
The requirements given to Porsche in 1933 were as followed: A family car big enough to seat two adults and three children, must cost less than 1,000 Reich Marks, must travel @100 km/h for the new Autobahns, it's engine must be air-cooled to sustain the cold German winter temperatures, and the engine must be rear mounted for better traction in snow.
After many prototypes and testing, the final design of the car was unveiled to the public in May of 1938. The car was to be called the KDF-Wagen.
If somebody wanted to purchase a KDF of their own, they needed a special savings book and needed to collect stamps which were ordered monthly. Over 100,000 cars were ordered by 1939.
Germany invaded Poland later that year. Nobody ever received their cars and the whole Volkswagen project was a scheme to fund for military weapons.
The KDF's design however made it a perfect military vehicle. Dr. Porsche was ordered to design several military vehicles using the KDF chassis. He made the Jeep-like Kubelwagen and the amphibious Schwimmwagen.
But in 1945, allied bombers blew up 75% of the Volkswagen plant because it was a target for the assembly of many war weapons including the V1 Flying-Bomb.
World War II has ended. The Volkswagen seemed to have been a thing of the distant past. But is wasn't yet. British Major Ivan Hurst who was occupying Germany assessed the wreckage of the factory and found a few cars. The British military tested them and was pleased with the vehicles and it was exactly what they needed for transport. The factory was rebuilt with many of the presses still intact and the British army placed an order of 20,000 cars. Mass production of the Volkswagen finally began in March of 1946 where over 7,500 cars were built the first year and soon the car was finally available for public consumption.
Ivan Hurst handed over the factory to Heinz Nordhoff who would be the chairman of VW from 1948 to 1968.
Volkswagen started to export their models internationally including the United States in 1949 where they only sold two Beetles.
VW would continuously evolve the car year after year for many years to come.
The split window era VW Beetle is a reminder of VW's very unique story of a car designed by an automotive genius for a dictator's dream only to be nearly forgotten in war and then revived to become one of the world's most iconic and best selling cars.
