Volkswagen

Shortly after Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in January 1933, the construction of the Reichsautobahnen started. In April 1934, Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche to design a people's car, a Volkswagen. From 1935, several prototypes were tested that were already equipped with an air-cooled engine that drove the rear axle. The split rear window was also already present and would determine the appearance of the Typ 1 until 1953. Production started in 1938, but after more than 200 units had been built, Volkswagen was ordered to cease civilian production and produce cars for the German army. After World War II, the factory came under British control and initially produced only for the British Army. Production of the Typ 1 for the civilian market was not resumed until 1947. From 1949 Karmann built a convertible version.

In the fifties, the Volkswagen was modified on many points. One of the most striking is that the split oval rear window was replaced by a single oval rear window in 1953. The next year the engine was enlarged to 1,192 cc and in 1956 the car received the characteristic set of twin chrome tailpipes.

In 1958 the instrument panel was revised and a larger rectangular rear window replaced the previous oval design. From August 1960 onwards, significant technical advances occurred in the form of a new engine and transmission. The engine displacement remained at 1,192 cc but the power was increased to 34 hp.

1958

1960

1963

The largest change to date for the Beetle was introduced late 1964; the majority of the body stampings were revised, which allowed for significantly larger windows. The windshield increased in area by 11% and was now slightly curved, rather than flat. Door windows increased accordingly by 6%, rear side windows 17.5% and the rear window 19.5%. The result was a more open, airy, modern look. For 1967, an additional larger 1,493 cc engine was made available. 

1966

Late 1970 for the first time, two different Beetles were offered: the familiar standard Beetle and a larger version, different from the windscreen forward. The new, larger Beetle was sold as the 1302/1302 S, offering nearly 43% more luggage space. The convertible was now based on the 1302 body. All Beetles received an engine upgrade: the optional 1,493 cc engine was replaced by a 1,584 cc version.