35 Facts About Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle—officially the Volkswagen Type 1, informally in German, in parts of the English-speaking world the Bug, and known by many other nicknames in other languages—is a two-door, rear-engine economy car, intended for five occupants, that was manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003.

In 1994, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept One, a "retro"-themed concept car with a resemblance to the original Beetle, and in 1998 introduced the "New Beetle", built on the contemporary Golf platform with styling recalling the original Type 1.

Volkswagen Beetle gave a speech, in which he named the car Kraft-durch-Freude-Wagen .

The Volkswagen Beetle factory was handed over by the Americans to British control in 1945; it was to be dismantled and shipped to Britain.

The Volkswagen Beetle was faced with competition from new designs like the Fiat 127 and Renault 5, and more robust designs based on the Austin Mini layout such as the Superminis.

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Safety issues with the Volkswagen Beetle came under increasing scrutiny, culminating in the 1972 release of a rather scathing report.

Production of the Volkswagen Beetle continued in smaller numbers at other German factories until 19 January 1978, when mainstream production shifted to Brazil and Mexico: markets where low operating cost was an important factor.

Volkswagen Beetle outlasted most other cars which had adopted the rear-engine, air-cooled layout such as those by Subaru, Fiat, and General Motors.

Porsche's 356 series, which originally used some Volkswagen Beetle-sourced parts, continued to use the classic rear-engine layout, as did its successor, the 911 series .

Volkswagen Beetle made only two of these naturally aspirated, air-cooled boxer diesel engines, and installed one engine in a Type 1 and another in a Type 2.

Volkswagen Beetle featured a rear-located, air-cooled four-cylinder, boxer engine and rear-wheel drive in a two-door bodywork featuring a flat front windscreen, accommodating four passengers and providing luggage storage under the front bonnet and behind the rear seat—and offering a coefficient of drag of 0.

The rear window of the VW Volkswagen Beetle evolved from a divided or "split" oval, to a singular oval.

Volkswagen Beetle achieved this by increasing the engine's compression from 6.

Largest change to date for the Volkswagen Beetle was in 1965: the majority of the body stampings were revised, which allowed for significantly larger windows.

The standard Volkswagen Beetle was now badged as the VW 1300; when equipped with the 1600 engine, it was badged 1300 S, to avoid confusion with the Type 3, which wore VW 1600 badges.

In North America, the 1302 was marketed as the Super Volkswagen Beetle and came only with the L Package and 1600 cc engine.

The Commemorative Volkswagen Beetle was a 1302 S finished in a special Marathon Blue Metallic paint and unique 4.

The instrument panel, formerly shared with the standard Volkswagen Beetle, was all-new and incorporated a raised speedometer pod, rocker-style switches and side-window defrosters.

Mid-year, the Love Bug was introduced for North America: based on the standard Volkswagen Beetle, it was available only in Phoenix Red or Ravenna Green with all exterior trim finished in matte black.

Volkswagen Beetle began its involvement in Ireland when in 1949, Motor Distributors Limited, founded by Stephen O'Flaherty secured the franchise for the country at that year's Paris Motor Show.

Volkswagen Beetle applied for the franchise as soon as the opportunity presented itself and became Volkswagen's representative in the North of England.

Several Japanese vehicles were introduced after the Volkswagen Beetle was sold in Japan, using an air-cooled engine and rear mounting of the engine, such as the Subaru 360, or an engine installed in the front, like the Honda N360, the Suzuki Fronte, and the Mitsubishi Minica.

German production of the Volkswagen Beetle took place initially at the parent Wolfsburg plant until the Golf's introduction in 1974, later expanding to the newer Emden and Hanover plants.

Volkswagen Beetle do Brasil engaged in some string pulling in the early sixties when a law requiring taxis to have four doors and five seats was being considered.

The Mexican Volkswagen Beetle was on the US DOT's hot list of grey market imports after 1978 as the vehicle did not meet safety regulations.

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However, demand for the Volkswagen Beetle was relatively high, especially in the 1990s, with the workforce increasing at the start of the decade.

Volkswagen Beetle Australia was formed in 1957, and by 1960 locally produced body panels were being used for the first time.

In 1968, Volkswagen Beetle Australia released its own locally designed utilitarian version of the Type 1, the Volkswagen Beetle Country Buggy or Type 197.

Volkswagen Beetle was produced in South Africa at the Uitenhage plant from 31 August 1951 to 1979.

In late 1976, the sporty SP 1600 Volkswagen Beetle arrived – this version received bright red, yellow, or silver paint with black stripes, a front spoiler, wide tyres, and a more powerful engine with twin carburettors and a freer flowing exhaust.

Volkswagen Beetle has been modified for use in drag racing; its rearward weight distribution keeps the weight over the rear wheels, maximizing grip off the starting line.

The car's weight is reduced for a full competition drag Volkswagen Beetle, further improving the grip and the power-to-weight ratio.

Volkswagen Beetle is used as the basis for the Formula Vee open-wheel racing category: specifically, the front suspension crossmember assembly, and the engine and transaxle assembly .

Fuel crisis, along with the arrival of the Volkswagen Beetle Golf, put an end to the days of unofficially supported rallying in 1974.

Volkswagen Beetle won its class in the Armstrong 500 in Australia in both 1962 and 1963.