The Volkswagen Beetle, having been named the Car of the Century in 1991, is one of the most storied cars in all of automotive history. While there have been several iconic cars throughout history, such as the Ford Model T and F Series, few have been as well-loved as the Beetle — and none has been brought back after production was halted.
1938 – 1949: The Volkswagen Beetle is Born in Germany
The Beetle is a thoroughly German car, which isn’t surprising considering it’s made by a German automobile manufacturer. The roots of this beloved car, however, trace back to a surprising era in German history.
The design for the predecessor to the Beetle, the KdF-Wagen, was completed in 1938, and the first car came off of the production line in 1939 — during the height of Adolf Hitler’s campaign. The KdF-Wagen was Hitler’s way to solve Germany’s unemployment problems at the time, and it became the German equivalent of the Model T. Unfortunately, the car’s early years were plagued by war.
Although “Beetle” was never officially used for the KdF-Wagen, there wasn’t any mistaking this car for something else. The car had the iconic Beetle shape, with a tapered rear end that looked like the back end of a beetle. Even when prototypes were being driven about, it was commonly referred to as a Beetle by both the public and the press. The New York Times called the car a “Beetle” at least once.
1950 – 1979: The Volkswagen Beetle Comes to the U.S.
The Beetle was first sold in the United States in 1950, and it continued to be sold until 1979. During this era, the car captured the hearts of Americans and become the beloved little roadster that many people today still cherish.
The Beetle of the 1950s, 60s and 70s looked much like the Beetle of the late 1930s and 1940s. It had a front hood that came down between the headlights, relatively low bonnet and tapered back end with a pointed trunk that gave the car its Beetle-like look.
Changes and updates, of course, were made, but the Beetle remained largely the same car it always had been. Most changes during these years involved installing a more powerful engine or increasing the cabin room. Notably, the engine was in the trunk or split on many models during these years.
1980 – 1997: The Volkswagen Beetle Goes Silent
After sales ceased in the U.S, the Volkswagen Beetle continued to be produced and sold abroad. During these years, there weren’t significant design changes, as price was the primary driver of non-U.S. and non-European sales, and Volkswagen was working on other models being sold in the U.S. and Europe.
1998 – Present: The Volkswagen Beetle Comes Back
Although the Beetle disappeared from dealer’s lots in the U.S., American’s love for the Beetle never died. In 1998, Volkswagen brought the iconic car back to the U.S. — with a makeover.
The new and improved Beetle still has a recognizable Beetle body shape. There’s no mistaking it for a pick-up truck or even a different type of sedan. A few key features, however, give the Beetle an updated appearance. Compared to earlier version, the new Beetle’s:
- body is slightly longer
- hood and trunk aren’t tapered
- rear-end is less pointed
- backside is less sloped
Together, these changes create a car that’s less overtly like a Beetle but still has that iconic image that everyone loves. To see just how Volkswagen transformed the Beetle into a modern car that still has the look that captured the U.S.’s heart, drivers have to see the new Volkswagen Beetle in person. Stop in today at Fox Valley Volkswagen in West Chicago or Schaumburg.