VOLKSWAGEN - Volkswagen History Timeline

Volkswagen
Volkswagen History Timeline

Article: C.A 1/2/11
Photos by D. Arredondo

Ask any random person to name the most iconic classic compact car ever built and chances are he or she may proclaim the Volkswagen Beetle. Indeed the VW Beetle, or "Bug" as many call it is one of the world's most recognized and well-liked classic cars. There's more to the "Love-Bug" than Disney's motion picture Herbie and its notable red, white and blue racing stripes.

THE BIRTH OF VW

Volkswagen, pronounced [ˈFOLKS-va-guhn] and translated: "The People Car" in English was created in Germany in 1937 by Erwin Komenda.
Komenda belonged to the German Labor Front, a Nazi trade union directed by Adolf Hitler.

Hitler's aim was to keep Nazi Germany as self reliant as possible. A nation of many enemies, Germany pushed for a simple car that its people could easily afford. The VW was designed to be dependable, gas efficient, easy to maintain and repair.

VW BEETLE

The VW Beetle's round and compact body had nothing to do with "cuteness" but one of practicality.
Hitler mandated that the VW be able to carry a family of two parents and three kids at a sensible speed of 62 miles per hour. The cars small engine, located in the rear of the car was air cooled from a air-wind design. As the car moved and collected wind from air ducts on the front of the car, it spiraled and flowed through tube vents aimed into the Beetles engine compartment.

TYPE 2 TRANSPORTER BUS

Soon after the 1945 collapse of Hitler's Nazi government, Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon developed what was known as the Type 2 Transporter. The VW Bus engine was located in the rear of the vehicle just like its VW Beetle sibling. Both the Beetle and Bus became popular throughout the world and struggling countries such as Brazil and Mexico would indefinitely begin their own production of VW for its people.

THE FLOWER CHILD

Just ask any Baby Boomer to illustrate the hippy subculture and chances are a Volkswagen Bus painted with colorful flowers and peace symbols will come to mind. The VW bus became associated to hippies just as the Grateful Dead.

KARMANN GHIA

In 1955 Volkswagen introduced the practical and stylish Karmann Ghia. Unlike the affordable Beetle, the Ghia was intended for the upper class and came with a premium price. Production of Karmann Ghia seized in 1974, putting an end to what is now a very rare and classic car.

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1965 VW Micro Bus

Story: C.A

Location: Pomona, CA - Pomona Swap Meet and Car Show

After coming across a lime green VW Bus sitting on some platinum porches cookie cutter rims we just had to give it a closer inspection.

The 21 window bus was owned by Chris Horan who informed us that under the hood of his immaculate VW sat a restored 2276 engine with 48 Ida duel rebers.

We then strolled over to Victor Gonzalez’s sparkling strata silver 1963 VW Bug. What caught our eyes besides all the Volkswagens chrome decals was the original steering wheel located on the cars right hand side.

We took plenty of pictures of these pristine automobiles as well as others and hope that our viewers enjoy this master California experience.

Enjoy!