History of the Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1)

   1935: Dr. Ferdinand Porsche (Volkswagen AG's current chairman, Dr. Ferdinand Piech, is the grandson of Dr. Porsche.) designs and builds the first Beetle prototype with the hope of creating a "people's car." Of course the word volkswagen means literally the "peoples car". That is volks which in German is pronounce "folks" and wagon which is pronounced "vagon". The letter V in German is pronounced like an F in English and W is pronounced like the English V so the word volkswagen is pronounced 
"folks-vagen" in German. 
   1936: Between Oct. 22 and Dec. 22, three early Beetle prototypes set out on large-scale trials. Each car covers approximately 30,000 miles under the supervision of the German Automobile Industry Association. This was the VW 3 Series.

   1937: Construction of the "VW 30" Series. The 30 cars in this series cover a total distance of 1.8 million miles (2.4 million kilometers) in the course of tests. The Volkswagen Beetle begins to take shape. 
   1938: The first Beetle in its final form is produced. 
   1945: By the end of WW II, the Volkswagen factory is all but completely destroyed. Tile Allies help rebuild the factory and begin placing orders for the car. The British army orders 20,000 Volkswagens. 
   1946: Ten thousand and twenty Volkswagens produced in the course of the entire year. With so many vehicles being ordered and with spirits at Volkswagen on the rise the car is named the "Type I " to signify a new start for the company.
   1948: The first Beetle convertibles are produced by Hebmueller. A two-seater, only 682 are built. 
   1949, Jan. 8: On this day, two Volkswagen Beetles are shipped from the Netherlands. Their final destination, however, is the United States. They both sell for about $800 a piece. The original Beetles, which are simply referred to as Volkswagen sedans, are powered by 30HP engines. 
   1949, May 13: The 59,000th Volkswagen produced since the end of the WW II comes off of the assembly line. At the same time, the first production convertible Beetle is built at Karmazin coach works in Osnabruck, Germany. It is to become the best selling convertible in the world selling a total of 330,281 units. 
   1949, June 1: The "Export Model" is introduced. This improved equipment model added chrome trim, new exterior colors and increased interior comfort.
   1950: Hydraulic brakes are added. Ashtray added in front dash and right rear quarter panel. 
   1952: Glove compartment gets door, formerly an open space. 
   1953: Oval one-piece window replaces the split back window. 
   1954: Horsepower increased to 36HP. Starter button is now integrated with the ignition switch, formerly a separate button on the dashboard. 
   1955: The semaphore "idiot stick" turn indicators are replaced by modem, flashing indicators mounted low on the front and rear fenders. The 1,000,000th Volkswagen is produced. Volkswagen of America, Inc. is established in Englewood Cliffs, NJ as a sales and marketing subsidiary.
   1956: Sunroof changed from a cloth fabric to a plastic fabric. 
   1958: Rear window and windshield enlarged for better visibility. 
   1960: In the summer of 1960, Volkswagen imports the 500,000th Beetle to the U.S.. 
   1961: Horsepower increased to 40HP. 
   1962: Volkswagen's annual sales in America exceed 200,000 for the first time. 
   1964: Volkswagen begins producing cars in Mexico. A metal, sliding sunroof replaces the plastic fabric sunroof. 
   1965: Rear seat folds down to accommodate more luggage. Improved braking system makes for much shorter stops. 
   1966: Horsepower increased to 50HP. Hazard lights added. 
   1967: Horsepower increased to 53HP. 
   1968: The optional Automatic Stick Shift is introduced. Head restraints included on Front seat backs. Collapsible steering column in the event of frontal impact. 
   1969: Rear defroster put into the rear window. Day/night rearview mirror added. 
   1970: Horsepower increased to 57HP. Buzzer sounds when door is opened and keys are left in the ignition. Lock on glove compartment door.
   1974, July, I: The Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg ceases production of the Beetle atter.JU years and 11,916,519 cars. Production of the Beetle in Europe continues in Emden and Brussels. Self restoring energy absorbing bumpers, and a twelve month, 20,000 mile warranty that even covers wear-and-tear items such as spark plugs are added. 
   1975: Electronic fuel injection system added, giving the Beetle an averaged 33 mpg on the highway. 
   1976: Metallic paint and sport style wheels add a touch of flair to the Beetle. 
   1977: The last of the Beetle sedans in the U.S. Cost: $3,599. 
   1978, Jan. 19: The last Beetle produced in Germany comes off die line at the factory in Emden. Combined production abroad at Volkswagen's plants in Brazil, Mexico and Nigena are still 1,000 units per day.
   1979: The last Beetle convertible model year in the U.S. Cost: $6,49-).
   1980, Jan. 10: The last Beetle convertible is produced at the Karman factory on January 10. 
   1981: The 20,000,000th Beetle is produced. 
   1985: On Aug. 12, the last imported Beetles arrive in Emden. The Beetle leaves the European market. Production and sales continue in Mexico and Brazil. 
   1996: As of November, about 400 Type I Beetles are still produced every day at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. Production of the Beetle in Brazil is discontinued.

Total Beetle Production (as of November, 1997): 21,342,955

Total U.S. Sales: 4,988,350

1974 Volkswagen Beetle Specifications

Wheelbase: 94.5 inches

Overall width: 61.0 inches

Overall height: 59.1 inches

Curb weight: 1970 pounds

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