DECEMBER 27, 2020 was the 75th birthday of the world's most iconic car. Sadly, this iconic motoring legend was discontinued by its ‘masters’ in 2018.
Many reasons were given and we still think they made a wrong move. Why? Well, just look at how BMW has brought many versions of the iconic Mini to life until today and with much success. Also, note Ford with the revival of their Mustang sports car.
If the Mini and the Mustang can continue the retro cause in new variants, why couldn't the VW Beetle do the same?
The original Beetle was a practical machine. Starting with a platform frame using a central structural tunnel, the rear-mounted engine bolted directly to the trans-axle, eliminating the need for a driveshaft or U-joints. Having an air-cooled engine eliminated the need for a water pump, radiator, thermostat, or coolant hoses.
The body was attached to the chassis with just 18 bolts.
During the air-cooled Beetle's 65-year production run, more than 21 million versions were built world-wide. Every version and model upgrade of Volkswagen’s air-cooled Beetle had their good points and bad points. The last air-cooled Beetle in the world rolled out of the Volkswagen de México headquarters in Puebla in 2003.
This is the plant that has built all modern-era Beetles, including the VW Final Edition model. Puebla was built in 1965 to assemble the original Volkswagen Beetle for Mexico and South America.
The modern Beetle
In 1998 the Volkswagen Beetle rode the retro-inspired wave with a modern interpretation it called the New Beetle. Sales were promising and the world fell back in love with this quirky looking car.
A 3rd generation arrived in 2012 with a more aggressive style sporty coupe intentions, but sales never met VW’s expectations and so retirement of the nameplate was their solution.
The enthusiasts’ solution
This is why till today, there are many people looking to buy a classic Beetle and revive it with no expense spared.
Knowing this, we find it very strange that the used selling prices for the humble classic Beetle have not really shot upwards like other iconic cars from its era. Yes, prices are not cheap for a fully restored unit and for a simple basic unit, but it’s not as high as a retro Japanese car or even a classic basic Mercedes.
Probably because there are too many well-looked after units in the used car market at any one time. But the most expensive classic Beetle to buy today is a convertible. Beetle convertibles were produced from 1953 to 1979.
Since they are always more desirable, any year drop-top Beetle is worth your time. The factory-fitted tops were pretty good and featured a glass rear window.
History shared
On December 27, 1945, the serial production of the Volkswagen Limousine (Type 1) got started. This was the real beginning of the success story of Volkswagen. The model had originally been planned as a prestige project of the National Socialists. But from 1939 onwards the Wolfsburg plant had produced armaments instead of vehicles.
Up to the end of World War II, only 630 units of the model, which had been renamed “KdF-Wagen” in 1938, left the Volkswagen plant. It was only under British trusteeship that the unique success story of the VW Beetle began at Wolfsburg thanks to the strategic vision of Major Ivan Hirst.
From 1946 about 1,000 vehicles were produced per month. It was not possible to produce more vehicles in view of material shortages and rationing as well as a lack of personnel. The trustees responsible laid the foundations for further growth of the company by the fall of 1949.
They established a sales and after-sales service system and began to export the Volkswagen sedan in 1947.
The decision to develop a civilian factory and to start series production of the Volkswagen Type 1 was the starting point of a unique success story. Thanks to the early restart, the Volkswagenwerk GmbH got an excellent initial position for the economic upswing after the introduction of the D-Mark.
Under the unofficial designation of “VW Beetle”, the car became more popular than almost any other automobile model throughout the world. It was also a record-breaker in terms of production duration and volume. Volkswagen only discontinued production of the VW Beetle in Mexico in 2003, after 21,529,464 vehicles had been manufactured, including about 15.8 million in Germany.
Happy birthday, Volkswagen Beetle and may you be resurrected someday in the future. – The Vibes, December 29, 2020
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