Beetle Type 11 Standard (Germany, 1945)

Volkswagen Beetle is the car with the longest production time of a single design. Its popularity grew based on its comfort and considerable power, for a small car. It is a Volkswagen classic model with fans all over the world.

A volks-wagen, “people’s car”, had been in Ferdinand Porsche’s mind since the 1920s. The first attempts of building such car started in 1930, when Zundapp financed Ferdinand Porsche’s idea for a couple of years. In 1933, the German government, leaded by Hitler, started to support Porsche. Several prototypes were built and some were in fact produced before World War II, but the numbers were very small.

The factory resumed automobile production in 1945, manufacturing 1785 units in that year. The production of the Beetle terminated in Germany in 1974, but it carried in other countries. In Mexico, the last country to produce the Beetle, the production ceased in 2002.

The Beetle was designed to perform well in the autobahn, German’s high speed road. It was a powerful car compared with others existing at the time in Europe. The 34 hp version goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 27,5 seconds, surpassing, the Citroen 2CV and even the first Minis, badged Austin and Morris.

When Hitler requested a “people’s car” to Ferdinand Porsche, he specified certain criteria: the car needed to transport two adults and three children, it should reach 100 km/h, it should be cheap and it should have a low rate of fuel consumption.

In order to fulfill all these criteria, the engine was moved to the rear and the lines of the car were more aerodynamic. However, the aerodynamic lines were much inspired on Tatra’s cars. This carmaker sued Volkswagen and won.