Discovery Channel

Wheeler Dealers - Volkswagen Beetle at DiscoveryChannel.co.uk

Volkswagen Beetle

SOLD FOR £6,600

The Beetle is a motoring icon, known the world over. It’s been a while coming but finally Edd gets his hands on the BUG.

The Beetle has an extraordinary past. The man behind the Porsche marque - Ferdinand Porsche – did the early designs and by the start of the second world war production was underway. Amazingly the factory survived the worst of the bombing. When the war ended the decision was made to help Germany get back to work so the re-opening of the Beetle works was a priority. Incredibly the little car went on to outsell the Ford Model T and remained in production in Germany until 1978. In that time it had gone full circle from cheap runabout to highly desirable classic car, from dull shopping trolley to the favoured mode of transport of the Californian surfing community. The world had learned to love the BUG.

Among the most desirable Beetles are the oval rear window cars of the 1960’s. The proportions are much better than the 70’s era cars with their re-designed rounded wings and large headlights. The sixties cars have a poise and elegance which is really sought after.

The car we have bought is an absolute time capsule and this will be the theme we continue – a sensitive restoration which preserves all the character and keeps the car as original as possible. There are lots of things to enjoy about this 48 year old car – the cream bakelite gear knob and parcel shelf handle, the grey vinyl interior, the deep dish conical chrome wheel hubs and the patina of the old paintwork. When carefully restored this car will look great and be worth top money.

LINKS



VW BEETLE FACTS

  • Being from German manufacturers, the car was originally known as Käfer, which is the German word for beetle
  • The original Volkswagen Beetle was produced between 1938 and 2003
  • In 1933, Adolf Hitler gave the order to Ferdinand Porsche to develop a "Volks-Wagen", which means "people's car" in German
  • In 1938, the project was taken over and launched by an organisation called Kraft durch Freude (Strength Through Joy), who provided most of the funding
  • World War II put a halt to KdF's scheme, as much of the factory was destroyed. Demolition was prevented largely by British army major Ivan Hirst, who got the factory back into vehicle production after it had been captured by the Americans and handed to the British. He wanted to build military vehicles for the British forces, but decided to make use of the surviving tooling and parts for the KdF car
  • The first VW Beetle prototype was built in military green, and the British army subsequently placed an order for 20,000
  • In 1948, Heinz Nordhoff was appointed director of the Volkswagen factory and increased production dramatically. The one-millionth VW Beetle rolled off the assembly line in 1955
  • By 1973, total production was over 16 million, and by 1992 over 21 million had been produced
  • Beetles were produced in Ireland, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Nigeria

close


Fill out the form below to send this page to a friend

You can add extra friends by clicking on the plus button below.


Your Name:


Your Email Address: (*)


Recipient's Name:


Recipient's Address: (*)



Second Recipient's Name:


Second Recipient's Address: (*)



Third Recipient's Name:


Third Recipient's Address: (*)



Fourth Recipient's Name:


Fourth Recipient's Address: (*)



Fifth Recipient's Name:


Fifth Recipient's Address: (*)

add/remove recipient  
Your Message:


(*) Indicates a mandatory field