Bob's 1966 Volkswagen Beetle
Email me at 1855mac@gmail.com / Video / History of VW Beetle / 1966 VW Beetles only
Volkswagen USA / Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Club

My 1966 Beetle

•   1,080,165 units built in 1966 production year

•   1966 was the only year the "1300" engine was offered

•   Maximum output: 50hp at 4600 RPM

•   Maximum and cruising speed: Officially 74mph (seriously?!)

•   Acceleration: 0-60mph in 23 seconds (no whiplash in this car!)

•   Fuel tank: 10.6 US gallons

•   Fuel efficiency: 28.5 miles per gallon

•   Oil capacity: 2.65 US quarts

•   Battery: 6-volt (my car was later changed to a 12-volt system)

•   13.4 ft long, 5 ft wide, just under 5 ft tall, just under 8 ft wheelbase, 36 ft turning circle

•   Curb weight: 1,672 lbs

•   Tires: 5.6 x 15 tubeless (recommended air pressure 18 PSI Front, 28 PSI Rear)

•   1966 price tag: $1,585

•   Bumper-to-bumper restoration in 2006.

•   VIN: My car has a 9-digit Vehicle Identification Number, issued in Germany at the factory

•   When I bought this car (Oct 2016), the odometer was 1,513 miles--- re-set when the engine was rebuilt.

•   When my car came off the line in Dec 1965 in Germany, it was painted Pearl White with Pigalle (a dark red) leatherette upholstery. When my car was restored in 2006, the owner chose Bahama Blue, another official VW Beetle color in 1966. He used Sherwin-Williams Automotive paint #4961215. Pearl White and Bahama Blue are both original VW colors for 1966 (see 1966 chart below). My car often appears powder blue in photos, but it is definitely a pale green. For this reason, I prefer photographing my car under overcast skies.

•   A list of changes, improvements, and modifications I have made (or more accurately: have HAD made) to my 1966 Beetle appears at the bottom of this web page.

Birth Certificate - I acquired my car's "Birth Certificate" from the Stiftung VW AutoMuseum in Wolfsburg, Germany. It confirms that the engine in my car is not the original (it was probably changed when it was restored in 2006). The original color of my car was Pearl White with Pigalle (a dark red) leatherette upholstery; Pearl White wheel rims with Black wheel discs. My car was built 12/7/1965 in Emden, Germany; it left the factory on 12/17/1965; then exported to San Antonio TX.



Advertising - The "Think Small" advertising campaign began in 1959. It was, "the best advertising campaign of the twentieth century," according to Advertising Age magazine. It was the genius of the Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB) advertising agency in New York. "It did much more than boost sales and build a lifetime of brand loyalty... the ad, and the work of the ad agency behind it, changed the very nature of advertising, from the way it's created, to what you see as a consumer today."

The first ad of the "Think Small" campaign was called "Lemon." It explained how 3,389 inspectors meticulously examine each VW Beetle before it is shipped to the USA. But this Beetle "missed the boat" due to a blemish near the glovebox. "We pluck the lemons, you get the plums."

If you loved the "Think Small" print campaign, you would love the excellent coffee table book Remember Those Great Volkswagen Ads by Alfredo Marcantonio, David Abbott, and John O'Driscoll.

My favorite VW TV ads: 1949 Auto Show and Funeral Procession


Milestones

One cannot trace the origins of the Volkswagen Beetle without including the name Adolf Hitler. Please know that I am not denying, ignoring, or in any way minimizing the absolute evil of Adolf Hitler and his regime.
1933 - Dr. Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) draws first sketches of a simple little car that common citizens could own and enjoy. (Note: Please see "Who Created the VW Beetle" further down this page.)

1934 - Nazi leader Adolf Hitler commissions Porsche to develop the KdF-Wagen ("Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy"), forerunner of the VW Beetle.

1936 - At Berlin Auto Show, Hitler announces that Porsche will design a Volkswagen ("People's Car"). Porsche promises Hitler he will produce three prototypes by year's end.

1937 - First road test of prototypes.

1938 - Thirty prototypes (called Series 30) built

1939 - May 26: Ceremony commemorates laying of cornerstone of VW factory at Wolfsburg, west of Berlin. It would later become world's largest auto factory under one roof.

1940 - KdF-Wagen unveiled to public at Berlin Auto Show. Germany goes to war.

1942 - German army vehicles (Kubelwagens) built; German amphibious army vehicles (Schwimmwagens) built

1944 - Allies bomb Wolfsburg factory

1945 - Hitler's Nazi Germany surrenders to Allies on May 8; World War II ends in Europe. Porsche interrogated by Allies for his connections to Nazis. Is cleared, but later imprisoned in France with son Ferry for two years.

1946 - 1,785 cars built, mostly by hand; used as Army light transport vehicles

1947 - Wolfsburg plant produces 19,000 cars; all exported to Holland. Two hand-made convertibles built.

1948 - 20,000th Beetle built. Beetle modified into convertible. Henry Ford II given opportunity to buy Volkswagen but declines. 24 years later, VW Beetle out-sells Ford Model-T, becoming one of the world's top selling cars.

1949 - January 17: First Beetle bought in USA by Ben Pon. Max Hoffman becomes first importer.

1950 - 100,000th Beetle built (1,000 were convertibles). Ferdinand Porsche visits Wolfsburg plant; cries when he sees Beetles on the Autobahn--- his dream car has become reality. It is sometime in the 1950s when people start calling it Käfer, German for "Beetle." In France, it would be nicknamed the Coccinelle or "Ladybug." (While many people today still call it a "Bug," the official name is "Beetle.")

1951 - January 10: Ferdinand Porsche dies at age 75.

1952 - First official gathering of Beetle owners. Canada imports its first Beetle.

1953 - 500,000th Beetle built. VW plant opens in Sao Paulo, Brasil.

1954 - December 6: Volkswagenwerk GMBH officially registers "Volkswagen" as a trademark, although the name had been used for many years.

1955 - April: VW of America formed. One-millionth Beetle built.

1957 - Two-millionth Beetle built

1959 - Three-millionth Beetle built

1960 - Four-millionth Beetle built

1961 - Five-millionth Beetle built.

1962 - VW of America headquarters at Englewood Cliffs NJ dedicated. Six-millionth Beetle built.

1963 - Seven-millionth Beetle built

1964 - Eight- and Nine-millionth Beetles built

1965 - Ten-millionth Beetle built

1966 - Eleven- and Twelve-millionth Beetles built
For 1966, new 1300cc 50 hp (37 kW; 51 PS) engine replaces previous 1200cc engine that had been the sole engine since 1954. Models carry a "1300" badge on the engine lid. The 1300cc engine was standard for North America.

1967 - First year Beetles use a 12-volt battery (previous years were 6-volt)

1968 - First year Beetles use plastic dashboards (previous years were all-metal dashboards).

1970 - Super Beetle introduced. Last year convertible Beetle in standard format is available (only convertible Beetles in Super Beetle format are available).

1972 - February 12: 15,007,034th Beetle rolls off assembly line, surpassing Ford Model-T in total production.

1974 - June: The last of 11,916,519 Beetles built at Wolfsburg plant rolls off assembly line.

1975 - Last year for Super Beetle production.

1977 - Last year for standard Beetle in USA; only Super Beetle convertibles remain.

1978 - Last official German-built Beetle rolls off assembly line at Emden (my car was built there in Dec 1965).

1979 - January 10: Last Beetle convertible built

1981 - Twenty-millionth Beetle built (in Puebla, Mexico)

1998 - Production model of New Beetle unveiled at Detroit International Auto Show. Unlike the classic Beetle, the New Beetle's engine is in the front. (Also see 2019.)

1999 - New Beetle Turbo available to US dealerships.
Global Automotive Elections Foundation's "Car of the Century" competition chooses Ford Model T as world's most influential car of the 20th century, followed by the Mini, Citroën DS, and VW Beetle.

2003 - July 30: Last Beetle (21,529,464th) rolls off assembly line (in Puebla, Mexico)

2019 - Last production year for the New Beetle. It is rumored that the Beetle may be resurrected a few years from now as an all-electric car. Stay tuned. Film at 11.

The last original Beetle rolled off the line on July 30, 2003 at the last remaining production facility in the world (Puebla, Mexico)--- 63 years after it was unveiled to the public in Nazi Germany in 1940. The last of 21,529,464 total units was then shipped off to the company's museum in Wolfsburg, Germany. In true Mexican fashion, a mariachi band serenaded the last car.

The last Beetle: 13.32 feet long, 5.08 feet wide, 4.92 feet high, 7.87 feet between axles, 1,786 pounds; 4 cylinders, 1.6 Litres; manual transmission; front disc brakes, back drum brakes; 10.57 US gallons fuel capacity; 5 passengers (they should be friends); painted "Aquarius Blue"


Who Created the VW Beetle?
(Listed alphabetically)
Béla Viktor Karl Barényi was a Hungarian-Austrian engineer, regarded as the "father of passive safety in automobiles." He was born near Vienna, Austria in 1907. After mechanical and electrical engineering studies at the Vienna college, he was employed by automobile companies Austria-Fiat, Steyr, and Adler (predecessor of Audi) before joining Daimler-Benz in 1939. A Mercedes-Benz website credits Barényi with conceiving the original design for the VW in 1925, and with producing a technical drawing five years before Dr. Ferdinand Porsche claimed to have created his initial version. In 1955, Barényi successfully sued Volkswagen for copyright infringement, thus legally acknowledging his contribution to the creation of the VW Beetle. Barényi is also credited with developing the concept of the "crumple zone," the non-deformable passenger cell, the collapsible steering column, safer detachable hardtops, and more. After he died in 1997, Mercedes said, "No one in the world has given more thought to car safety than this man."
Josef Ganz - Dutch journalist Paul Schilperoord reports in his book "The True Story of the Beetle" (written in Dutch) that the Volkswagen Beetle was the brainchild of Jewish engineer Josef Ganz. According to Schilperoord, "In 1929, Josef Ganz started contacting German motorcycle manufacturers for collaboration to build a Volkswagen prototype. This resulted in a first prototype built at Ardie in 1930 and a second one completed at Adler [predecessor of Audi] in May 1931, which was nicknamed the Maikäfer ('May-Beetle')." Schilperoord says Ganz was a student and wanted to design an inexpensive car. "He often crashed with his motorbike--- What he really wanted was a car which was a lot safer, but just as affordable as a motorbike." Schilperoord says Ganz' first production model was called the Standard Superior. It appeared in Spring 1933 ("in May when the May beetles fly") at the Berlin Motor Show. Adolf Hitler, appointed German Chancellor in January 1933, opened the show and saw the Standard Superior. Hitler showed interest in the prototype. Such a car fit his plans to "motorize" Germany. Instead of ordering the Standard car factory to develop and produce the Jewish-designed car, Hitler looked for another German developer to take over. A sketch from the 1930s, allegedly made by Hitler himself though I believe it was actually a sketch by Ferdinand Porsche, shows the outlines of a car resembling what we know today as the VW Beetle. The drawing is said to have been given to carmaker Daimler-Benz which apparently turned down the opportunity before it was given to Ferdinand Porsche (see below). According to Schilperoord, Ganz later left Germany for Switzerland where he tried in vain to reclaim intellectual ownership of the Beetle. His name carefully erased from the history books by Hitler, Ganz moved to Australia in 1951. He died in 1967. (A great website: Josef Ganz: True father of the VW Beetle)
Dr. Ferdinand Porsche - It is said that long before he seized power in 1933, Adolf Hitler envisioned an inexpensive car that the typical German family could own and enjoy. The car could be driven along the sweeping highways that he wanted to build throughout Germany. Once in power, Hitler assigned the task of designing the car to famed automaker Dr. Ferdinand Porsche who shared a similar vision for such a car. By 1938, designs were completed, and a factory site was selected in the town later to be known as Wolfsburg, west of Berlin. Hitler announced the car's name: The KdF-Wagen ("Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy"). The name never became widely used by the German public. It was more commonly called the "Volkswagen," or "people's car." As it turned out, no common German citizen ever owned a Volkswagen while the Nazis were in power. By the outbreak of war in 1939, only about 630 cars had been built, and nearly all of those went to Hitler and his military officers. (So much for "the people's car," eh?)
  A sketch reportedly drawn by Adolf Hitler and given to famed automaker Ferdinand Porsche in 1934. I think it is more likely that this was Porsche's sketch, not Hitler's, and that Porsche gave it to Hitler after being given marching orders to go build a "people's car."
    Dr. Ferdinand Porsche shows Nazi leader Adolf Hitler various features of the proposed KdF-Wagen, forerunner to the Volkswagen Beetle.


My Collection

One cannot trace the origins of the Volkswagen Beetle without including the name Adolf Hitler. Please know that I am not denying, ignoring, or in any way minimizing the absolute evil of Adolf Hitler and his regime.
An authentic ID badge worn by some VW factory worker in the early 1940s. It is light-weight, perhaps a heavy tin. "220" might be the worker's unique ID number, or maybe a building number? It appears the round post in the back would slip into a typical button hole on a jacket or apron. I have seen other examples of this badge in blue, orange and red. Perhaps the color of the badge indicated the particular building to which the worker was assigned?
In January 1941, the Vienna-based Schrauben-und Schmiedewaren-Fabriks AG, Brevillier & A. Unger & Söhne became Schmiedewerk Ustron GmbH, based in Berlin (Gmbh is similar to today's LLC, or limited liability company). The plan was to expand the plant into a large-scale forge, capable of supplying the forgings needed for 450,000 VWs annually after the war. However, by the end of 1941, the factory's 687 workers primarily supplied the Reichsbahn (state railways) and the Wehrmacht (Nazi military). The 630 VWs that were produced went to the Nazi elite, none to the common citizen. So much for the "people's car."
This badge is 2¼" wide at the base; just over 1½" tall


An authentic ID badge worn by some VW factory worker in the early 1940s. It is light-weight, perhaps a heavy tin. "30-109 A" might be the worker's unique ID number, or maybe a building number? It appears the round post in the back would slip into a typical button hole on a jacket or apron. The badge was made by the company H. Aurich in Dresden, Germany. "Ges Gesch" means "registered trademark."
This badge is 1½" wide at the base; 1¼" tall


A lapel pin given away at the dedication of the VW factory at Fallersleben on July 1, 1938. It says "City of the KdF-Wagens, Fallersleben." Fallersleben was constructed to be the home of the new Volkswagen factory. The facility was dedicated by Adolf Hitler. It is said that it was in Fallersleben that the iconic Beetle was born. Fallersleben was renamed Wolfsburg in May 1945, and is now the home to Volkswagen AG. VW Beetle production continued at Fallersleben/ Wolfsburg through 1978. "Stadt des KdF-Wagens" ("Home of the Volkswagen, Fallersleben").

The pin at the top is a replica; the one below is an original.

1" in diameter.


A replica (I am rather certain) of a lapel pin given away at the cornerstone-laying of the VW factory near the 14th century Wolfsburg Castle, west of Berlin, Germany, on May 26, 1938. Adolf Hitler and Dr. Ferdinand Porsche were among the 2,000 guests that day. On display were three VW Type 38 KdF vehicles: a dark blue sedan, a black sunroof sedan and a dark burgundy convertible. The KdF sedan was a split-window Beetle, and would serve as the post-war Volkswagen design for decades to come. The Wolfsburg factory became the world's largest auto factory under one roof. "Laying of the Cornerstone, Volkswagen Factory, May 1938."

1½" wide


This pin was offered on eBay in June 2018 for $1,500. According to the seller, "Rare piece of automobile history. Heavy metal medal commemorating Hitler's 'people's car.' Original Volkswagen Beetle car with gear. 'Grunsteinlegung des Volkwagenwerks Mai 1938.' Reverse pinback, reads 'RZ GES. GESCH.' Extremely rare piece. The bar pin is missing."

1½" wide.

I do not doubt its authenticity. But for $1,500, I think I'm pretty happy with my $20 replica.
Update: Within days of it being posted on eBay, this item was removed. Hmmmm, interesting.


A light-weight die-stamped badge with six crimps on the back, holding a thin layer of waxed cork (the brown you see here is the cork). I think collectors call these type of badges "tinnies." A simple pin glued onto the cork on the back. It was allegedly given to participants of some conference held in East Hannover in 1939. A transportation conference perhaps? I have seen several variations of this badge, with various materials used as backing--- mine is cork. The skeptic in me thinks this pin is a replica. If you know more, please email me. Thank you.

1½" wide, 2½" high.



The medallion above was issued in 1961 to workers at the Wolfsburg Germany Volkswagen factory to commemorate the production of the five-millionth VW Beetle. The medallion bears the image and signature of the legendary Heinz Heinrich Nordhoff (right). Nordhoff was a German engineer who led Volkswagen for 20 years (1948-1968), rebuilding the company after World War II. He turned the VW Beetle into a worldwide automotive phenomenon, producing almost 15 million vehicles. He pioneered the idea of constant improvement while keeping the basic style the same, sort of like, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He gave liberal benefits to Volkswagen workers and increased pay scales. Within six years after taking over Volkswagen, Nordhoff reduced the number of man-hours to produce a single car by 75%. His commitment to improving the workmanship at Volkswagen made the Beetle famous for reliability. Medallion is 1½" in diameter, roughly the size and weight of a US silver dollar. Often found on eBay for about $200. I bought this one for WAY less. 😉


The Nazis told the German citizens they could use a savings book to record payments toward a future KdF-wagen using Revenue Savings stamps, each stamp representing another payment toward their car. The plan to produce an affordable car for all Germans never materialized for anyone except those in the Nazi upper command. I do not know how many of these stamps one would need to purchase a new KdF-Wagen.

Aug 1938 - The DAF (German Labour Front) announces the "KdF-Wagen installment savings plan." The politically-determined purchase price of 990 Reichsmarks (about $2,475 in 1938) can be paid through a weekly minimum installment of five Reichsmarks into a DAF savings plan. By the end of WWII, over 336,000 citizens had signed up for the plan, far fewer than the DAF had expected, and insufficient to fulfil the vision of a mass-motorized society. Moreover, wage-earners are severely under-represented because of their lower than average income (they make about 30 Reichsmarks/week, or roughly $75/week or $3,900/year). By the end of WWII, no KdF-Wagens had been delivered to any of the citizens enrolled in this "savings plan."


A postage stamp from the 1939 Auto Exposition in Berlin, Germany. Artist's rendering of a KdF-wagen.


1938 KdF-Wagen Brochure

These eight panels are a 1938 brochure intended to impress the German people with the idea of the KdF-Wagen ("Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy"). What was promoted as being an affordable car for the "common German citizen" never materialized for anyone other than Nazi command staff. So much for a "people's car."

My thanks to Seth Emerson who painstakingly translated the German text to English. Some German words used in the 1930s are hardly even known today. Coupled with the elaborately decorative German font Fraktur, translation is not easy. You will see some sections that were simply too difficult to accurately translate. I have noted these with [?]. Thank you for your help, Seth!

<< The KDF Wagen ["Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy" car]
<< The will of the Fuehrer [Adolf Hitler] presents the German people with the KDF Wagen ["Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy" wagon]. Tried and tested by the strongest [?], in the flat lands, along the steepest passes in the Alps, and on the Federal Autobahn, the KDF Wagen has great resistance and durability as well as proven to be economical. The German Labor Front has made the mass production of this "great-deal" possible by using the most modern technology, all for an amazingly low price. But the price of the construction of these automobiles is not the defining factor. Additionally it is the knowledge that the consumption and maintenance can be so cheap and can be affordable for those who with little means. The endurance tests, [?], have undergone altogether more than two million kilometers of driving, whereupon each car has covered a distance of over 100,000 km, demonstrates, that this goal was reached. The use of operating costs has been kept to the lowest minimum, while the necessity to maintain [?]. The KDF Wagen is also nicely spacious, and has a smooth ride quality, which until now could only be found in mid-sized automobiles. Its exterior combines a beautiful line of layout with minimum air resistance. The excellent suspension with independent rotating wheels and incredible road-handling of this car, works in conjunction with the highest security braking. It is the will of the Fuehrer for the industrious German people to do their best, which has been clearly demonstrated by the creative spirit of the German automotive industry. What a will it has become!
<< [?]
<< The design offers space to comfortably seat four adults and one child. A very spacious trunk is located behind the backseat. A second space for luggage can be found under the front hood. The door window [?]. The windshield is made from shatterproof glass. A warm-air heating system provides a comfortable interior-temperature in winter. The left door is lockable, the right can be closed. The headlight dimmer switch is operated through the foot pedal. Furthermore, exclusively developed for the KDF Wagen, additional installation of a radio with European reception is available. The paint is dark-blue gray. As an extra value, individual parts have been used for weather resistance and to prevent rust.
<< With sunroof
<< The chassis and body have been widened to make the KDF Wagen more spacious, which makes longer trips more pleasant. The seats that are positioned between the axles create a nearly unaltered center of gravity, regardless of whether the driver is alone or the car is full with five persons, and moves all the seats in the zone of best suspension, which allows each wheel to rotate independently. Swaying in curves is completely eliminated.
<< [Left side of page]
Cruising speed at each gear and climbing ability with 300Kg of cargo at average sea level.
Tested in Katschberg (Mountain pass in the Austrian Alps. Elevation is 5,384 ft)
1st Gear 20km/hr 32% gradient
2nd Gear 40km/hr 18% gradient
3rd Gear 65km/hr 9% gradient
4th Gear 100Km/hr

[Right side of page]
40km/hr 7m braking distance
0-60km/hr in 14 seconds

The highly resistant overhead valve 4-cylinder engine is exceptional in regard to outside temperatures and maintenance, very economical, and is air-cooled, all without special preventative measures other than garage storage during winter. The 4-speed transmission allows for great use in any terrain and a maximum driving experience on the Federal Autobahn, particularly due to the radiator cooling system.
Standard equipment includes: Odometer and Speedometer. Directional indicator (turn signal). Electric dual-windshield wipers. Indicator lamps (lights) for generator, oil pressure, windshield wipers and headlights. Rear-view mirror. Interior light. Spare-tire and toolkit.
Special five-speed transmission vehicles are available at an extra charge.
Fuel consumption is 7 liters for 100km. Fuel tank with reserve holds 25 liters. Braking distance at 40km/hr is 7 meters. 0-60km/hr in 14 seconds. Maximum speed is 100km/hr
*Subject to changes

<< Details about the KDF Wagen are available at all local departments of the German Labor Front and the Nazi-Community. "Speed Through Joy"



1941 KdF-Wagen


This 1941 KdF-Wagen, Type 60L, is believed to be the oldest surviving KdF-Wagen production model known to exist. It is Chassis #20 out of an eventual 21,000,000 units. Car enthusiast Ondrej Brom from the Czech Republic found it and completely restored it. Brom published a detailed account of his 16-year restoration project, complete with dozens and dozens of high-quality photos. If you want to treat yourself to what is arguably the finest book about restoring a VW Beetle, order this book! The text throughout the book appears in two columns, Czech and English. The hefty price tag (it cost me $204 to have my US bank send the money to Brom) is worth every penny! (Photos courtesy www.KdF41.com)


1943 KdF-Wagen

This 1943 KdF-Wagen ("Kraft durch Freude" or "Strength through joy") was offered for auctioned at The Elegance at Hershey (PA) on June 11, 2016. Estimated sale price: $275,000-$350,000. It did not sell.

The following text accompanied the listing above for this 1943 KdF-Wagen (KdF), "Type 60" VW Beetle coupe, chassis number 1-019477. I modified the text a bit for clarity.

The KdF-Wagen was the first example of what we know today as the Volkswagen Beetle. It was reportedly designed in 1937 by Erwin Komenda under the leadership of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche who had received instructions from Adolf Hitler to create a "people's car." Komenda's aerodynamic styling included the split rear windows because curved glass was inordinately expensive. Stuttgart-based coachbuilder Reutter created the classic shape that would remain virtually unchanged until 1967. On May 26, 1938, Hitler laid the cornerstone of a new factory near Fallersleben, Lower Saxony, that would produce the "Kraft durch Freude" ("Strength through joy") or "KdF-Wagen." The adjoining new town would be known as "KdF-Stadt" (it was renamed Wolfsburg after WWII). Hitler also introduced a savings scheme where aspiring owners could collect stamps that would eventually pay for their car.

Production of the Porsche-designed car was to start in September 1939. A few Type 60 and Type 4WD 82e KdF-Wagens were built between 1939 and 1944, but production inevitably focused on military vehicles such as the Kubelwagen and Schwimmwagen. For most of the war, the KdF plant escaped heavy bombing because the new town was not on many allied maps. From 1944, the Wolfsburg factory manufactured the V1 flying bomb until US bombing raids destroyed the factory. KdFs between 1937 and 1944 totalled about 840 units. KdFs were allocated to low-profile top Nazi officials.

In 1945, the factory at Wolfsburg was located in the British occupation zone. It was placed under the control of British Army Major Ivan Hirst. There was no longer a need for military vehicles, so Hirst resuscitated the Volkswagen project and started filling an order from the British Army for 20,000 cars. The factory was later offered to various car manufacturers, including Henry Ford II, but no interest was shown. (Note: The VW Beetle would surpass the Ford Model-T in 1972 as the top selling car of all time--- 21,529,464 units, a title it would not soon relinquish.) In 1949, Heinrich Nordhoff, a former senior manager with Opel, took over the project from Major Hirst.

The Type 60 pictured above was delivered to the German Red Cross at Potzdam Babelsberg in Berlin on June 1, 1943. Representatives of The Red Cross, an ostensibly neutral international organization, visited and were posted at prisoner-of-war and Nazi concentration camps, which may account for the car's later discovery in Poland. The type 60 above was advertised for sale in a Polish provincial newspaper in 2000 and noticed by its current owner, Dr. Robert "Mac" Jones of Jackson, TN. He dispatched a connoisseur to view the car who discovered that it was indeed an authentic VW KdF. The car was purchased and taken to Germany, where it was delivered to Peter Schmalbach in Frankfurt-am-Mein, the leading expert on Wehrmacht vehicle restorations. After Schmalbach died, the car was sent to Christian Grundmann in Hessisch Oldendorf for further restoration work, using original KdF parts as appropriate, before dispatch to Hermann Schimkat for final inspection. Dr. Jones, who had rigorously researched this KdF to ensure the details were correct, received the completed car in Belgium, then drove it 250 miles to a major Volkswagen show where it was received with much enthusiasm and reviewed in many magazines. It was then shipped to Jones' home in Tennessee in December 2013, part of his collection until March 2016. It was then shipped to G&S Motors of Fletcher NC for cosmetic detailing and mechanical servicing, which included an engine-out service.


Hermann Göring's 1944 KdF-Wagen? Probably not.

This 1944 KdF-Wagen, Type 82e, was listed on eBay (item #122398293887) in March 2017 for $525,000. A few days later, the ad had been removed. Sold perhaps? According to the Austin TX seller, this car was once issued to Nazi Reichmarschal Hermann Göring. The seller reportedly had an abundance of authentic documentation, and described it as "possibly the rarest KDF/VW in the world." (So says the seller.)

Updates:

  • On 7-3-2017, I ran another Google search on this car. There were several references to it being offered on eBay, but all of the links went to an inoperable eBay listing, suggesting to me that perhaps the seller--- or eBay?--- had second thoughts about selling this car.
  • One website suggested that this car (serial #5033568) may have once been owned by a Frenchman, Jacky Morel, then shipped to the USA by car collector Jesse James, owner of Austin Speed Shop in Austin TX.
  • Another Google search indicates this car was built 1-31-1944 and delivered on 8-2-1944.
  • On March 15, 2017, an article by Sebastien Bell (vwvortex.com) reported that this car was delivered to Hermann Göring's office. It is not known, however, whether Göring ever really sat in this car (evidently he preferred a Mercedes 540K). While this KdF may have indeed been delivered to Göring's office, it was likely handed over to some other Nazi official. Bell's story matches other information I found regarding ownership by Jacky Morel, then USA collector Jesse James.
  • In August 2017, this car appeared on www.OldBug.com for $475,000.
  • There seems to be a fair amount of mystery and speculation about this car--- rightfully so, considering its reported direct association with Nazi evil. I do not know how much of the information above is accurate. This car seems to have quickly vanished. I will keep researching. Stay tuned. Film at 11.


A 1957 VW Beetle ragtop is driven into a scene in the 1960 Billy Wilder dark comedy "The Apartment" starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray. Although the story line in unsavory, I love the acting, the theme song (you've heard it a million times but may have never known its origin), and the creative script.


In June 2020, I delivered a new 2019 Beetle Turbo for a local VW dealership to a happy customer in Ludington MI. It was Tornado Red. The salesman who sold the car to this customer told me it was last Beetle available in Michigan.

The salesman and I chuckled about the color name. I would have thought "Tornado" would more appropriately describe a shade of black or dark gray. Maybe the person who initially called it Tornado Red meant Tomato Red? ha ha


Chinese manufacturer Ora debuts the "Punk Cat" all-electric car at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. It resembles the original VW Beetle (Type 1) but with four doors. It has a digital gauge cluster, large central display, and a retro interior trimmed in red, white, green and gold.

Volkswagen built the last Type 1 Beetle in 2003, and discontinued the New Beetle after its 2019 model year. While VW currently has no plans to reintroduce the Beetle, executives say its return as an electric car is possible. VW has also indicated that its Legal Department will be taking a closer look at the Punk Cat to see if any copyrights have been violated. Stay tuned. Film at 11.

(Photos courtesy Ora)


Above: 1966 VW Beetles ready to be shipped from Germany to US dealerships. I think I see mine!

Above: While on vacation in Mississippi in 2022, I passed a field of once loved but now discarded VW Beetles. Such great memories!


Changes, Improvements, Modifications

Things I've done to my car since I bought it in October 2016. Many of these were completed with the excellent help of my buddy Jerry, and are so designated with an asterisk.

• Purchased in Oct 2016 from a private owner in Atlanta GA. Had it shipped to Michigan. The odometer showed 1,513 miles (miles driven since the car was restored in 2006).

• Added adhesive-backed 3½" convex mirror to the driver's side mirror. (Convex mirrors have saved me many times. I do not mind trading a little historical authenticity for a large amount of safety.)

• Removed antenna and covered two existing holes with rubber gasket from the antenna assembly. (No radio, so why keep the antenna?) Used two nylon automotive inserts to secure the gasket.

• After the left headlight burned out, replaced both headlights with Wagner halogen lamps. Since the headlight assemblies were already off the car and open, also replaced both turn indicator bulbs.

• *Removed both door panels, lubricated window assemblies so windows roll up/down much easier, much more quietly; adjusted internal latch mechanism so passenger door could be opened from inside

• *Removed and serviced windshield wiper motor assembly so that both wipers now work

• Discovered that windshield washer was not hooked up to spare tire. I will leave it that way.

• Replaced both exterior door handles; *Jerry customized interior mechanism of driver side door handle to improve operation

• Replaced both interior door handles, both interior window cranks and the four interior escutcheons

• Replaced weather seals on both doors

• Replaced original cardboard glove box with a black plastic; replaced both rubber bumpers inside glove box.

• Replaced both defrost hoses, though I never use them.

• Replaced all 56 interior clips and boots holding both door panels in place

• Replaced VW logo hood (bonnet) emblem

• Replaced both hinge pins in driver door (thanks to John at State of Mind Customs)

• Trimmed driver side exterior door molding 3/8" for better fit

• *Replaced driver door jam light switch and rubber gasket

• *Replaced both front bumper bracket rubber seals; adjusted front bumper brackets to better accommodate the bracket rubber seals, though they still do not fit as they should. Oh well.

• *Replaced several broken retainer clips that hold hubcabs to wheels (5 per wheel)

• *Tightened both rear axleshaft nuts (36mm socket) to prevent any possible wobble; replaced both cotter pins

• Replaced Wolfsburg emblem on steering wheel

• My thanks to members of the Michigan Vintage Volkswagen Club who told me that my front turn indicators are probably a custom design. A previous owner probably removed the turn indicators from on top of the fenders (where they should be for a 1966 VW Beetle Sedan) and wired the running lights (located within the headlight assemblies) as turn indicators. I would never choose to customize my car this way, but since it is already done by a previous owner, I will leave them as is. (Actually, I think they look pretty cool this way.)

• *Replaced generator belt. Used 6 of 10 shims. Will remove some shims after a few hundred miles to reduce slack that will naturally develop.

• Added hose clamps to ends of gas line after leak was observed. Leak solved.

• Had all three seats reupholstered with "charcoal tweed" cloth, replacing the Navy blue vinyl.

• Replaced air filter element.

• Replaced all four shocks. (Thanks to Ballard M. at Williams Volkswagen.) It now rides smoother and a bit higher than before. I don't like the lowered "Southern California" look. I much prefer a "stock" Beetle, and these new shocks get it there nicely!

• Changed license plate to authentic 1966 (black on cream) Michigan license plate "AD6666," perfect for a 1966 car!

• *When left rear brake locked up for no apparent reason, examined "star wheels" on brake adjusters. Found retaining clips that inhibit start wheels from rotating were missing from left rear brake. Wired star wheel to prevent unintentional rotation. Also, replaced right rear brake drum and both front brake drums. (Note: I would later replace the right front brake drum with one made in Germany when one of the lug nuts in this Italian version stripped the threads.)

• *Replaced all front-end ball joints, and mounts for stabilizer bar. (Learned a LOT from this project! The stabilizer bar mounts finally went in but with great difficulty, and the right front fender has a hardly noticeable wrinkle under its lip. So we think the car may have been in some low-speed crash prior to my purchase.)

• Discovered Westley's Black Magic "Bleche-Wite" tire cleaner. Excellent for cleaning white walls. (Would later switch to black walls, so this product is no longer a factor.)

• After experiencing some clutch slippage, I took my car to All Import Auto Care for a complete "once over." Denny and his crew repaired/replaced the clutch, engine and transmission mounts, transmission fluid, both axle boots, valve cover gaskets, fuel line from tank to engine, fuel filters, oil pressure switch, generator pulley, fan belt, accelerator tube, carb spring, muffler, muffler gaskets, engine cooling hoses, front wheel cylinder, refill brake fluid. A lot of work ($1,912), but wow--- she drives, rides, and sounds like 1966 again! Truly, a new car! I also learned that I was running her with too much tire pressure. Should be 18 PSI Front, 28 PSI Rear. (Update: Due to the impact of Covid19 on business, Denny permanently closed his doors at All Import. Bummer. He provided such great service for so many years.)

• Replaced Wolfsburg moon chrome hubcaps with stock-design chrome hubcaps (embossed VW logo at center)

• Engine kept dying out at Stop Lights. Removed Idle screw, blew out Idle port, reinstalled screw all the way until it gently stopped, then backed it out six half-turns. Idles beautifully now.

• *At a stop light, slipped it into Neutral, waited for light to turn. But then could not find any gear but Third. Limped home in Third. Adjusted clutch cable freeplay. Much better. (Would later replace the clytch cable which solved this issue!)

• *My driver's seat made a "clunk" whenever I got in the car. It started when I had the seats re-upholstered. Found that the "outside" rail on which the seat rides had bowed slightly, so when I got in, the seat would "clunk" off that rail. A heavy screwdriver helped bend the rail back into place and eliminate the "clunk."

• My neighbor Jon fabricated a 5" aluminum extension to the existing shifter, making shifting way easier.

• *Replaced steering wheel and horn ring.

• Installed after-market mesh headlight screens; replaced both horn grills.

• Replaced horn. *Replaced both front wheel cylinders.

• *Replaced right front Italian-made brake drum with one made in Germany.

• *Replaced generator.

• Replaced all five white wall tires with new Firestone F560 155R15 black walls from Coker Tire Co. 20 PSI front; 30 PSI rear; 55 foot pounds of torque

• *Replaced all retainer clips that hold hubcabs to wheels (5 per wheel x 5 wheels)

• Replaced dashboard grab bar above glove box

• *Replaced carburetor

• *Replaced clutch cable (original cable finally broke); replaced sound deadening material under front seat floor mats

• Replaced brake boot and both heater knobs on center console

• Replaced battery

• *Replaced points and condenser; adjusted timing. Replaced valve cover gaskets. Replaced oil (2.6 US quarts of O'Reilly straight SAE 30 Heavy Duty motor oil) at 3,902 miles.

• Engine developed a sputtering, as if carburetor was being starved of good gas, despite always using Shell's highest grade octane. Suspecting it was simply last year's old gas causing the problem, added 12 oz bottle of gas antifreeze (dry gas) to the tank.

• *Replaced wheel bearing seals in both front wheels. Torqued lugnuts to 80 Nm (Newton-metres).

• *Replaced all four spark plugs (NGK BR6HS #3922) at 4,090 miles


Email: 1855mac@gmail.com

This web page is supported with private funds. It is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not associated with Volkswagen, Volkswagen Group, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, VW AG, Volkswagen of America, or any similar agents. The terms "VW" and "Beetle" are trademarked by Volkswagen AG, and used here only for descriptive purposes. This web page focuses on the Volkswagen Beetle and its predecessor, the KdF-Wagen. I intentionally do not include the history of the Nazi staff car Kübelwagen nor the Nazi amphibious vehicle Schwimmwagen (Schwimmfähig), both of which were early cousins to the KdF-Wagen. My thanks to all whose photos appear here, and to all whose writings helped build this summary of the Volkswagen Beetle.