A little automotive history

[Devil Doc]

On this day in 1972 the 15,007,034th Volkswagen Beetle rolled out of the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, surpassing the Ford Model T's previous production record to become the most heavily produced car in history. The Beetle or the "Strength Through Joy" car, as the Germans initially called it, was the brainchild of Ferdinand Porsche. He developed the Volkswagen on orders from the German government to produce an affordable car for the people. Developed before World War II, the Beetle did not go into full-scale production until after the war. It became a counter-culture icon in the U.S. during the 1960s largely because it offered an alternative to the extravagant American cars of the time. In 1998, Volkswagen released the "New Beetle" to rave reviews. The "Old Beetle," however, hasn't completely disappeared, as it is still being produced in Mexico.


Doc.

 

[AVB]

On July 30, 2003, the final original VW Beetle (No. 21,529,464) was produced at Puebla, Mexico, some 65 years after its original launch, and an unprecedented 58-year production run since 1945

 

[NullSmurf]

God, I have fond memories of rebuilding a type III engine on my living room floor while stationed in Groton CT in 1975. I used custom jugs with redesigned heads - can't remember exactly what, but that was on HOT engine when I was done. It still amazes me that people got 100K miles out of those mills with all the sloppy tolerances. That is, except for the block seam. That one was a bitch to break!

 

[BrownDevil]

Type 1s rule!!

I had a 2180cc with dual 44 Dellortos in my 62 rag. Keyword: Wheelie

Never could get my hands on a Notch

 

[MiamiCubano]

Speaking of Germany and automotive history...

I was always rather amazed at the anti-semetic history of the Ford Motor Corp, and, particularly Henry Ford. It was his viciously anti-semetic writings that, reportedly, had a profound influence on Adolf Hitler. The two also apparently had mutual admiration for each other, with the German gov't even awarding Henry Ford the German Cross/Eagle. Then there is also the issue of Ford (and GM as well) having foreign subsidiaries during the time (and prior to) WWII which basically created all manner of vehicles, including troop-transit vehicles for the Wehrmacht...it was during this time (1938) that Ford received the German Eagle mentioned above.

Anyways...a slight digression I guess. Thought it was of note to a thread such as this.

 

[AVB]

To add to MC's post above there is a book called "The American Axis" by Max Wallace that is a pretty interesting read on the subject of Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh and the Third Reich.