Volkswagen Beetle Last Edition
The Volkswagen Type 1, more affectionately known as the Beetle, Fusca, Coccinelle, Vocho, Bug, Volky or Käfer (German), was a compact car produced by Volkswagen until 2003. Despite the names "Beetle" and "Bug" being quickly adopted by the public, it wasn't until 1967 that VW began using them in their marketing materials. Prior to 1967, it was referred to in Europe either as the "Type I" or as the 1200 (twelve-hundred), 1300 (thirteen-hundred) or 1500 (fifteen-hundred), numbers which indicated its engine size in cubic centimetres. In 1998, VW introduced the "New Beetle" (built on a Volkswagen Golf platform), which had major similarities to the first model. In an international poll for the award of the world's most influential car of the twentieth century the Beetle came fourth after the Ford Model T, the Mini and the Citroën DS.
The Beetle can be traced as far back as 1925, when Béla Barényi first presented his concepts to the Maschinenbauanstant Wien. Other strong influences were drawn from the 1931 Tatra T97, and the 1931 Porsche Typ 12. In 1933, Adolf Hitler and Ferdinand Porsche established a plan to develop a 'Volks-Wagen' ('People Car') which was to comfortably fit two adults and three children, at a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and at an affordable price of 990 reichsmarks—which was equal to one-third of the people's weekly pay. An advertisement in 1936 proclaimed "Five mark a week you must put aside - If in your own car you want to ride!"
"The People's Car"Be part of history: The Last Edition Volkswagen Beetle is here! Get your collectible Last Edition posters, mouse pads, t-shirts or calendars now and show your love for this timeless classic. Help us celebrate the last of the Beetles. Get yours before it's gone forever!
