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The Volkswagen Beetle is a two-door, rear-engine economy car, intended for five occupants but was restricted to four people in some countries. The Beetle was known by many names — it was officially the Volkswagen Type 1. Informally in German it was der Käfer (meaning "beetle"). In parts of the English-speaking world, it was known as the Bug and by many other nicknames in other languages.
The Volkswagen Beetle's origin began as Hitler's 'people car' and would go on to become an all-time best seller and a cult classic. The Beetle was manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003.
On 30 July 2003 at 9:05 a.m., at the Puebla plant in Mexico, Volkswagen produced the final Type 1, after 21,529,464 examples were produced globally during its tenure. Its production span of 65 years is the longest of any single generation of automobile, and its total production of over 21.5 million is the most of any car of a single platform. To celebrate the occasion, Volkswagen marketed a series of 3,000 Beetles as "Última Edición" (Final Edition).
The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car introduced by Volkswagen in 1997, drawing heavy inspiration from the exterior design of the original Beetle. Unlike the original Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front, driving the front wheels, with luggage storage in the rear. It received a facelift in 2005 and was in production until 2011.
Next up, Volkswagen introduced (A5) in 2011 for the 2012 model year, as the successor to the New Beetle launched in 1997.
Finally, on 13 September 2018, Volkswagen announced that the Beetle production would end in July 2019. The final third generation Beetle (a denim blue coupe) finished production on 9 July 2019, and was presented on the assembly line the next day. The model was officially retired at a ceremony in Puebla City later that day.
Specs (Some estimated):
Cost about $5,700 in 1978 (equal to $27,958 in 2025)
1,585 cc (96.7 ci) Air Cooled OHV Flat 4 Cylinder Engine, 7.3:1 Compression, Bosch mechanical fuel injection
Bore: 85.5 mm (3.35 in) Stroke: 69 mm (2.72 in)
48 hp @4,200 rpm, 75 lb-ft @2,200 rpm, Maximum rpm: About 4,700 rpm
4 speed manual, 3.875:1 axle ratio
2,129 lb (966 kg) curb weight
Performance (Stock, estimated):
0-60 mph: 17.9 seconds
1/4 mile: 21.1 seconds @64 mph
Top speed: ~84 mph (135 kph) @4,300 rpm
Modifications:
Lowered suspension
Custom wheels
Aftermarket radio and speakers
Muscle & Speed / 1960–1979
More from the collection.
1960 Ford Fairlane “The Spaceliner” Custom Concept
1960 Frontenac Falcon Ranchero
1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Convertible
1963 Chevrolet Bel Air 5th Gen.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window C2
1963 Chrysler 300 Pace Setter Convertible
1963 Ford Galaxie 500/XL Convertible
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible
1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible (4th Generation)
1965 Dodge Coronet A/FX Kentucky Colonels
