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Post War Volkswagen Beetle Type 1

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After the war a Morgenthau Plan was introduced, designed to take away Germany’s capability to wage war. This plan involved the dismantling of the Wolfsburg factory in order to be shipped to Britain. None of the British car manufactures that went to look at he factory and the cars that it had produced were interested in utilising the technology or designs. Their reasons included the Beetles failure to comply with fundamental technical requirements of a motors car, the unattractive shape and to build the car would be uneconomic.

A British army officer by the name of Major Ian Hirst was given the task to re-build the factory and in doing so persuaded the British to order 20,000 cars. By 1946 the factory was producing 1000 cars a month. The former Opel manager called Heinz Nordhoff was appointed director of the Volkswagen Wolfsburg factory and production of the Beetle dramatically increased and within a decade one million Beetles had been produced. The Beetle had 33 horsepower and had a top speed of 71mph. The Beetle could reach 60 mph in 27.5 seconds and could return 36 mpg. The Beetles primary rivals at the time were the Citroen 2CV and the Morris Minor both of which were comprehensively outclassed by the Beetle. The convertible Beetle was designed by Karmann and first produced in Osnabruck. Wihelm Karmann presented the convertible Beetle to Volkswagen at the Wolfsburg factory in 1948 and production of the convertible Beetle began in 1949.

From 1950 onwards the Beetle underwent minor changes. In 1951 Volkswagen designed a 1.3 ltr Diesel engine. Only two were manufactured one of which was fitted onto a Beetle. In 1953 the small oval two piece rear windows was replaced by a large single piece window. The Beetle was sold in Britain in 1953. 1954 saw a power rise from 33 bhp to 40 bhp thanks to a 2mm extra bore and a re-designed crankshaft. The compression ratio’s were progressively raised as the octane ratings of fuel raised continually during the 50’s and 60’s. In 1957 a even larger full width rear Window was fitted replacing the oval window previously fitted.

Having paid 3,000,000 Deutsche Marks to the Czechoslovakia Tatra company in 1961 due to a lawsuit issued by Tatra some years earlier Volkswagen were left with little development money and therefore extended the Beetle production life. Volkswagen made several attempts at producing new vehicles that utilised the Type 1 chassis. For example the Type 3 model was introduced in 1961 which included 3 variants the fastback, Notchback and Squareback. These utilised the Type 1 mechanics and chassis however they were overshadowed by the Beetle’s quirky appeal.

In 1964 a wider licence plate light cover was fitted. Additional changes were made in 1964 which included extending the height of the side windows and slight curved front windscreen. Volkswagen decided to increase the power of the Beetle by replacing he 1.2 ltr engine with a 1.3ltr unit. Significant changes to the engine occurred in 1967. The Beetle sported a 1.5 ltr OHV engine which resulted in a power increase to 54 bhp @ 4,200 rpm and 77lb/ft @ 2,600 rpm. Surprisingly the name Beetle was never actually used by Volkswagen to label their cars however in 1967 Volkswagen did use the name Beetle in various marketing advertisements in the USA.

Further changes were made to the US Beetle models. Voltage and wattage were increased along with a larger clutch disc. The braking system was improved and standard equipment included two speed windscreen wipers, reversing lights and a driver’s armrest and a passenger’s side exterior mirror. During 1968 the headlights were moved further forward therefore sitting more vertical on the front vendors. Volkswagen tried again in 1969 to manufacture a car that utilised the underpinnings of the type 1. The type 4 was born. Volkswagen introduced many upgrades for the type 4, including a monocoque construction, a more powerful fuel injected engine and the option of a automatic gearbox. Sales in comparison to the Beetle were poor and Volkswagen ceased production of the type 4 in 1974.

The ‘Marathon’ also known as the ‘super beetle’ was Volkswagen’s first limited edition Beetle. Manufactured in 1971, the vehicle featured a bespoke Marathon blau metallic paint. 15 inch 10 spoke steel wheels, tapered exhaust pipe ends and fog lights adorned the exterior. Interior trim changes included a new gear knob and walnut dashboard inserts. The Beetle’s suspension received an upgraded in the form of MacPherson struts. The front of the car was slightly enlarged to allow the spare tyre to lie flat. In 1973 the super Beetle was fitted with a curved windscreen. By 1973 over 16 million Beetles had been manufactured and by 1992 over 21 million. Mimicking the Type 81 military vehicle Volkswagen produced a new military version of the Beetle called the type 181 which was used during the cold war in the 70’s.

In 1976 the hardtop super Beetle and 1300 were dis-continued and replaced by a superior standard beetle sporting a 1600 cc engine, independent rear suspension and front disc brakes replaced the drums. Indicators were relocated to the front bumpers and the elephant style rear lights were added and rubber inserts were added to the bumpers. The convertible beetle remained a super Beetle until 1979. The convertible super Beetle saw minor cosmetic changes including new paint schemes such as the Champagne Edition and Epilogue Edition. The last convertible Beetle rolled off the production lines in Germany in 1980. However Mexico continued to manufacture the Beetle until the all new Volkswagen Beetle was introduced in 2003.

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