Volkswagen Beetle Standard

The humble Volkswagen beetle. Many have tried to create a great car, and many failed. Only a few succeeded, enter Ferdinand Porsche.

Dr. Porsche was one of the people who worked on designs for Mister Hitler when he requested a car that 'was big enough for a family and able to cruise at Autobahn speed.' He came up with the beetle or 'type 1' as it is known officially. His design was very simple to manufacture and in comparison to other ...
...as 'How to keep your Volkswagen alive' by John Muir. I would suggest reading something like this before buying a car. There are enthusiasts and clubs all over the country and the world. Many clubs will have useful links to specialist dealers and garages for air-cooled Volkswagens.To find a local specialist I would reccomend having a look in one of the many magazines available or visiting www.volkszone.com

One has to decide which type ... more

The humble Volkswagen beetle. Many have tried to create a great car, and many failed. Only a few succeeded, enter Ferdinand Porsche.

Dr. Porsche was one of the people who worked on designs for Mister Hitler when he requested a car that 'was big enough for a family and able to cruise at Autobahn speed.' He came up with the beetle or 'type 1' as it is known officially. His design was very simple to manufacture and in comparison to other cars of the time, quite aerodynamic. The original shape was altered many times before the first cars that were sold came off the production line. The engine however was the same, a rear mounted horizontally opposed four cylinder. This engine had an aluminium crankcase and is famous for starting after many years of neglect. One of mine started after being stood outside over the winter! Others have been found in scrap yards and started easily and quickly after as much as 20 years! The windows were altered along with the shape of the engine lid, wings and lights. The KdF-wagen (Strength through Joy car) was the car that was seen by many at the Berlin motor show, 1939. As war broke out, the car was adapted for military use. The Kuebelwagen and Schwimmwagen were born from this. The Kuebelwagen was an all terrain version which was built on the chassis, but with raised suspension and a different body shape. The schwimmwagen was a waterproof body, with all terrain capabilities, even water, with its floating body and propellors. Few KdF wagens, around 650, were built on the raised chassis for Kommandeurwagens, the commander's car for transportation of important officials.

When the allies conquered Germany, they found the factory in Wolfsburg bombed and nearly completely destroyed. The
English decided to jump start the factory, re-building and finding plans for the 'type 1.' This became commonly known as the beetle. When Hirst was in control the factory began to produce cars. Slow at first, produciton climbed, and as the years passed changes were made to the shape of the car. The rear split window grew to a small oval, and then to a large rectangular shape. Side and front windows also grew along with other changes. The wings changed shape and the way the lights were mounted, at an angle at first to upright mountings. Rear lights also changed shape and form. Semaphores were used instead of indicators on early cars as well as different levels of trim and dash layout. With the mid-60's the bonnet and engine cover changed to become the rare collectors cars as production of these years was sparse.

As the models progressed, they expressed the different decades of production. Parts for nearly all years are freely available still. Engines can be bought brand new from suppliers. Stock and uprated parts can be purchased easily and cheaply, the car modifies easily and is a great car to learn on. The car is mostly spot-welded and bolted together, with the engine being attached with only four bolts! This led to the beetle, in all variants, from the 1200A through to the 1303s (With independant front and rear suspensions) being the best selling car of all time, with over 21million being sold. After production ceased in Germany, Mexican beetles were being produced until 2004 with fuel injected engines and galvonised bodies.

The car is strong as long as it is not rusty, and I can reccomend that if you decide to buy one, just buy a pretty one, which has a solid body, because engines are relatively cheap in comparison. Maintanence is easy, keep it filled with oil, love it and make sure that the spare tyre is well inflated as it pumps the water for screen wash! The car is great, fun to drive and can be upgraded or changed easily. An engine and gearbox change takes less than 10 unexperienced man hours working from an automotive manual, Haynes. Other, better books are available, such as 'How to keep your Volkswagen alive' by John Muir. I would suggest reading something like this before buying a car. There are enthusiasts and clubs all over the country and the world. Many clubs will have useful links to specialist dealers and garages for air-cooled Volkswagens.To find a local specialist I would reccomend having a look in one of the many magazines available or visiting www.volkszone.com

One has to decide which type of car they want when they think of buying a beetle. You can get anything from 1200 to 1600 in a stock car, with varying lavels of trim. Modified cars could have anything from 1641cc engines to 2.3 litre monsters from later Volkswagen cars. What to look out for is good heater channels (The bit under where the door closes) and any other rust. Bets are that if the heater channels are rusted, its in for a big restoration. Check well under the car for rust, dont be afraid to take a screwdriver and poke under there, if there are holes coming easily, just walk away unless you know what you are doing. Spend less time on the engine, as they are built like bricks, one could check the oil, and check for end float, on the bottom pulley wheel. Too much deflection is bad, but a little is okay. These aircooled engines are good, and can be modified easily, so maybe take a look for anything that doesn't look right. However it could be new, as parts are available. Wings, lights and other peripherals are easy to find, so if there is a dent in a wing, don't worry too much. Special edition cars are available, but these may want to be your second or third beetle!

In all it is not just a car you are buying, it is a lifestyle. People will wave to you, not just in other beetles, but everybody. They are cheap and easy to maintain and run. And as anybody will tell you, if they've had a beetle they will want to tell you all about it. If you are looking for a beetle be very careful, as you could get your fingers burnt. Try some kind of enthusiast, as they will most likely be honest and be able to give advice.

Suitable for everyone who wants to be part of a culture, male and female, young or not so young! Just get out there and be an individual. Your car, your rules - however you want it to be 

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