Volkswagen Ladybird - SpeedyLook encyclopedia

History

In 1931, Ferdinand Porsche entrusted the study of a project named Volkswagen to the German firm Zundapp which made 3 prototypes.

The May 28th 1937, the company Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung of Deutschen Volkswagens GMBH (literally Company for the preparation of the Car of the German People ) was founded in Germany. The production of the car initially began beginning 1938 to fine soldiers.

Wanted by Hitler, of which it drew itself a vague draft, in order to give to the German people a car being able to transport to 100 km/h a family of 4 people by consuming 7 liters to the 100 for less than 1.000 Reichmarks , the car was developed during the Nazi Germany by Ferdinand Porsche. Ferry Porsche, the son of Ferdinand Porsche, will use besides the base of the Volkswagen to carry out the Porsche 356 after the war. The Germans could save on a separate account for then being entitled to the car. However, the factories of Wolfsbourg, where it was to be built, were used very quickly during the war to build there, either cars for the people, but of the military versions of the ladybird (Kübelwagen and Schwimmwagen). Some civil versions will leave all the same the production lines between 1940 and 1945. It is after the Second world war, when the Britanniques reopened the factory, that the production really starts again. This one does not cease increasing; the car is in permanent evolution and is exported in the whole world since 1951. Two versions of Cabriolet are available starting from 1949, versions manufactured by the Hebmüller carriage-builders and Karmann. On the 2 versions, only will remain Karmann, the Hebmüller factory will stop its production in 1950 following a fire, 696 specimens only will have been produced.

In 1955, the factory of Wolfsburg celebrates his millionth car manufactured. One will distinguish various evolutions which characterize the ladybird of which: Split Window (1938/1953) then the Oval (1953/1957) represented by their very characteristic shapes of rear window.

Also the models DeLuxe, Standard, Export appear motorized by one 1.200 cm ³. In 1966, it is the arrival awaited of the engine 1.300 cm ³ then 1.500 cm ³. In August 1967 of the major changes appear on the Ladybird: The front wings change and accommodate vertical round fires, and either according to the shape of the wing like before, an external gasoline filling, a power supply in 12 volts (models 1300 and 1500 only), larger rear lights (models 1300 and 1500), avoids shocks also larger (models 1300 and 1500), etc

In the middle of the Years 1960, the company Volkswagen AG was founded and privatisée partly.

With the beginning of the year 1970, appearance of the models 1302 and 1303, this recognizable last with its Windshield bent and its cap before short.

January 19th, 1978, it: 16255500e and last Ladybird produced in Germany leave the factory of Emden.

The last ladybird Karmann convertible was produced on January 10th, 1980, thus marking the final adoption of the production of Ladybirds in Germany.

The last Ladybird left the Mexican factories of Puebla the July 30th 2003.

The Volkswagen New Beetle, produced since 1998, takes again the modernized drawing of the Ladybird but while positioning on a higher level of range.

Some figures

It was on the whole produced with more: 21529464 specimens throughout the world.

It exceeds on February 17th 1972 the record of the Ford T and with: 15007034 units, it becomes the car most sold with the world ever produced.

Name of the car

See also: List of the nicknames of Volkswagen Type 1

The Volkswagen Coccinelle bore originally the name of KdF-Wagen , where Wagen means “car” and KdF Kraft durch Freude , i.e. literally “Force by the joy”.

The officially named car Volkswagen (it was very a long time the single model of the company) was quickly called in the majority of the countries where it was distributed; for example: Ladybird in French, German Käfer in , Beetle or Bug in English, Vocho with the Mexico, Fusca with the Brazil.

It carries number 60 in the nomenclature of the studies Porsche.

Cinema

The celebrity of the Ladybird is consolidated by a series of films carried out by the studios Disney. The principal heroin of these films is a white Ladybird endowed with life and of which the spectator follows the adventures all over the world.

The Saga of the Ladybird consists of five films, a telefilm and televised series.

Meetings

International meeting of VW Ladybirds to Castle-in Œx, in the Canton of Vaud, in Suisse
Of the meetings between clubs very often takes place, everywhere in France and in the world, in particular in Europe and in the USA.

For France, Super VW National takes place with the circuit of Thenay (Loir-et-Cher), with more than 2.000 Ladybirds and derived. But there is also the meeting of Menton (the Alpes-Maritimes) during August.

For Belgium, it is Bug Show which acts as national gathering, it takes place on the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps in the Ardennes Belgian and joined together impassioned of all Europe.

See too

External bond

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