A Brief History
On February 17, 1972, misers, poor people, chicks, and Adolf Hitler were all vindicated!
Digging Deeper
Digging deeper, we find that on this date, the Volkswagen Beetle became the best-selling car of all time with number 15,007,034 pulling it ahead of the Ford Model T.
Built to satisfy Adolf Hitler’s specifications for a “people’s car,” the Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. Designed to scoot along at 62 mph and to carry 2 adults along with 3 children, the Beetle was also required to have an air-cooled engine and to meet standards of reliability and easy maintenance. It also had to be cheap!
The original Beetle cost the average German about 30 weeks’ income, which does not sound that inexpensive today, but apparently back then it was, especially with the payment plan being authorized by the government.
After World War II, the Beetle became an export item and was sent all over the world and became especially popular in the United States where it was the darling of beatniks, hippies, surfers, youngsters, frugal types and, of course, chicks!
Girls and women thought the Beetle was adorable and by the late 1960s, it was not uncommon to see large, colorful flowers painted on the carriage of urban princesses. A convertible model was even made.
If there was any doubt about the appeal of the Beetle (or “Bug” as some call it) to the fairer sex, Volkswagen included a receptacle for a small vase in the dashboard of the new Beetle that was introduced in 1994.
Not counting the new Beetle (a front-wheel-drive car based on the Golf), the original Beetle ended production in 2003 with over 21 million having been made, the all-time automotive record. Toyota may claim that more Corollas have been sold, but that is just a name and not a continuous design type, as was the Beetle.
Today the Beetle is an object of veneration by many, making this once cheap car highly collectible. Its popularity is evidenced by the motion pictures The Love Bug (1968) and its 4 sequels, starring Herbie in the title role.
Herbie proved so popular that an additional made-for-television film was produced as well as 5 episodes of Herbie the Matchmaker (1982). Disney even named 2 of its buildings at the All-Star Movie Resort after Herbie. The animated movie Cars (2006) featured Beetles as every insect character in the movie.
Question for students (and subscribers): Still not totally convinced the Beetle is a chick car? Well, even Barbie had one! Please share your Beetle stories in the comments section below this article.
If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!
Your readership is much appreciated!
Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Gregg, Tosh, John Muir, et al. How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot. Rick Steves, 2001.
Hiott, Andrea. Thinking Small: The Long, Strange Trip of the Volkswagen Beetle. Ballantine Books, 2012.
Rieger, Bernhard. The People’s Car: A Global History of the Volkswagen Beetle. Harvard University Press, 2013.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1251 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=1251">31 Comments
It is definitely an iconic car and probably everyone would be able to recognize one. The specs that the car was required to meet is why it was so reliable and would make a great car for anyone to drive.
I had no idea that the beetle was such a popular car, outselling the Ford Model T and producing more than Toyota’s Corolla. I also find it ironic that Adolf Hitler specifications.
It’s interesting to learn how the popular car originated. I still see these cars being driven around today!
I did not know that the beetle was designed for Adolf Hitler. It makes sense that it was designed then because Germany was still recovering from the first world war and they needed cheaper yet reliable cars.
I thought this article was very interesting because I didn’t know the beetle was one of the most popular cars ever made. Who would have ever thought that it was designed by Adolf Hitler.
The beetle was a very good made car. The engine would last forever, which probably made it so popular. It was not big enough for most large families andd made a lot of noise, but it was an iconic car for its time period.
These cars are still popular today, but I had no idea they were the most popular. I used to have one for my barbie, but with a big family, we were never able to have one in real life.
I did not know how popular the beetle was. I see them today with eye lashes put on them for decoration; however, I did not know they were popular and made by Hitler.
I find it really interesting that the Beetle was made by Hitler and how popular they became. I was never a fan of the Beetle because personal I found them to very ugly cars and laughed when I saw one. They were popular back then and from seeing so many on the roads I’m guessing they are still popular today.
My family has always driven Volkswagen and I am surprised to learn of the popularity of the beetle. I had no idea that it was essentially built for Hitler and surpassed the Ford Model T. The New Beetle does look a lot like the older models. The Germans really know what they’re doing.
It was interesting to find out that it was designed to fit the needs of Adolf Hitler, as well as almost seeing the evolution of the model. Interesting article!
I love the Beetle! I’ve always wanted one as a kid. It’s interesting to see the history and the development of the Beetle from then to now.
i love this car i wanted one when i was little and i still want one now they are so awesome and i hope i can get one soon!
I did not know that the Beetle was designed for Hitler. I also find it interesting that they outnumbered the Ford Model T in sales.
I knew Volkswagen was German made, but did not realize the Beetle was designed for Hitler. That being said, this was a very interesting article to look at.
I had no idea that Hitler played a role in designing the Beetle. However I knew Volkswagen was big in the 60’s and 70’s with the hippies.
This was interesting because I didn’t know that the car was designed for Hitler. Personally, I’ve never liked this style of car, so I don’t understand why everyone wants one.
I did not know that the beetle was designed for Hitler kind of weird. But cool looking car if you ask me.
I found this really interesting. I had no idea that the beetle was designed for Hitler.
I found this an interesting article. I didn’t know the car was made for Hitler, and I wish a car still only took about 30 weeks of work to pay off, instead of years.
I found this article interesting. I didn’t know such an iconic car was created for Hitler.
I wish i could pay off a car that fast!
I find it interesting that Hitler was the one who came up with the idea for “the people’s car”. Assisting in the design of a the beatle
The Beetle being thought about by Hitler definitely catches your eye. The beetle has definitely made a name for itself just based on the shear number of cars there are out.
This was a very interesting article. I thought it especially interesting that Hitler of all people came up with the idea for the beetle. It just goes to show you that people of all kinds can surprise you.
The Beatle was a great car, but I think the Prius will take its place one day.
Learned a lot from such a short article. Before reading this all i knew about the Beetle was when i saw one i yelled the color and punched the closest person to me. Did not know it had anything to do with Hitler, or it was made to be a “peoples car”.
Its astounding that Nazi propaganda reached all the way to automobiles- I would have liked to see a VW commercial.
Considering how anti-German the United States was during world war II, it’s surprising we even accepted any imports of the beetle. Even things such as sauerkraut were renamed to be victory cabbage, to downplay any and all German culture our country had at the time.
I had no idea that the automobile model that was produced more than any other was the beetle! Sure it is definitely a chick car, but I still get some excitement every time I see a beetle on the road because that means anyone in the car with me has a free punch on their arm coming their way.
I can see how the beetle was deemed the best selling car of all time because of the affordability and ease of manufacturing. This aside of course, from the “cuteness” factor of many women as well as general economists.