Despite the Beetle’s reputation as a lovable and hippie car, many individuals refuse to like the original Beetle, mainly because it was conceived by Hitler. As a solution to Germany’s unemployment crisis, Hitler came up with the idea to build the autobahns (special roads) for motor vehicles. He got to work on producing the “people’s car” that the average person would be able to afford. Ferdinand Porsche was tasked for the design and engineering of such a car. Hitler said the Beetle must have a top speed of 62 miles per hour, achieve more than 40 mpg, be able to transport a family (two adults and three children), and its engine must be air-cooled. It was then Porsche decided the Beetle should be rear wheel drive and rear engined. In 1938, production for the Beetle commenced. However, it was not until after 1945 that the Beetle really took off. During this time period, the Beetle was known as the Type 1, and “The Volkswagen”. Continue reading
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