VW KAEFER parts catalogue

VW BEETLE TYPE 1 parts: find out more! Which ones to choose, when to change them, and how much they cost

Volkswagen Käfer (Beetle)

The history of the legendary Volkswagen Beetle, originally Käfer, began in 1938, and the last copy of the car was produced in 2003. This car became the first car in history to sell over 20 million copies. In the list of the most-sold cars of the XX century this model took the fourth place. Production of Volkswagen Beetle in different years was arranged in Germany, Belgium, then-Yugoslavia, Ireland and Finland, and also outside Europe.

History of Volkswagen Beetle creation

The history of creation of Volkswagen Beetle cars originates in the 30s of the XX century, when Ferdinand Porsche was asked to design an inexpensive car that would be affordable for any family. The first prototypes of the model had no rear windows: it allowed to reduce production costs as much as possible. But subsequently it was decided to abandon this idea. In 1938 the first cars, known as KdF-Wagen, were produced. After the war, the model received the names Volkswagen Typ 1 or Volkswagen Käfer.

Mass release of Volkswagen Beetle cars started in 1946. The car had a sloping roof, round headlights, wide wings protruding beyond the edges of the body, a chrome plated line in the center of the boot and mouldings on each side. In the first cars, direction indicators were mechanical, and the rear window consisted of two parts of an oval shape. In the line of bodies, a sedan and a cabriolet were presented.

Volkswagen Beetle cars were simple and unpretentious in design; they had a sturdy body, good technical specifications and road performance, quite good for the time, therefore they won popularity worldwide. In 1955, the millionth copy of Volkswagen Beetle was manufactured.

For years of production, principal specifications of the model were constantly improved. The design was modernized for several times. In 1953 the double rear window was replaced with the single glass so the visibility in the passenger compartment was increased. In 1957 front and rear windows were considerably increased in size. Rear lights were modernized at least seven times. After 1957, electric direction indicators were installed on cars. Also the dashboard was updated. In 1968 producers changed the shape of front wings, increased the size of automobile windows. In 1970 Volkswagen Beetle cars got a panoramic bent windscreen. In general, the design of the car throughout years of production was changed little.

In Germany production of these cars was carried out till 1978. After the termination of production in Europe, manufacture of the model was organized in Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Volkswagens Beetle were officially exported to Europe until 1985, and by private companies — till 1995. In July, 2003, the last Volkswagen Beetle car was produced at the plant in Mexico. In honour of this event, a limited series of cars (3000 copies) under the name of Ultima Edition, were released. These cars were intended for sale in Mexico. In total for years of production, 21 529 464 Volkswagens Beetle were released. The last car of Harvest Moon Beige colour is stored in the Automuseum of the city of Wolfsburg.

Volkswagen Beetle in the markets of the different countries

There were different versions of the name of the Volkswagen Beetle car for the different countries, but it is known for the most part as Volkswagen Beetle.