The Birth of the People’s Car
It may not be known to many, but little Herbie started out as a Porsche. In the 1930s, Ferdinand Porsche was already designing economy cars, but could not find the proper funding fro research and production.
Then Adolf Hitler came, with several sketches of what he called as the “Volks-Wagen,” which literally means “the people’s car.”(Yes, you read that right: Adolf Hitler provided the concept for the Volkswagen.) The Fuhrer asked Mr. Porsche to make a car that could carry two adults and three children at a speed of 62mph. And so, the Volkswagen Beetle was born.
It was initially named as the Porsche 60, and was available at the very low price of 990 Reichsmark (less than $200 at that time). The Porsche 60 is very similar to what the Beetle looks like now. Perhaps the only difference is with the engine and the windows. It was the most popular car for the Kraft durch Freude (Strength through Joy), the leisure organization of the Nazi party.
Rejections and Success
After the war, Volkswagen has been completely stripped off of Germany’s hands. Companies in the UK, however, would not dare produce the Beetle, saying that it was ‘unattractive to the average buyer.’ (How unlucky for them.) And so Volkswagen survived by making its signature cars for the British army instead.
A few changes were made here and there, and by 1950s it was the top selling foreign car in the United States. It was so popular, that by 1970s, Beetle production rose up to 16 million.
The Volkswagen Beetle’s success was mostly due to its simple and simplistic nature. It is a plain, no-nonsense family car, which has a very original look. The Beetle was so original that it was considered as the world’s best selling car design. It has been changed a few times, but only with very minor changes, such as the windows. The engine remained almost the same: the ‘flat four’ engine was so economic and yet still powerful that it was even considered as the engine of a mini-aircraft.
The Beetle as a Classic
Even though the production of the Beetle reached up to a million, it did not bring down its capacity to be a classic car for collectors. The reason for this is simple: the Volkswagen Beetle carries with it a vast amount of culture and history. It started as a dictator’s dream car, then became a world-famous family car, and then became the car for the hippie generation. Add to that its capacity to win races (and even have a racing class of its own).
The Volkswagen Beetle is no muscle car. It is not even an elegant sedan. But what it has is an unmistakable simple design–a design that defined the Beetle itself. And with its rich history, the Volkswagen Beetle is undeniably, and truly, a classic car.
#1 by joe america on October 20, 2009 - 9:01 pm
I would go with the Classic Car Insurance because other wise you might not get as much as you want for your car if it is ever totaled or stolen. I know some classic car insurance is stated amount & regular insurance is ACV (Actual Cash Value)
#2 by VICTOR400HP on October 20, 2009 - 9:05 pm
thanks man is a nice car
#3 by iusemiro on October 20, 2009 - 9:43 pm
good shot of the kid blowing bubbles
#4 by Ronnie B on October 20, 2009 - 9:51 pm
I have read in many magazines including Hot Rod and Street Rodder….. that "The Golden era" which ended 1973 is the cutoff of a classic. Sorry 1986 is not a classic year….. even though many nice cars came out of the later 70's and 80's…… I see classics as 1960's and earlier….. nothing special about a 1979 mercuy marquis……
#5 by inkey2 on October 21, 2009 - 1:18 am
its either a 1955 or 56 chevy…..the two years were similar looking to the untrained eye
#6 by fluffy1 on October 21, 2009 - 3:22 am
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#7 by prntsc on October 21, 2009 - 4:20 am
1950 or 149 ford!
#8 by egeo32 on October 21, 2009 - 10:38 am
muito legal!!!
#9 by Abby on October 21, 2009 - 8:23 pm
I'm not sure what you mean by 'classic' so I'll just assume older than what is currently a daily driver on the road and maybe a bit of "muscle". If that is your definition, I would suggest you first visit eBay Motors and scroll through the makes and models. Ford Mustangs circa 1964 1/2 to 1973 have good appeal and parts for restoration are readily available. If you or someone you know is "into" restoration, old mustangs can be had relatively cheap, and in running condition. Then, they can be customized or the engine upgraded with performance features to make a true muscle machine. Pontiac Firebirds, Chevrolet Camaros, and others are out there but the more authentic and number matching, the more expensive the hobby. If you're talking 1930'ish cars, then that is another story. Good luck in your quest.
#10 by danielmbyrne on October 22, 2009 - 6:00 pm
craigslist, myspace classifieds, and ebay
#11 by nick95playa on October 22, 2009 - 8:49 pm
WHAT IS THE BLACK ONE AT 1:58 ANYONE?
#12 by argh.pirate on October 23, 2009 - 1:26 am
Depending on the year of the car, Broadway Title in Alabama can get you a legal title. Alabama used Bill of Sales for many years. I know for any Antique or
Vintage automobile and also for some classic cars they can get you documents to legally title your car. You can look them up on the internet and they will show what years they can title cars. I have used them several times to get me titles for 1920 and 1930 cars and cut through all the red tape most states put you through to title classics or antiques with no titles. It costs about $100 to $150 dollars to get all the paper work, but they provide everything you need.
#13 by inkey2 on October 23, 2009 - 8:36 am
to VICTOR400HP: its a Studebaker. The model is the Avanti. Has a fibre glass body just like the Corvette
#14 by Eric on October 23, 2009 - 12:00 pm
restoring cars is about what you love
it is not a money making endeavor or a wise investment
find a car that you've always wanted
the hours and time you spend will not be worth the money you'll get at the end
the things you learn along the way or the time spent with you Father will probably be the biggest benefits.
VWs are bringing really high prices these days.
I've always wanted to own a 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado convertible ever since seeing the Clint Eastwood movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.
#15 by biler123DOTdk on October 23, 2009 - 2:44 pm
I gave this the best rating. Super…
#16 by Eli on October 23, 2009 - 11:28 pm
Hi. It basically depends on how much u want to spend to restore it. Concours to keep in a museum, show car or driver. I always restore to "driver" quality……i am a working man, just as long as i get in the show in my ride i am happy. Many old cars inspire "emotions" but only a few are worth what you put into them or more. The "JH" is a neat car……keep your costs low and just restore it enuf to drive and enjoy. I have always had a classic "toy" car. I may win a trophy here and there for something meaningless at a car show…….i don't really care; i drive my trophy!!!! Just get it running and driving safely, maybe slap on a new coat of paint, enjoy it as much as u can as cheaply as you can……and sell it to someone who makes you a rediculous offer; if u get lucky. Good Luck!
#17 by jacquebalderas on October 24, 2009 - 1:59 am
I would suggest that you have your car appraised and then insure it on a stated value policy through a mainstream insurance company. Ask your insurance agent about stated value policies to see of they have them available.
#18 by tommylord on October 24, 2009 - 7:23 am
Looks like a 55 or 56 Oldsmobile