Volkswagen Classic and Vintage Club of Australia Presents the 70^th Birthday of the Volkswagen Beetle Volkswagen. A most unlikely story. The Volkswagen Beetle was launched on May 26^th 1938. Designed by the brilliant Dr. Ferdinand Porsche on the orders of the infamous Adolph Hitler, it was to be an important part of the Nazi recreational movement called “Kraft Durch Freide”. This translates as “Strength Through Joy” and so the car was to be named the KDF Wagen. The name, “Volkswagen” was its working project title and through luck and the fact Hitler was distracted by his war plans, “Volkswagen” became its name. Very few “Beetles” were produced during the war. After the war the Wolfsburg factory fell within the British occupied zone. The British army recommended production of the Beetle and the rest as they say, is history. The classic Beetle shape remained virtually unchanged from 1938 to when the last Beetle came off the production line in Mexico in 2003. During that time 21,529,464 were built. See a display of classic and vintage Volkswagens. On Saturday May 24^th from 9 am to 5 pm there will be a display of classic and vintage Volkswagens on the forecourt of Darling Harbour. These cars come from Volkswagen clubs and private collectors. Many are rare including an early “split rear window” model from the early 1950s. The event is free to the public. For more information: Ray Black, President, Volkswagen Classic and Vintage Club of Australia 0419 200 517 Return to Home Page